Crete is a much larger island than most people realize, needing several weeks to get a real taste of what it has to offer.
While on a cruise, I visited Heraklion and was impressed with the temple Knossos. While land excursions and tour cruises are nice, I now have 24 days to see and explore as much of the island as possible.
Days 1- 3
After landing in Heraklion, Heraklion airport we will hire a car and drive via VOAK/E75 and Epar.Od Neopolis-Cheronisou to Psychro Cave (The Cave of Zeus).Sometime after lunch we drive from the cave of Zeus for approximately 1.5 hrs to our hotel in Elounda (Agios Nicholaos area) via VOAK/E75/E090. We will spend 3 nights in Elounda/Agios Nicholaos.
Agios Nicholaos |  |
| Day 4-6
Leaving Agios Nicholaos we will drive north east to our hotel in Sitia, near Vai beach.
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 | Vai |
Day 7-9
Heading south from Vai, we will stop in Ierapetra for a few hours and then head west to Matala where famous folk singer Joni Mitchel lived for several months in the 70's.
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Matala |
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Day 10-12
We will drive from Matala to Rethimno where we will stay 3 nights. While there we will travel 30 km south to Plakias beach to do some bird-watching and via Epar.Od. Perivolias-Chromanastiriou for about 6km to Mili Gorge for some hiking
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Rethimno |
Day 13-15
We will stay at Viva Elafonisi in Plokamian which is about 6 miles from Elafonisi Beach. Across from the beach is a small island with a nature reserve that we plan to explore
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Elafonisi
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Day 16-17
Heading North on the Western Coast of Crete our destination will be Balos Lagoon and we will stay at the Balos beach hotel.
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Balos Lagoon |
Day 18-21
Heading South east we will stay in Chania. While there we will hike the Samaria Gorge.
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Chania
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Day 22-24
Heading east, our final destination in Crete will be Heraklion. While there we will visit the Temple Knossos
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Heraklion |
