COX & KINGS

The Wonders of Ancient Crete

Prices checked 26 October 2026 · Cox & Kings · Supplier snapshot; confirmation required.

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As a strategic gateway to the eastern Mediterranean, Crete has been ruled by a number of great powers, from the Minoans, one of Europe’s first civilisations, to the Byzantine, Roman and Ottoman empires. This tour explores Crete’s scenic and cultural highlights, including the Palace of Knossos, an incomparable monument of ancient Minoan society

Plan this tour with Kat & Simon Morgan — Personal Travel Consultants at Hays Travel. Call 0800 0662 694 for help comparing dates, departure points and room options.

Tour highlights

Join a beekeeping experience and honey tasting to take in the sweet fruits of the island’s rich flora
Visit the archaeological sites of Knossos and Eleftherna
Try a local wine tasting with a traditional Cretan lunch
Take a boat out to Spinalonga, a fortified island which bears traces of Greek, Ottoman, Byzantine and Venetian rule

Further highlights

Tour gallery

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Your itinerary

In supplier order. Some entries may cover multiple days; optional experiences are described by the supplier.

Sample itinerary. Choose a departure for its exact itinerary and hotel plan.

Day 1 — Fly to Heraklion - Rethymno

Fly from London (regional connections available) with British Airways. and transfer to the seaside city of Rethymno. Stay for the three nights.

Day 2 — Aptera - Chania

Visit to the ancient site of Aptera. Continue to the town of Chania with its Venetian harbour, and visit the Allied Cemetery, which contains 1,545 burials from World War II. Enjoy a welcome lunch, then continue to Rethymno for a guided walk along the facades of Venetian and Turkish buildings up to the old port.

Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 3 — Arkadi - Eleftherna - Rethymno

This morning, visit the fortified monastery of Arkadi. Continue to the Museum of Ancient Eleftherna with its impressive collection of artefacts from Greece, Cyprus and Egypt. Meet a beekeeper for an introduction to beehives and their cultivation.

Meals: breakfast

Day 3.1 — Transfer: Rethymnon to Heraklion

Day 4 — Phaestos - Matala - Heraklion

Drive across the island to the Messara Plain and visit Phaestos, the second Minoan palace. Continue to Matala, a pretty seaside town, and enjoy a swim or relax on the beach. Drive to Heraklion, the island’s administrative capital, stopping en route at the archaeological site of Gortyna, a ruined, ancient town.

Meals: breakfast

Day 5 — Knossos - Pediados

Morning drive to the ancient Minoan Palace of Knossos, the centre of Europe’s first civilisation. According to myth, it was home to King Minos and site of the legend of Theseus slaying the Minotaur in the labyrinth. Then drive to the Pediados region south of Heraklion, Crete’s most famous wine-producing area. Visit a wine estate for an introduction to Cretan wine with tasting and a traditional lunch. Afternoon at leisure.

Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 6 — Kera - Spinalonga - Heraklion

Visit the Church of Panagia Kera to view the finest Byzantine frescoes in Crete. Continue to Agios Nikolaos for a stroll through this beloved port town, then on to Elounda and take a boat to Spinalonga. Formerly a leper colony, this fortified island has been imprinted by Greek, Ottoman, Byzantine and Venetian occupation. Return to Heraklion.

Meals: breakfast

Day 7 — Heraklion

Morning at leisure to relax by the pool or explore Heraklion’s old town. Afternoon guided visit to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum with its collection of Minoan treasure. Enjoy a farewell drink with the group.

Meals: breakfast

Day 7.1 — Transfer: Heraklion to Rethymnon

Day 8 — Fly to London

Morning at leisure. Afternoon flight to London with British Airways or begin your tour extension.

Meals: breakfast

Your accommodation

Planned hotels or ships as published by Cox & Kings. Alternatives of a similar standard may be used. Hotel options are grouped as supplied and are not necessarily all included in one departure.

Theartemis Palace Hotel

Hotel Theartemis Palace is located a short walk from the historic centre and sandy beach of Rethymno. Guestrooms are elegant and comfortable and public areas are furnished with antiques.

Aquila Atlantis Hotel

The Hotel Aquila Atlantis is located less than 200 metres from the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion and just under 6km from the archaeological site of Knossos. The hotel's outdoor swimming pool has unobstructed views across Heraklion harbour. In the impressive atrium of the hotel you will find the main restaurant, elegantly decorated and an ideal place to enjoy fresh local dishes.

