Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Greece – Crete – Chania – Kapsaliana - Elounda
100% customisable for you
Bags packed, sunglasses on and passports at the ready: your holiday to the beautiful Greek island of Crete begins today. Head to the airport, whizz through security and board the four-hour flight to Chania, using the time to ease into holiday mode.
When you arrive, you’ll be privately transferred to your first hotel, where you’ll be staying for the next three nights. Spend the rest of the day settling into your charming surroundings – preferably with a good book and an ice-cold drink – before heading out for a relaxed dinner in a local restaurant.
Chania is chock-full of Cretan charm, so spend this morning discovering its historic and cultural riches on a walking tour through the Old Town. Boasting a number of multicultural influences, including Venetian, Ottoman and Jewish, this buzzing hub boasts everything from traditional tavernas to chic cafés.
Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, wander down the Old Town’s narrow alleyways, learning about the city’s architectural, cultural and culinary past. Along the way, stop at the Evraiki (Jewish) and Splantzia (Muslim) districts, marvelling at their simultaneous contrasts and similarities, then simply listen and learn as your guide points out their favourite restaurants, shops and museums. Be sure to jot down a few of their recommendations – that’s dinner sorted…
Don your seafaring caps: today’s all about boating. After a tasty breakfast, head to the Old Venetian port of Chania, hop aboard a sailing boat and set off across the Gulf of Chania, a sparkling stretch of sea lined with rugged coastline.
After soaking in the views, you’ll reach the neighbouring island of Agioi Theodoroi, a protected haven home to a variety of birdlife and herds of wild Cretan goats. Then, continue to the secluded Maherida beach, where you’ll be treated to a tasty lunch before an afternoon of sunbathing and swimming in the crystalline waters. Pure bliss.
It’s back to Chania this evening for dinner in another of our locally-recommended restaurants.
This morning, wave goodbye to Chania as you’re privately transferred back to the airport to pick up your trusty hire car. Hop in, hit play on our expertly curated destination playlist and head off to Kapsaliana, a one-and-a-half-hour drive away.
When you arrive, check into your new home-away-from-home and spend the rest of the afternoon settling in, whether you’d rather take a dip in the pool or indulge in a relaxing massage.
The next two days are all about slowing the pace and reconnecting with nature. This teeny traditional village is the perfect place to unwind away from the pressures of normal life, so spend your time here exactly as you please: lose yourself in a good book beneath the shade of fragrant orange trees, cool off with a swim in the hotel pool or head out for leisurely strolls through the countryside.
When you’re in the mood for a cultural interlude, we’ll arrange tours of the impressive Arkadi Monastery, a powerful symbol of Cretan history, and the ancient city of Eleftherna, where ongoing excavations continue to reveal layers of the island’s past.
This morning, bundle your bags in the car and drive just over an hour to the Knossos Archaeological Site, home to the largest and most refined Cretan Palace. Alongside a knowledgeable guide, explore this beautiful palace complex, weaving past colourful frescoes and visiting the impressive Throne Room.
Once you’ve been suitably wowed, hit the road again for another one-hour drive to Elounda, a postcard-perfect seaside town on Crete’s northern coast. Check into your hotel and treat yourself to a sundowner overlooking the beach – it doesn’t come much better than this.
Your final days in Crete strike a relaxed balance between coastal calm and gentle activity. Enjoy leisurely mornings soundtracked by the crashing of waves and spend lazy afternoons strolling down the beach, moving to the slow rhythm of the town.
If you’re keen to take to the water, head out on the water for another boat trip along the Cretan coast or try your hand at kayaking along the calm currents. Fancy exploring a little further afield? Visit Spinalonga, a small, uninhabited rocky island that was used as a leper colony in the 1900s and boasts an impressive Venetian fortress.
Evenings in Elounda are best spent in a local taverna, dining on super-fresh seafood with an ice-cold glass of wine in hand.
Sadly, it’s time to bid Crete farewell and begin your journey home. After a final leisurely breakfast this morning, set off on the one-and-a-half-hour drive to Heraklion airport, where you’ll drop off your hire car.
Whizz through security, enjoy some nibbles in the lounge and take the opportunity to stock up on any last-minute souvenirs before boarding your four-hour flight back to the UK, armed with a golden tan and a camera roll full of photos.
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
