Overview
What's included?
- Flights: return flights from London Gatwick to Heraklion
- Transfers: return airport transfers, all accommodation and activity transfers
- Accommodation: 4 nights in Hotel Marin (or similar hotel) Heraklion, 3 nights in Arkadi Hotel (or similar hotel) Chania
- Meals: 7 Breakfasts, 5 lunches and 1 dinner
- The following are included in the holiday price: Welcome dinner in a restaurant by the Venetian harbour, visit Heraklion open-air market, hands-on cooking class and lunch at Arolithos village, Heraklion town and museum tour, visit to Knossos, lunch at Arhanes Village and visits to Lyarakis and Boutari wineries, visit to Vassilakis olive oil farm, lunch at Agios Nikolaos, cheese making demonstration at Anogeia village, “antikristo” barbecue lamb lunch, tour of Rethymno with baklava tasting, visit to Agia Triada monastery and Venizeloi graves, lunch by the Venetian harbour in Chania and Chania city and market tour
- Fully qualified English speaking guide throughout
- 24/7 assistance from our UK based operations team and in destination support from our local partners
This tour is an invitation to discover Crete, one delicious bite at a time. Together with like-minded food lovers and a knowledgeable and passionate local guide, you will venture beyond the beaches and usual tourist spots to discover traditional villages, meet passionate food producers and sample authentic recipes with each experience revealing more of Crete’s culture and history.
Undoubted highlights of you trip will be the taste of Antikristo, slow cooked barbecue lamb prepared in a unique, centuries old way and visits to wineries, an olive oil farm, a traditional cheese makers and seeing how scrumptious baklava is prepared and yes, you can try some! You will also pick up new skills in a cooking class in the charming village of Arolithos and visit some of the most important sites on the island, such as Knossos, Agia Triada monastery and the venetian harbours of Heraklion and Chania.
So, open your minds, loosen your belts, and get ready to embark on a gastronomic adventure you won't soon forget!
Dates & Prices
We include more, no hidden costs
Please note: accommodation taxes of €3 per room per night must be paid locally.
You can secure your places with an initial £50 per person deposit.
This tour requires a minimum number of 10 participants in order to operate. Your flights will not be booked and confirmed until we have reached this number at which time we will request a further deposit of £950 per person. The final balance payment will be requested 9 weeks before departure.
If the minimum number of bookings is not reached, we may make the decision to cancel the tour.
This will always be at least 9 weeks before the departure date and we will of course notify you and refund your deposit if the trip is cancelled.
Prices
Dates | ||
---|---|---|
Sun 21 Sep 2025
to Sun 28 Sep 2025 |
Adults £ 2,165 To £ 2,485 |
Next season’s dates and prices
Our dates and prices for 2025/26 are now available to book, so get in early and secure your places now. Our Travel Experts will happily provide you with a full quotation including any additional activities or accommodation upgrades. We will advise you of your flight details when they are confirmed. This will normally be around nine months prior to departure.
Dates | ||
---|---|---|
Sun 08 Jun 2025
to Sun 15 Jun 2025 |
Adults £ 2,165 To £ 2,485 |
Terms
For our full booking terms and conditions please click here
The Specifics
Group Size
We always try to provide an approximation of the group size you can expect to be with for the duration of each of our holidays. It may be that you are joined by others for parts of your holiday (such as transfers and particular activities) but the above number reflects those you can normally expect to be with from beginning to end. If group size is something which is particularly important to you, please speak to our Travel Experts and they can suggest the best holidays for you.
Tailor-made holiday group sizes will vary for all activities as will the group size for any additional activities you book.
Minimum and maximum age
If a specific minimum age applies to this holiday, it can be found in the Key Facts box on the holiday Overview page.
