Crete Family Holiday

Kalimera! Welcome to Crete. Greece’s largest island offers something for everyone, from inviting beaches to rugged canyons and thousands of years of culture and history. Your family adventure begins in Heraklion– a delightful city famed for its restaurant-lined 14th-century Venetian harbour. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 5 pm tonight, where you’ll meet your local leader and the other families joining you on this adventure. After, you may like to get to know your group over an optional dinner in town. Cretan food is fresh, healthy and delicious – the dakos salad is a must-try, and the kids will love Cretan cheese pies!

Today, the family will take a step back in time during a visit to the famous archaeological site of Knossos. Once the capital of the Minoan civilisation, the city’s ruins conjure up images of what life here once looked like. Enjoy a guided tour through the remains of a palace, courtyards, baths and private apartments. Your guide will bring the site to life for you and the kids, and they’ll be on hand to answer any questions you have about the fascinating civilisation that once thrived here. After, return to Heraklion where you’ll head to a pottery workshop. The whole family will get to have a go at creating their own masterpiece – this is a hands-on experience and a fun opportunity to get creative! The rest of the afternoon is free to relax at the accommodation or explore the area at your own pace. (B)

This morning, you’ll see a different side of the island as you take a bus towards the city of Rethimno to a local organic farm. Here, you’ll get a glimpse of rural Crete, and the kids will have a chance to be a farmer for the day! There’s plenty of fun to be had – picking vegetables, collecting eggs, milking goats, baking bread and preparing stuffed vegetables. But it’s not just a day for the kids – you’ll also visit the wine press and sample some fantastic organic wines. After, continue on to the south of the island, where you’ll stay overnight in a beautiful property that overlooks the water. When you arrive, maybe relax and soak in the charm of this picturesque village. (B/L)

This morning, board a private boat and sail along Crete's south coast to the village of Sougia. This is Crete at its very best – an undiscovered sweep of beach overlooked by mountains. It’s almost too pretty to believe it’s real! Enjoy a swim stop or two along the way in stunning hidden bays. When you arrive in Sougia, maybe grab some lunch (doesn’t swimming always make you hungry?) and relax on the beach before making your way to Chania. This will be your home for the next few days. (B)

Today will be spent discovering the treasures of Chania. Start with a behind-the-scenes look at Cretan cuisine during a hands-on cooking class where you’ll learn how to make Crete’s most beloved snack – the Kalitsounia. Sometimes sweet, sometimes savoury, sometimes filled with cheese but always delicious – these tasty little pastries will please the whole family! After a delicious lunch sampling the fruits (or pastries) of your labour, enjoy some free time to explore the Old Town and it’s charming tangle of colourful streets. Wander around the small shops in the town centre and maybe spend the evening with take out on the beach or at a restaurant with a view. (B/L)

It’s time to get active today and get to know some of Crete’s natural wonders. You and the family will head into the mountains, stopping along the way in beautiful mountain villages with breathtaking views. After working up an appetite, visit an authentic tavern where they’ll prepare you a traditionally cooked lunch using only fire (as they don’t have electricity). This afternoon you’ll experience one of Crete’s biggest attractions – the beach! The sea is warm and calm, making a perfect spot for little ones to swim, and there are a few more picturesque places to lay back and relax. Make sure you bring your camera today (and sunscreen, a hat and water). (B/L)

With no activities planned for today, your family adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you’d like to spend more time exploring Chania, just get in touch with your booking agent. (B)