What’s included

Welcome lunch and farewell drink
Guided sightseeing & entrance fees
7 breakfasts, 2 lunches
Experienced local tour manager
Transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
Direct international flights with British Airways
Flexible - extensions, room & flight upgrades available
4- & 5-star accommodation
Small group size - average 14 people (max 18)

Dates & prices

Indicative supplier snapshot. Confirm price, room basis and availability before booking. Monthly estimates deduct a £250 deposit per person for Europe or £395 elsewhere, then divide by whole monthly payments ending no later than 42 days before departure. Rounded to the nearest pound; final payment adjusted.

London and Manchester departures available. Published tour fares are indicative and not airport-specific; confirm your selected airport and quote with Kat & Simon.

30 published departure and room-basis records. Standard prices are per person sharing; solo fares are labelled separately. Sold-out records are shown for reference.

Departure	Departure point	Duration	Room basis	Price per person	Status
8 May 2027	London	8 days	Two sharing	~~Supplier price £2,595~~ £2,520 Save £75 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
8 May 2027	Manchester	8 days	Two sharing	~~Supplier price £2,595~~ £2,520 Save £75 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
4 September 2027	London	8 days	Two sharing	~~Supplier price £2,995~~ £2,920 Save £75 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
4 September 2027	London	8 days	Solo	~~Supplier price £3,890~~ £3,790 Save £100 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
4 September 2027	Manchester	8 days	Two sharing	~~Supplier price £2,995~~ £2,920 Save £75 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
4 September 2027	Manchester	8 days	Solo	~~Supplier price £3,890~~ £3,790 Save £100 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
11 September 2027	London	8 days	Two sharing	~~Supplier price £2,745~~ £2,670 Save £75 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
11 September 2027	London	8 days	Solo	~~Supplier price £3,390~~ £3,290 Save £100 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
11 September 2027	Manchester	8 days	Two sharing	~~Supplier price £2,745~~ £2,670 Save £75 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
11 September 2027	Manchester	8 days	Solo	~~Supplier price £3,390~~ £3,290 Save £100 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
2 October 2027	London	8 days	Two sharing	~~Supplier price £2,695~~ £2,620 Save £75 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
2 October 2027	London	8 days	Solo	~~Supplier price £3,340~~ £3,240 Save £100 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
2 October 2027	Manchester	8 days	Two sharing	~~Supplier price £2,695~~ £2,620 Save £75 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
2 October 2027	Manchester	8 days	Solo	~~Supplier price £3,340~~ £3,240 Save £100 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
6 May 2028	London	8 days	Two sharing	~~Supplier price £2,995~~ £2,920 Save £75 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
6 May 2028	London	8 days	Solo	~~Supplier price £3,990~~ £3,890 Save £100 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
6 May 2028	Manchester	8 days	Two sharing	~~Supplier price £2,995~~ £2,920 Save £75 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
6 May 2028	Manchester	8 days	Solo	~~Supplier price £3,990~~ £3,890 Save £100 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
2 September 2028	London	8 days	Two sharing	~~Supplier price £3,145~~ £3,070 Save £75 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
2 September 2028	London	8 days	Solo	~~Supplier price £4,140~~ £4,040 Save £100 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
2 September 2028	Manchester	8 days	Two sharing	~~Supplier price £3,145~~ £3,070 Save £75 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
2 September 2028	Manchester	8 days	Solo	~~Supplier price £4,140~~ £4,040 Save £100 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
9 September 2028	London	8 days	Two sharing	~~Supplier price £3,145~~ £3,070 Save £75 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
9 September 2028	London	8 days	Solo	~~Supplier price £4,140~~ £4,040 Save £100 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
9 September 2028	Manchester	8 days	Two sharing	~~Supplier price £3,145~~ £3,070 Save £75 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
9 September 2028	Manchester	8 days	Solo	~~Supplier price £4,140~~ £4,040 Save £100 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
30 September 2028	London	8 days	Two sharing	~~Supplier price £2,895~~ £2,820 Save £75 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
30 September 2028	London	8 days	Solo	~~Supplier price £3,640~~ £3,540 Save £100 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
30 September 2028	Manchester	8 days	Two sharing	~~Supplier price £2,895~~ £2,820 Save £75 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability
30 September 2028	Manchester	8 days	Solo	~~Supplier price £3,640~~ £3,540 Save £100 pp · Book by 29 November 2026	Snapshot — confirm availability

Supplier source ↗

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Booking this tour with Kat & Simon

How do I book?

Call 0800 0662 694 with your preferred dates, departure point and party details. We’ll confirm the current fare and availability before booking. This page does not reserve a place.

Can I spread the cost?

The date selector shows monthly estimates where eligible. Deposit and balance dates are shown alongside each option; ask us to confirm the payment arrangement for your booking.

Will my itinerary vary?

Check the itinerary for your selected departure. Hotels, order of visits and included experiences can vary; optional activities may cost extra.

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