Join us in 2019 for Experience Greece brought to you by THE Club®!
Discover the rich history and wonderful culture of the beautiful island of Crete! Breathe in the fresh Mediterranean Sea air and soak up the relaxed atmosphere of this island gem. Crete is filled with authentic tradition and boasts some of Greece’s most unique historical sights dating back thousands of years. With its picturesque villages, seafront tavernas and the mouth-watering Greek cuisine, this is sure to be an Experience Event not to miss!
Itinerary
Day 1
Most of you will be arriving throughout the day on Saturday. If you have provided your flight details prior to your arrival, there will be scheduled transfers from Heraklion Airport (HER) to Village Heights Golf Resort. When you exit the luggage area, you will be greeted by a Diamond Resorts representative. After you are checked in at the resort, the rest of the day is at leisure for you to enjoy the facilities.
Day 2
This morning, we will begin our day at the on-site restaurant with a welcome buffet breakfast, giving you an opportunity to meet your fellow members of THE Club® and Diamond Resorts representatives and to get an overview of the exciting week ahead!
After breakfast, we make our way to visit the famous ruins of the Palace of Knossos, built in 2000 BC. Knossos was the prosperous Minoan Capital and the seat of King Minos. This will be followed by a visit to the Museum of Heraklion, one of the most important museums in the world, containing a magnificent collection of findings from the Minoan period along with treasures from Phaestos, Zakros and other sites of Crete.
For the rest of the day, you will have free time to explore and get lunch around the market of Heraklion, one of the richest markets in the Mediterranean. Here you can find all sorts of modern goods as well as traditional Cretan products such as local olive oil, Raki, local wine, honey and herbs.
Day 3
Today will be a lot of fun as we head in a convoy 3,000 feet up to the west slope of Mount Dicti to the stunning location of Lassithi Plateau. Green, fertile and irrigated by thousands of white-sailed wind mills, this location offers breathtaking views. Have your camera loaded as there are many photo opportunities! There are many small villages along the way which maintain their traditional color and character and you will be rewarded with nostalgic sights of authentic Greek farm living.
After a beautiful traditional Greek lunch you will have the opportunity to see the spectacular cave where the ‘father of the gods,’ Zeus, was born. Keep in mind, the cave entrance cannot be reached by vehicle; a steep cobblestone pathway leads to the entrance but taken at your own pace, you will be rewarded with amazing views of the area and see the stunning beauty that awaits inside the cave.
Day 4
It is well known that the Greek diet, of which olive oil is a staple, is very healthy. So no trip to Greece would be complete without a visit to see how extra virgin olive oil is produced. Of course, you will have the opportunity to taste the olive oil and visit the shop to purchase olive oil and related products. (Olive oil skin care products are a must!)
The afternoon will take us on a boat trip, where you will enjoy a BBQ lunch on-board before heading to the small island of Spinalonga for a tour of the many ruins that hold the secrets of a Venetian-period fortress and a leper colony. This small, rocky islet has become a very popular attraction in Crete after being the focus of Victoria Hislop’s book, ‘The Island’. Before heading back to shore, we will make a stop to enjoy the relaxing crystal-blue waters of the Mediterranean where you may choose to go for a swim…bathing suit is essential!
Day 5
Our day begins with a fun morning of Greek cooking lessons held by locals. Prepare a meal and get to know the Cretan diet and cuisine as you learn about local organic products and how to make authentic Greek dishes while enjoying different tastes, aromas and making memories.
Next, we head to the beautiful village of Peza for an afternoon of wine tasting and a tour of a local winery. Enjoy a tour of the cellar, the production area and the rest of the vineyard. A visit to the wine tasting area for some samples accompanied by dishes of the renowned cuisine of Crete is definitely a must. Surrounded by beautiful scenery and good company, this is sure to be an afternoon to remember!
Day 6
For our last day, enjoy a visit to Agios Nikolaos, a pretty town with a lake that has inspired many people to write myths about its depth. Here you can enjoy free time to explore and have lunch at your leisure before heading back to Village Heights Golf Resort to relax until our farewell dinner.
Tonight, spend an unforgettable night in the village of Anopolis, where you can experience the real life of a traditional Cretan local. The evening includes a great variety of delicious traditional Cretan dishes and plenty of local wine. You will also have the opportunity to see dancing groups performing traditional Cretan and Greek dances, as well as join in the dancing!
Day 7
All good things must come to an end and today is that time. There will be two scheduled departure transfers from Village Heights Golf Resort to Heraklion Airport for your journey home or your onward travel plans.
greece-18-header.jpg