Fit4Travel

Ancient Wonders & Wellness in Crete

Main destination Greece 7 Day Tour

The Synthesis Retreat: Ancient Wonders and Wellness in Crete Crete – Santorini Crete – Santorini Knossos Palace Beach hiking
Ancient Wonders & Wellness in Crete

October 13 – 19, 2024

$2,799 per person based on double occupancy 
$3,599 per person based on single occupancy 
Deposit amount of $500 per person is due no later than April 13, 2024 
Final payment is due no later than July 13, 2024 

Welcome to Crete where you will experience the largest island in Greece. This 7-day journey will allow you to explore the must see areas in Crete, an island with over 160 miles of beaches! Enjoy cooking lessons that showcase some of the most authentic meze dishes while you take in these remarkable coastlines. In addition to hiking, you will also visit a winery, see the island from the water on a catamaran cruise and learn about the Minoan history while visiting ancient ruins!

Hotels:

  • The Royal Blue Resort

Included:

Meals:
  • 6 Breakfasts
  • 1 Lunch
  • 6 Dinners
Activities:
  • Daily Wellness Activities
  • Visit Heraklion Archaeological Museum & Knossos
  • Catamaran Cruise Including Snorkeling Equipment, Fruits, and Drinks
  • Walk the Mochos - Malia Trail
  • Visit an Olive Oil Factory Followed by a Wine Tour and Tasting
  • Hands-on Cooking Lesson
Other Services:
  • One round-trip group airport transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle
  • Transportation throughout the program in an air-conditioned vehicle
  • Transfers and tours with an English-speaking guide
  • Entrance fees, road tolls, VAT

Not Included:

  • Hotel early check-in and late check-out
  • Meals not mentioned in the program
  • Entrance fees for any extra sightseeing or optional activities
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel visa (please confirm visa requirements prior to travel)
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips for porters, guide and driver - the value of the tip is up to the client

Notes:

  • International flights should arrive into and depart out of Heraklion International Airport
Day 1

Arrival in Heraklion

Welcome to Greece! Your journey will start in Crete, the largest and most populous of the 230 inhabited Greek islands. Upon arrival at Heraklion International Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing at your accommodation before joining your group for a celebratory welcome dinner.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: The Royal Blue Resort

Day06a.jpg
Day 2

Cooking Class

After a wellness activity, breakfast and morning in Heraklion, you will be transferred to a traditional Cretan Village for a local and authentic cooking lesson. Learn about the local ingredients and recipes as you sample fresh produce and savor the fruits of your efforts at lunch.

Transfer back to the hotel for relaxation on property or spend a few hours at the beach. Later in the evening, enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: The Royal Blue Resort

Day03a.jpg
Day 3

Explore Heraklion

After a wellness activity and breakfast at your hotel, you’ll start the day by visiting Heraklion’s Archaeological Museum with one of the largest collections of Minoan artifacts in the world. This is an excellent crash course for the next stop located just outside of town: the 3,500-year-old Minoan palace of Knossos, a sprawling maze of royal chambers, grand staircases, storerooms, and workshops. This evocative Bronze Age site is believed to be Europe’s oldest city. A professional English-speaking guide will escort you on these visits.

From here, you'll head toward Heraklion's surrounding vineyards, where locals believe wine has been produced for several centuries. You'll then make your way to the traditional village of Archanes for free time to explore the town on your own. In the evening, dinner is included.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: The Royal Blue Resort

Day02.jpg
Day 4

Mochos - Malia Hike

Get ready for a beautiful hike in Crete! After breakfast and a wellness activity, you’ll head to the picturesque village of Mochos, where your trail begins. Climb near the old mill park where locals once used the windmills for grinding their grain. After reaching the highest point of the route that has a unique sea view, descend towards the waterline where you can refresh with a dip in the Aegean Sea.

Return to the hotel and opt to join in an afternoon wellness class before enjoying dinner on the property. 

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: The Royal Blue Resort

Day04.jpg
Day 5

Catamaran Cruise

Start your day off with a morning wellness activity and leisurely breakfast while enjoying the ocean view on the horizon. Later, transfer to the small fishing village of Bali. Upon arrival, board a 3-hour catamaran cruise to take in a fresh perspective of the island. The beautiful coastline and majestic shades of blue waters will leave you awestruck as you take in the cool ocean breeze. Enjoy drinks and fruits on the boat in addition to snorkeling equipment.

Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure with dinner on the property. 

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: The Royal Blue Resort

Day05a.jpg
Day 6

Wine and Olive Oil Factory & Tasting

After breakfast and wellness activity at the hotel, spend the rest of the morning at leisure to relax at the pool, sink your feet in the sand, or explore the town nearby as you pass through quaint shops and cafes. In the afternoon, we set out to learn about the process of making cheese and olive oil. After visiting the factory, we will continue to a wine tasting nearby. Learn about the different types of grapes native to the island of Crete. 