Unless otherwise stated in the in the Key Facts box on the holiday Overview page, the minimum age for participation in an Artisan holiday is typically 8 years old (there may be younger children in some destinations who have booked with other companies). If an adult-only environment is important to you, then please contact our Travel Experts and they will advise on the best dates and destinations for you. If you are looking for a holiday designed specifically for families then please see our sister company www.activitiesabroad.com
Itinerary amendments
The order of activities listed in this agenda is provided for guidance only, your final and detailed itinerary will be provided either with your final travel documents (which are uploaded into your online account around a week prior to departure) or upon arrival.
Medical History and Advice
We want our holidays to be accessible as they can be and will do our best to accommodate any special requests and requirements where possible. We have a wide range of holidays and destinations and so our travel experts will help find the best holiday for you.
In order to give us the best possible chance to do this we ask that if you or any member of your party has any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday or has any special requirements, that you tell us at the time of enquiry or booking. You must also promptly advise us if any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday develops after your booking has been confirmed. You may need to provide a doctor’s note and proof of insurance in some cases as the health and safety of our clients is absolutely paramount.
In providing this information you are allowing us to work with our expert local partners to ensure that your whole party can enjoy the holiday. By letting us know in advance we can discreetly work with you to adapt any part of the holiday which may potentially be challenging. Being able to prepare for this in advance makes an incredible difference to what we can offer and minimises any impact on your party and the rest of the group.
Unfortunately, if you choose not to share this information with us in advance then it may limit some or all of the itinerary you have booked, and we cannot be held accountable for any additional costs or missed activities resulting from this.
Insurance
Insurance is not included in your holiday, but it is a pre-requisite to travelling with us. You will need to ensure that you have cover for all the activities that you will be participating in during your holiday.
It is extremely important that you take out a suitable travel insurance policy at the time of booking. Plans do sometimes change, and you will need this policy should you need to cancel your holiday.
If you are struggling to find a suitable policy then details of our preferred provider, who will cover you for all the activities we offer, can be found on our website by clicking here. Please note that this policy is available to EU residents under the age of 75 only.
The UK Foreign Office Advice
Our clients’ safety is at the centre of everything we do, and our operations team continually assesses and monitors the destinations we feature. We carry out thorough risk assessments and work closely with all of our suppliers to continually follow best practice. For up to date travel advice the UK government offers its Travel Aware website as well as the advice detailed below.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice
We receive all updates from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) with regards to travel advice and we always ensure that we follow this advice in our operations. The FCO issues travel advisories for countries based on a very wide range of factors. They may provide notification about things as simple as a football match and crowds, or they may go so far as to advise against all travel to a region. We ask all our clients to refer to the relevant Travel Advice by Country for the destinations they are visiting in order to make an informed decision on the safety of the destination based on the details provided. It also provides vital information regarding entry requirements, embassy information, local laws and customs as well as specific safety and health. Guests should take responsibility for keeping themselves up to date with this advice. Please also ensure that, if you are transiting through another country, you have read the advice and meet the entry requirements for that destination too.
The FCO travel advice is applicable to British Passport Holders. Most governments will issue their own travel advice for a region and, if you are not a UK resident then you can find some helpful links below:
Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/
Canadian Consular Affairs Bureau http://voyage.gc.ca/
The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/english.html
If the FCO deems that there is an unacceptable level of risk for UK citizens then, together with the government, they may issue an advisory against all travel to a region or country. If such an advisory is published, then we will act accordingly, and this may require the cancellation, curtailment or amendment of a holiday itinerary. These decisions are made on the basis of ensuring our clients’ safety and will affect all clients on the holiday, regardless of their nationality.
If one of our local experts suggests an amendment due to a situation which develops locally then we may also take the decision to amend an itinerary appropriately.
If we have to cancel your holiday prior to departure you will be offered the option of an alternative trip (where any price difference will either be refunded to or covered by you) or a full refund of the monies paid.
If we have to curtail a holiday, then you will be refunded for any costs for the elements we have been unable to deliver, where we have been able to secure a refund from our suppliers. If we must reroute a holiday, then any basis for refund is determined on a case by case basis and dependent on whether the central holiday experience was provided or not.
