Ancient Wonders & Wellness in Crete
May 09 – May 15, 2026
$2,899 per person based on double occupancy
$3,449 per person based on single occupancy
Deposit amount of $500 per person is due no later than December 9, 2025
Final payment is due no later than February 9, 2026
Welcome to Crete where you will experience the largest island in Greece. This 7-day journey will allow you to explore the must see areas in Crete, an island with over 160 miles of beaches!
Enjoy cooking lessons that showcase some of the most authentic meze dishes while you take in these remarkable coastlines. In addition to hiking, you will also visit a winery, see the island from the water on a catamaran cruise and learn about the Minoan history while visiting ancient ruins!
Day 1 - Arrival
Welcome to Greece! Your journey will start in Crete, the largest and most populous of the 230 inhabited Greek islands. Upon arrival at Heraklion International Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing at your accommodation before joining your group for a celebratory welcome dinner.
Day 2 - Cooking Class
After a wellness activity, breakfast and morning in Heraklion, you will be transferred to a traditional Cretan Village for a local and authentic cooking lesson. Learn about the local ingredients and recipes as you sample fresh produce and savor the fruits of your efforts at lunch. Transfer back to the hotel for relaxation on property or spend a few hours at the beach. Later in the evening, enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Day 3 - Heraklion
After a wellness activity and breakfast at your hotel, you’ll start the day by visiting Heraklion’s Archaeological Museum with one of the largest collections of Minoan artifacts in the world. This is an excellent crash course for the next stop located just outside of town: the 3,500-year-old Minoan palace of Knossos, a sprawling maze of royal chambers, grand staircases, storerooms, and workshops. This evocative Bronze Age site is believed to be Europe’s oldest city. A professional English-speaking guide will escort you on these visits.
From here, you'll head toward Heraklion's surrounding vineyards, where locals believe wine has been produced for several centuries. You'll then make your way to the traditional village of Archanes for free time to explore the town on your own. In the evening, dinner is included.
Day 4 - Mili Gorge Hike & Rethymno
Get ready for a beautiful hike in Crete! After breakfast and a wellness activity, you’ll head to the picturesque Mili Gorge, where you will embark on a two-hour hike.
Upon arrival, explore the lush natural beauty of Milis Gorge in Crete, where a delightful array of trees and flowers awaits. The hiking trail, spanning a manageable 1.24 miles, offers a scenic stroll through this picturesque landscape. Named after the nearly 30 historic water mills once scattered throughout the gorge, these mills served as essential tools for the local inhabitants, who worked as millers grinding wheat for nearby farmers.
Today, visitors can marvel at the remnants of these mills, with only one having been meticulously restored. This restoration provides a glimpse into the design and functionality of these historical structures, offering walkers a fascinating insight into their purpose. Additionally, the gorge is adorned with a continuous flow of water throughout the year, creating charming small cascades and ponds for an enchanting and tranquil experience. After the hike, return to Rethymno for leisure time and lunch before heading back to the hotel in the afternoon where the remainder of your day is at leisure.
Itinerary
Day 5 - Catamaran Cruise
Start your day off with a morning wellness activity and leisurely breakfast while enjoying the ocean view on the horizon. Later, transfer to the small fishing village of Bali. Upon arrival, board a 3-hour catamaran cruise to take in a fresh perspective of the island. The beautiful coastline and majestic shades of blue waters will leave you awestruck as you take in the cool ocean breeze. Enjoy drinks and fruits on the boat in addition to snorkeling equipment.Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure with dinner on the property.
Day 6 - Wine Tasting
After breakfast and wellness activity at the hotel, spend the rest of the morning at leisure to relax at the pool, sink your feet in the sand, or explore the town nearby as you pass through quaint shops and cafes. In the afternoon, we set out to learn about the process of making wine and olive oil with a wine tasting nearby. Learn about the different types of grapes native to the island of Crete.
Return to the hotel to relax and freshen up, before we head out to enjoy our farewell dinner. Take in the last sunset and your memories from the past week together.
Day 7 - Depart Crete
It's time to say farewell to Greece! Today, you'll savor one more breakfast in Crete before your transfer to the airport for your flight home.