Return to the hotel to relax and freshen up, before we head out to enjoy our farewell dinner. Take in the last sunset and your memories from the past week together. 

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner 
Accommodation: The Royal Blue Resort

Day01.jpg
Day 7

Depart Crete

It's time to say farewell to Greece! Today, you'll savor one more breakfast in Crete before your transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Meals: Breakfast

Day07a.jpg

The activity Level for this tour is:

Demanding - Multiple high-altitude hikes or more strenuous activities throughout the program, but accessible to most healthy travelers. Some training and/or frequent exercise recommended prior to travel.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Heraklion

Welcome to Greece! Your journey will start in Crete, the largest and most populous of the 230 inhabited Greek islands. Upon arrival at Heraklion International Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing at your accommodation before joining your group for a celebratory welcome dinner.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: The Royal Blue Resort

Day06a.jpg
Day 2

Cooking Class

After a wellness activity, breakfast and morning in Heraklion, you will be transferred to a traditional Cretan Village for a local and authentic cooking lesson. Learn about the local ingredients and recipes as you sample fresh produce and savor the fruits of your efforts at lunch.

Transfer back to the hotel for relaxation on property or spend a few hours at the beach. Later in the evening, enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: The Royal Blue Resort

Day03a.jpg
Day 3

Explore Heraklion

After a wellness activity and breakfast at your hotel, you’ll start the day by visiting Heraklion’s Archaeological Museum with one of the largest collections of Minoan artifacts in the world. This is an excellent crash course for the next stop located just outside of town: the 3,500-year-old Minoan palace of Knossos, a sprawling maze of royal chambers, grand staircases, storerooms, and workshops. This evocative Bronze Age site is believed to be Europe’s oldest city. A professional English-speaking guide will escort you on these visits.

From here, you'll head toward Heraklion's surrounding vineyards, where locals believe wine has been produced for several centuries. You'll then make your way to the traditional village of Archanes for free time to explore the town on your own. In the evening, dinner is included.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: The Royal Blue Resort

Day02.jpg
Day 4

Mochos - Malia Hike

Get ready for a beautiful hike in Crete! After breakfast and a wellness activity, you’ll head to the picturesque village of Mochos, where your trail begins. Climb near the old mill park where locals once used the windmills for grinding their grain. After reaching the highest point of the route that has a unique sea view, descend towards the waterline where you can refresh with a dip in the Aegean Sea.

Return to the hotel and opt to join in an afternoon wellness class before enjoying dinner on the property. 

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: The Royal Blue Resort

Day04.jpg
Day 5

Catamaran Cruise

Start your day off with a morning wellness activity and leisurely breakfast while enjoying the ocean view on the horizon. Later, transfer to the small fishing village of Bali. Upon arrival, board a 3-hour catamaran cruise to take in a fresh perspective of the island. The beautiful coastline and majestic shades of blue waters will leave you awestruck as you take in the cool ocean breeze. Enjoy drinks and fruits on the boat in addition to snorkeling equipment.

Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure with dinner on the property. 

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: The Royal Blue Resort

Day05a.jpg
Day 6

Wine and Olive Oil Factory & Tasting

After breakfast and wellness activity at the hotel, spend the rest of the morning at leisure to relax at the pool, sink your feet in the sand, or explore the town nearby as you pass through quaint shops and cafes. In the afternoon, we set out to learn about the process of making cheese and olive oil. After visiting the factory, we will continue to a wine tasting nearby. Learn about the different types of grapes native to the island of Crete. 

Return to the hotel to relax and freshen up, before we head out to enjoy our farewell dinner. Take in the last sunset and your memories from the past week together. 

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner 
Accommodation: The Royal Blue Resort

Day01.jpg
Day 7

Depart Crete

It's time to say farewell to Greece! Today, you'll savor one more breakfast in Crete before your transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Meals: Breakfast

Day07a.jpg

The activity Level for this tour is:

Demanding - Multiple high-altitude hikes or more strenuous activities throughout the program, but accessible to most healthy travelers. Some training and/or frequent exercise recommended prior to travel.

Have Questions? Email Us
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Accommodation names are subject to availability. Should accommodation mentioned on specific itinerary not be available, a similar or higher rated accommodation will be substituted. Single room allotments are subject to availability and booked on a FCFS basis. Fit4Travel will work with each vendor or supplier to secure as many single rooms as possible to accommodate each traveler.
E: fmjrmcmahon@yahoo.com