Archaeology and Walking in Hidden Crete

Special interest holiday with Jonathan Peat and Sevastianna Souki
Register interest now for June 2024


THE WEEK IN BRIEF

• Flights and transfers
• Accommodation and daily breakfast 
• Six walks escorted by Jonathan Peat and local archaeologist Sevastianna Souki, with transfers and lunch included
• All taxes and entrance fees
• Maximum 15 people 
• Please call to register your interest for 2024

It would be almost impossible (and a great shame!) to visit Crete without seeing some of its extraordinary archaeological treasures, each a powerful reminder of the island’s strategic importance at the crossroads of three continents. Successive civilizations have all left their mark, most notably the Bronze Age Minoans whose legacy includes ground-breaking technical innovations, magnificent artworks and of course its great cities and palaces, of which Knossos is an outstanding example. Our 3-centre tour takes in not just the mighty Knossos but also the Palace of Zakros, Kavousi village, the Toplou monastery and the archaeological museums at Sitia and Heraklion, the latter of which is regarded as one of the most important in Europe with its unrivalled collection of Minoan art.

Walking two to three hours each day you’ll journey through the archaeological highlights of Crete, with a natural emphasis on the Minoans but also glimpsing the influence of the Romans, Byzantines, Venetians and Turks, all the way to WWII when Toplou Monastery offered a refuge for Cretan resistance fighters. Led by our walking guide Jonathan Peat and local archaeologist Sevastianna Souki, the walks will take you well away from the beaten coach-tour paths and into the classic landscapes of Crete, with time to admire the fauna and flora and enjoy well-earned taverna and picnic lunches along the way.

THE ITINERARY

 

DAY 1 - Arrival

Fly to Heraklion airport and transfer to Kouremenos (2.5 - 3hrs). Meet your guides Jonathan and Sevastianna for drinks, dinner and an overview of the week’s program. Overnight Kouremenos.

DAY 2 - Zakros Gorge and the Palace of Zakros

An introduction to the Minoan period. Drive to Zakros (40mins) and walk down the spectacular Valley of the Dead to the Palace of Zakros. After visiting the site, enjoy a delicious taverna lunch by the sea. After lunch you can choose to relax in the sunshine, or take an optional guided tour around the remarkably intact remains of the Minoan city at Palekastro. Return to Kouremenos in the afternoon. Overnight Kouremenos. 

DAY 3 - Around Sitia

Morning visit to the Toplou Monastery (15min drive) and then on to Sitia to visit the archaeological museum for some insights into Minoan culture and everyday life. After a light lunch in Sitia, continue to the Minoan site at Petras (20min drive). Finish the day with a drive to Makrigialos (50mins), with time to swim and relax before dinner. Overnight Makrigialos.

  

DAY 4 - Pefki Gorge

Drive to Pefki for a visit to its small folklore museum and a quick refreshment before the walk down the dramatic gorge to Makrigialos, following the riverbed lined with pine trees and colourful oleander bushes. Seaside taverna lunch followed by a visit to a Roman villa in Makrigialos. Overnight Makrigialos.

DAY 5 - Kavousi and Gournia

Drive to Kavousi (40mins). Walk into the peaceful foothills of Mount Thripti to discover some fascinating Minoan villages and a 3,500-year-old olive tree. After lunch continue to Heraklion, stopping to visit Gournia, a late Minoan site and one of the few to have been fully excavated (1hr 15mins drive). Overnight in Heraklion.

DAY 6 - Knossos and Knossos Gorge

Drive to Knossos (30mins). Walk along the 6km Knossos Gorge, past the impressive Spilia aqueduct to the Palace of Knossos, the largest of all the Minoan settlements. The remains here were excavated over three decades and highlight some of the greatest Minoan architectural and technical innovations, including water and sewerage systems, skylights and private bathrooms. Taverna lunch and return to Heraklion to overnight.

 

DAY 7 - Heraklion

Morning walk to visit Heraklion's world-famous Archaeological Museum, followed by a city tour on foot and a taverna lunch. Free afternoon for shopping or further exploration. Farewell dinner and overnight in Heraklion.

 

DAY 8 - Departure

Transfer to Heraklion airport for the return flight to the UK.

YOUR GUIDES

 

About Jonathan Peat

Jonathan Peat is a qualified European Mountain Leader and has been hosting escorted walks in Greece, France and Spain for more than 30 years. The son of a Greek mother and Scottish father, he grew up in the UK and Greece and is fluent in both languages. In 1990 he was instrumental in setting up the walking programme for Simply Crete and lived on the island for many years, developing a special affinity for its culture, natural history and proud tradition of hospitality. His abundant knowledge affords our guests insights into aspects of the island that often go unseen and his natural enthusiasm for the Greek language and people, ensures a warm welcome from the locals wherever he goes. 

About Sevastianna Souki

Born and raised in Athens, Sevastianna studied archaeology at the University of Thessaloniki, and has worked as a professional guide for over 30 years. She fell completely in love with Crete on her first visit, and has lived and worked on the island for many years. Archaeology is her specialist subject, but she also has a passion for nature and feels very much at home in the mountains. She’s a veritable mine of information on all aspects of Cretan life, from its culture and traditions to its plants and flowers. To Sevastianna, guiding is the best job in the world, and she can’t imagine ever doing anything else.

* FITNESS GUIDE

 

GRADE 1

Up to 2 hours' walking, appropriate for those who take gentle regular exercise. Some inclines but nothing too taxing: mostly dirt roads or paved paths. Walking poles recommended for those who require extra stability.

 

GRADE 2

Up to 4 hours' walking, appropriate for those who are used to a little more rigorous exercise. Some steep inclines: mostly ancient unpaved paths. Good balance required as ground can be rocky.

 

GRADE 3

Up to 5 hours' walking, appropriate for those with good levels of basic fitness and plenty of stamina. More demanding terrain with steep unmade tracks which can be very rocky. Good balance and a head for heights required.

Quotes

  • "The walks themselves were well planned, pitched at just the right level, and packed with interest, whether it was regarding the local flora, the countryside in general or the history of the places visited. Every day brought new revelations, quirky details and warm hospitality..."

    Nigel Floyd – Arosmari Village Hotel, Crete, April 2022

  • " I was on a walking holiday led by Jonathan Peat, and it was a brilliant experience- Jonathan is so knowledgeable, helpful and caring, both for us as guests and for the success of the programme. The chosen walks gave us the best of the scenery and history, and the lunches were so fresh and delicious, especially the picnic organised by Miriam. I would love to come back next year and do it all again!"

    Louise Warburton – Arosmari Village Hotel, Crete, April 2022

  • "The walking holiday in Western Crete was everything we could have wished for. The guide and his wife were not only brilliant leaders and organisers but also inspiring, as were our fellow guests. We hope to return"

    Dorothy Garland – Arosmari Village Hotel, Crete, April 2022

 


Accommodation for the Archaeology and Walking tour is at Kouremenos Suites in Far East Crete, Palm Tree Suites - Artemis Hotel in Makrigialos (or similar) and Ibis Styles Hotel Heraklion. To register your interest for this holiday please call our Destination Specialists on 0203 839 4529.

 

Our walking itineraries may be subject to last-minute changes if conditions are unfavourable. Jonathan Peat also reserves the right to limit access to walks to those with the necessary levels of fitness and walking ability. To find out more about the basic fitness requirements for our walking holidays, please use the link below.

ALL WALKING HOLIDAYS IN CRETE