Greece
Winter in Greece: The Magical Island of Crete
Program No. 22935RJ
From its arid east to the lush forests of the west, Crete beckons to be explored. Experience this ancient island like a local during the quieter winter months when the climate is mild.
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9 days
8 nights
15 meals
7B 4L 4D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
3
Athens, Flight to Heraklion
Heraklion
4
Knossos, Heraklion Historical Center
Heraklion
5
Rethymnon, Chania
Heraklion
9
Program Concludes
In Flight
At a Glance
The largest of the Greek islands, Crete has served as a melting pot of cultures since ancient times. Discover the best of this Aegean isle during the quieter winter months when the crowds have dissipated and the weather is mild. As you explore coastal villages and ancient sites, unravel the history of the Minoans, Romans, Ottomans and others who have left their mark on Cretan culture. Meet local families, sample local delicacies and even try your hand at creating Cretan cuisine during a hands-on cooking class.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two miles a day over hilly and uneven terrain. Steep stairs without railings at historic sites, standing up to four hours a day with breaks.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
What You'll Learn
- Delve into ancient history during field trips and lecture to learn about Minoan Civilization.
- Experience a traditional visit at the home of a local family in a village and enjoy authentic local raki, followed by lunch at a picturesque Eco-Lodge and a performance by a local musician playing the Cretan Lyra.
- Marvel at the ruins of Knossos, considered by experts to be Europe’s oldest city.
Suggested Reading List
(21 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Winter in Greece: The Magical Island of Crete
Program Number: 22935
The Golden Step, A Walk through the Heart of Crete
Sommerville's account of a heroic 300-mile, mountainous trek west across Crete from Heraklion to the Monastery of the Golden Step.
The Search for Ancient Greece
Lavishly illustrated, this pocket encyclopedia covers the archaeology and meaning of ancient Greece -- quite an accomplishment for such a slim book.
DK Eyewitness Top Ten Crete
A compact, illustrated guide in the popular series, featuring favorite attractions in Crete.
The High Mountains of Crete
This new edition of Cicerone’s full-color guide to the White Mountains includes new routes, photographs and information on the Gorge of Samaria National Park and the Psiloritis and Lassithi ranges. Written by a longtime guide to the White Mountains.
Aegean Art and Architecture
An illustrated survey of Minoan and Mycenaean art from the Neolithic to the extraordinary Bronze Age palaces of Knossos, Gournia and Phaistos. Great for any archaeology-minded traveler.
The Complete World of Greek Mythology
With hundreds of color illustrations, site plans, genealogies and maps, this handsome, encyclopedic reference illuminates the world of the Greek gods.
The Cretan Runner, His Story of the German Occupation
In this exceptional memoir, Psychoundakis recounts his role in the Cretan Resistance as a "runner," delivering messages and goods while dodging Nazi storm troopers. His good-humored narrative even crosses paths with (his eventual translator) Patrick Leigh Fermor.
Abducting a General, The Kreipe Operation and SOE in Crete
In another riveting episode from the life of Patrick Leigh Fermor, the eminent travel writer recounts his time as an operative during WWII and as the leader of 11 guerrilla fighters in Crete who famously kidnapped German general Heinrich Kreipe.
Kidnap in Crete, The True Story of the Abduction of a Nazi General
In this new chronicle of the kidnapping of a German general on Nazi-occupied Crete by travel writer Patrick Leigh Fermor's small SOE unit, Stroud fills in the narrative with meticulous research, situating the legendary tale in its historical context.
Ancient Greece: Art, Architecture, and History
This lively illustrated guide covers the architecture, painting and sculpture of Ancient Greece from the third millennium to the end of the Hellenistic period. With 282 color and 28 black-and-white illustrations.
The Greeks, An Illustrated History
This accessible photographic history of ancient Greece pays special attention to Greek innovations: great literature and architecture, war tactics, democracy, the Olympics, Socrates and much more. Cline laces the gripping story of the Greek empire with archaeological discoveries.
Across Crete, From Khania to Herakleion
This collection explores the history of Crete through the writings of various travelers from around the world. The first of three illustrated books that tour the island, east to west.
Ill Met by Moonlight
Moss tells the better-than-fiction story of the audacious World War II kidnapping of the German commander of occupied Crete with Patrick Leigh Fermor and fellow S.O.E. officers. Dirk Bogarde played PLF in the Powell movie.
The Penguin Historical Atlas of Ancient Greece
This pictorial survey of Greek antiquity, recording its culture and expansion, features dozens of full-color maps.
Crete
A travel memoir from the Booker prize-winning novelist, richly detailed and steeped in the millennia-old traditions, myths, literature and history of the island.
The Colossus of Maroussi
Miller captures the spirit and warmth of the resilient Greek people in this inspired tale of a wartime journey from Athens to Crete, Corfu and Delphi with his friend Lawrence Durrell.
The King Must Die
The first in Mary Renault's trilogy of well-researched page-turners features the tale of Theseus, slayer of the Minotaur and the king of Athens. Known for her exhaustive research, Renault is an acknowledged master of historical fiction.
Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea, Why the Greeks Matter
Cahill brings to life ancient Greek society and civilization through the lives and words of politicians, playwrights, a poet, a philosopher and an artist in this eloquent and absorbing tribute.