Booking activities locally
Additional activities can be booked locally in almost all our destinations. However, as per our booking conditions, we cannot be held responsible for any injury or loss incurred through participation in activities which are booked at your destination outside of our holiday itinerary (see our ‘Terms and Conditions’ for further details).
When arranging any such activity please always ensure that safety is your primary concern.
In some of our destinations, you can borrow or hire equipment for use in your free time. You do so entirely at your own risk. You must ensure that you are properly prepared, have the necessary equipment and knowledge (maps, etc) and ensure that where applicable, you follow marked routes. We recommend discussing your plans with the local teams who will be able to advise on the most suitable options for you.
Always let the reception/guide know where you are planning to go and take a torch and mobile phone (with the hotel/guide’s phone number stored). It is also a good idea to leave your contact number and the time you expect to return to the hotel should the hotel need to contact you.
Brexit information for British Passport holders
For the most up to date information on how the UK’s departure from the EU may affect your holiday please click here to view our Brexit information for British Passport holders.
Flight schedule changes and connecting transportation
On your documentation, we will confirm your flight schedule. Sometimes the flight number, routing and timings might change prior to your departure. If the change is classed as a significant change then we will contact you to discuss this. Please see our booking conditions for details.
Flight schedule changes can impact on your pre and post-holiday travel arrangements if these have been booked separately to your holiday. We strongly recommend that you do not book transport (such as trains or transfers), car parking or non-connecting flights to the departure point for your holiday until you have received your final confirmed travel times when your final travel documents are issued. We are not responsible for the effect of any schedule change on your pre or post travel arrangements. We strongly recommend that you do not purchase non-flexible or non-refundable tickets to avoid cancellation and penalty charges.
Booking your own flights - cancellation disclaimer
If you have chosen to book your own flights, then you will need to wait until we confirm to you that the holiday departure has met the minimum numbers required to run (if applicable to your chosen holiday). Once the holiday is guaranteed to run, you will be informed and you can then make your arrangements.
If transfers are included in your holiday, please ensure that any potential flights will be met by our standard transfers (speak to one of our Travel Experts for advice) otherwise private transfer supplements may be applicable. Once your flights are booked, please send us a copy of your detailed flight itinerary.
Please be aware that most tickets are non-refundable in the case of cancellation. For this reason, we strongly advise you check the rules of the ticket and check the limitations of your cancellation insurance before booking. We cannot be held liable, in the unlikely eventuality that we should be forced to cancel or amend your trip, for losses incurred relating to any flight booking you have made.
Terms and Conditions
Our full booking terms and conditions can be found on our website: https://www.artisantravel.co.uk/booking-conditions
Minimum travellers 10, Maximum travellers 20
Agenda
Agenda
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DAY 1
Arrival in Heraklion and welcome dinner on the Venetian harbour
On arrival you will be greeted by your guide and taken to your hotel in central Heraklion. This evening you will have the chance to get to know one another as you dine by the Venetian harbour. All included meals on the itinerary will include a water and a glass of wine or beer. Additional drinks will be at the guest’s expense.
Included Meals: Dinner -
DAY 2
Heraklion open air market, cookery class in Arolithos and tour of Heraklion town and museum
This morning you will immerse yourself in the Heraklion open-air market before taking a cookery class in the Arolithos artisan village. The village was created to preserve the traditional lifestyle, arts and of course gastronomy of the island. You will learn how to cook authentic dishes during your hands on lesson. You will also take lunch here and then round off your afternoon with a tour or Heraklion and its museum.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch -
DAY 3
Anogeia village for cheese making and tasting, Antikristo lunch and tour of Rethymno including a visit to Hatziparasxos bakery
Today you will leave Heraklion and spend the next few nights in Chania. On route you will visit Anogeia to observe cheese making and of course sample the goods too!
Lunch is a real highlight today as it includes the famous barbecued lamb dish antikristo. A traditional and skilled cooking technique perfected by countless generations of shepherd results in the most flavoursome and succulent lamb.
Please do leave some room though, as this afternoon your tour of Rethymno will include a stop at the famous Hatziparasxos bakery to see their skilled pastry work their pastry magic turning phyllo into decadent baklava.
On arrival at Chania you will check into your hotel for the night.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch -
DAY 4
Free Day
Today has been left free for you to spend as you wish. You can relax at the hotel, explore more of Chania or make your way to one of its beaches (famous for being the best on the island).
Included Meals: Breakfast -
DAY 5
Agia Triada Monastery and the Venizeloi graves, seafood lunch in Chania and tour of Chania and its market
Agia Triada Monastery is an impressive example of the Byzantine architectural style and has been home to a community of Orthodox monks for over 400 years. Whatever your own creed or beliefs it is impossible not to absorb some of the serenity of their way of life when you visit. The community also produces and sell their own olive oil and wine.
On route to Chania for a seafood lunch on the Venetian harbour, you will stop at the Venizeloi graves to take in the panoramic views over the city. After lunch, you will take a tour of the city and visit the market.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch -
DAY 6
Visit to Knossos, lunch at Arhanes village and visit to Lyrarakis winery for tasting
It is time to leave Chania today, in order to spend your last two nights in Heraklion. You will also uncover Crete’s ancient past with a visit to the world renowned archaeological site of Knossos, before continuing to the beautifully restored village of Arhanes which itself has a history going back over 5000 years. You will enjoy lunch in this traditional rural village surrounded by olive groves and vineyards before visiting the Lyrarakis winery to taste three local wines. You will check in to your hotel in Heraklion at the end of the afternoon.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch -
DAY 7
Olive oil tasting at Vassilakis estate, visit to Agios Nikolaos and Boutari winery for tasting
Today you will learn about olive oil production at the family run Vassilakis estate. Olive trees have been cultivated in the Mirambello valley for over 3000 years, and it is for this reason that there has been a settlement in the area since 800 BC. The Vassilakis family have operated their olive mill for over 150 years, a much smaller number but impressive all the same.
The beautiful coastal town of Agios Nikolaos has its own long past, occupying the site of the ancient city of Kamara. You will enjoy a tour of the town and the famous lake at its centre before taking lunch at a restaurant overlooking the lake. Following lunch you will visit the Boutari winery to taste three of their wines.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch -
DAY 8
Departure
Sadly, your delicious Cretan adventure concludes today and you will be transferred back to Heraklion airport. It is also possible to arrange a private transfer to Chania airport for a supplement if you wish – please speak to one of our travel experts.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation
Accommodation
Due to the pressure on hotel rooms and the fact that we have to accommodate a group of travellers in the best and most appropriate accommodation possible, we do reserve the right on rare occasions to change the hotel (and in very rare circumstances the location) if necessary. This will always be on a like for like basis in terms of hotel quality and location and will not impact the itinerary in any way – for example a comparable hotel in Rethymno may be offered instead of Chania.
Included in price
Hotel Marin (or Similar) Heraklion
Nights: 1-2,6-7
Located in the centre of town and close to the seafront, the Marin Hotel offers views of Heraklion’s Venetian harbour and the sea from its rooftop restaurant. The Marin is a modern hotel and boasts amenities which including free Wi-Fi, a buffet breakfast and a variety of on-site dining options with a café and snack bar in addition to the restaurant. The hotel is conveniently located near historical attractions like the Koules Fortress and the Museum of the Battle for Crete.
Room type
The standard double rooms are between 20-22 square metres with a city view and king size bed. Featured services are air conditioning, a mini bar, hair dryer, a safe, satellite TV and even a pillow menu!
Hotel Arkadi (or similar) Chania
Nights: 3-5
The Arkadi Hotel is situated in the centre of Chania and is close to the Old Town, the market and Venetian harbour. There is a ground floor restaurant serving a mediterranean breakfast and a bar on the mezzanine floor.
Room type
The standard double and twin rooms are recently renovated in a modern style and have a furnished balcony. The ensuite bathrooms contain a shower and toiletries, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a kettle with coffee/tea facilities (upon request), a safety deposit box, a small fridge and a telephone.