Knossos & the Prophets of Modernism
In this marvelous, scholarly study of the myth and meaning on Minoan Crete, Gere illuminates both the original excavations of Sir Arthur Evans at Knossos and how this ancient civilization captured the Western imagination as an idealized society.
Crete Adventure Map
A detailed, double-sided map at a 1:150,000, printed on handy tear- and water-resistant paper.
Greece, A Traveler's Literary Companion
In this terrific anthology, 24 modern Greek writers offer a flavor of their nation, its culture and people, beautiful landscapes and rich history.
Meals
15 Meals
7 Breakfasts
4 Lunches
4 Dinners
The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Gluten Free, Vegetarian, Low Fat, Low Salt
Lodging
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Display
- Nov 04, 2024 - Nov 12, 2024
- Oct 28, 2024 - Nov 05, 2024
- Nov 04, 2024 - Nov 12, 2024
- Nov 11, 2024 - Nov 19, 2024
- Jan 20, 2025 - Jan 28, 2025
- Feb 03, 2025 - Feb 11, 2025
- Feb 17, 2025 - Feb 25, 2025
- Mar 03, 2025 - Mar 11, 2025
- Nov 03, 2025 - Nov 11, 2025
- Nov 10, 2025 - Nov 18, 2025
2 nights
Athens
The Hera Hotel is located right at the foot of the Acropolis hill, the new Acropolis Museum, and the interconnected archaeological sites. Hera Hotel offers a unique opportunity for guests to enjoy the vibrant old city of Athens.
5 nights
Heraklion
The Aquila Atlantis Hotel is located near the central square of Heraklion in Crete. Guests enjoy views of the harbor, and are within walking distance from the city’s historical center, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the 16th century seafront fortress.
2 nights
Athens
The Hera Hotel is located right at the foot of the Acropolis hill, the new Acropolis Museum, and the interconnected archaeological sites. Hera Hotel offers a unique opportunity for guests to enjoy the vibrant old city of Athens.
5 nights
Heraklion
The Aquila Atlantis Hotel is located near the central square of Heraklion in Crete. Guests enjoy views of the harbor, and are within walking distance from the city’s historical center, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the 16th century seafront fortress.
2 nights
Athens
The Hera Hotel is located right at the foot of the Acropolis hill, the new Acropolis Museum, and the interconnected archaeological sites. Hera Hotel offers a unique opportunity for guests to enjoy the vibrant old city of Athens.
5 nights
Heraklion
The Aquila Atlantis Hotel is located near the central square of Heraklion in Crete. Guests enjoy views of the harbor, and are within walking distance from the city’s historical center, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the 16th century seafront fortress.
2 nights
Athens
The Hera Hotel is located right at the foot of the Acropolis hill, the new Acropolis Museum, and the interconnected archaeological sites. Hera Hotel offers a unique opportunity for guests to enjoy the vibrant old city of Athens.
5 nights
Heraklion
The Aquila Atlantis Hotel is located near the central square of Heraklion in Crete. Guests enjoy views of the harbor, and are within walking distance from the city’s historical center, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the 16th century seafront fortress.
2 nights
Athens
The Hera Hotel is located right at the foot of the Acropolis hill, the new Acropolis Museum, and the interconnected archaeological sites. Hera Hotel offers a unique opportunity for guests to enjoy the vibrant old city of Athens.
5 nights
Heraklion
The Aquila Atlantis Hotel is located near the central square of Heraklion in Crete. Guests enjoy views of the harbor, and are within walking distance from the city’s historical center, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the 16th century seafront fortress.
2 nights
Athens
The Hera Hotel is located right at the foot of the Acropolis hill, the new Acropolis Museum, and the interconnected archaeological sites. Hera Hotel offers a unique opportunity for guests to enjoy the vibrant old city of Athens.
5 nights
Heraklion
The Aquila Atlantis Hotel is located near the central square of Heraklion in Crete. Guests enjoy views of the harbor, and are within walking distance from the city’s historical center, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the 16th century seafront fortress.
2 nights
Athens
The Hera Hotel is located right at the foot of the Acropolis hill, the new Acropolis Museum, and the interconnected archaeological sites. Hera Hotel offers a unique opportunity for guests to enjoy the vibrant old city of Athens.
5 nights
Heraklion
The Aquila Atlantis Hotel is located near the central square of Heraklion in Crete. Guests enjoy views of the harbor, and are within walking distance from the city’s historical center, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the 16th century seafront fortress.
2 nights
Athens
The Hera Hotel is located right at the foot of the Acropolis hill, the new Acropolis Museum, and the interconnected archaeological sites. Hera Hotel offers a unique opportunity for guests to enjoy the vibrant old city of Athens.
5 nights
Heraklion
The Aquila Atlantis Hotel is located near the central square of Heraklion in Crete. Guests enjoy views of the harbor, and are within walking distance from the city’s historical center, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the 16th century seafront fortress.
2 nights
Athens
The Hera Hotel is located right at the foot of the Acropolis hill, the new Acropolis Museum, and the interconnected archaeological sites. Hera Hotel offers a unique opportunity for guests to enjoy the vibrant old city of Athens.
5 nights
Heraklion
The Aquila Atlantis Hotel is located near the central square of Heraklion in Crete. Guests enjoy views of the harbor, and are within walking distance from the city’s historical center, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the 16th century seafront fortress.
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