T O U R C O D E : G R A D E : 4 & 6 S E P T E M B E R 2016

Transcription

1 T O U R C O D E : G R A D E : 4 & 6 S E P T E M B E R September - 20 September 13 September - 27 September 2 week duration WESTERN CRETE A discovery of the island s beaches, mountains and gorges

2 H O L I D A Y I N F O R M A T I O N TOUR DESCRIPTION: This information is in addition to our General Information Booklet, which is enclosed. Crete has long been a favourite destination of our clients, and it s no wonder, for this, the largest of the Greek Islands, has many jewels in its crown. Already known for the wonderful sandy beaches, quiet mountain villages, and countless olive groves and vineyards, on this holiday we ll explore a side of Crete that many visitors do not see. This holiday is a lovely combination of a week s walking in north western Crete from Chania, followed by a more strenuous, but rewarding, week walking in the tranquil south. Chania, the second town of Crete, has a charm and character dating back to its Venetian occupation. Lined with tavernas and bars, the harbour front is a lovely place to while away a Mediterranean evening. Around the harbour area there are Venetian and Turkish houses, narrow streets and quiet corners. The sea fortress of Frika (which now houses the excellent Naval Museum) and the old Venetian lighthouse dominate the harbour. Like so many Greek settlements, its history dates back to the Minoans and Romans. Excavations have been progressing for nearly 50 years and Chania s museum is certainly worth a visit. The restored 17th century Mosque of Hassan Pasha, the oldest in Crete, stands at the end of the quay, and often houses art exhibitions. The Folklore Museum, the Cathedral and the covered market offer plenty to see on a day when you are not taking part in the walking programme. From Chania we travel south to Paleohora, a small delightful town on the south west coast, which was built on a once fortified peninsula jutting into the Libyan Sea. From here, we ll walk the coastal route to or from Sougia using the ferry one-way and then have the opportunity to walk up the imposing Gingelos (2080m) high above the Samaria Gorge en route to Omalos, a village situated inland on the mountain plain. From Omolos, we ll walk down into the spectacular Samaria Gorge National Park for the 11 mile, 1300m descent through the diverse and stunning scenery of the gorge. We rest overnight at the village of Agia Roumeli at the end of the gorge on the coast, before moving on, via a coastal walk, to the beautiful fishing village of Loutro a real gem. From Loutro, a walk along the Aradhena Gorge is rewarded by a swim and a cool drink to end the hike before continuing the next day further along the coastal path to Hora Sfakion to transfer by coach to the north of the island, to Chania where we spend our final night. This holiday combines some gentler walking from Chania with more challenging, but rewarding, walking exploring the deep gorges and imposing summits on the spectacular coastal trails of the south. Walking the Samaria Gorge, tackling the imposing Gingilos and following the coastal path to Loutro all offer three very different, superb walks all in one holiday. A walker s delight!

3 ITINERARY: Day: Overnight accommodation: Chania Paleohora 10 Omalos 11 Agia Roumeli Loutro 14 Chania 15 Daily itinerary: Fly from London Gatwick or Manchester to Chania. Transfer by road to the Hotel Kriti in Chania for 7 nights accommodation. From our base of Chania we have a varied and enjoyable walking programme that also allows for some independent sightseeing. There will be the opportunity to swim from sandy bays, sample traditional tavernas for lunch and admire the many stunning mountain and coastal views. We transfer by road today to Paleohora, where we stay for 2 nights accommodation. Using the ferry one way, we walk between Paleohora and Sougia with time to visit the Minoan site at Lissos, Today we traverse the imposing Gingilos, part of the White Mountain range. A challenging but rewarding day, with some stunning panoramas. We stay in Omalos for 1 night s accommodation. We descend into the dramatic Samaria Gorge National Park today as we walk to Agia Roumeli for 1 night s accommodation. The walk starts amidst almost alpine scenery before heading down into the rocky gorge. We follow the E4 (European Walking Route) today as we walk the coastal path to Loutro for 2 nights accommodation. Today s walk along the Aradhena Gorge, encompasses terrain and scenery that epitomises wild Crete. We end at a beach, with time for a swim, before returning to Loutro. Our walk today takes us along the coast to Hora Sfakion, where we transfer by road to Chania for 1 night s accommodation. Transfer to Chania airport for check-in and return flight to London Gatwick or Manchester. D (Dinner) B (Breakfast) Meals: D B

4 HOLIDAY GRADE & WALKING PROGRAMME: This holiday is graded 4 & 6, with the first week of leisurely grade 4 walking and a second week of challenging grade 6 walks From Chania, our grade 4 walking is on moderate terrain, with walking times averaging up to 5 hours per day, although one or two days may be a little more energetic. Walking on paths, tracks and quiet roads, we will experience much of the beautiful countryside and see many of the places of interest that western Crete has to offer. All the rambles are taken at a leisurely pace, and a couple of days may involve minimal walking. Our walking programmes may be adjusted to suit the variable weather conditions. Please note that there is a free day included in the itinerary and your leader will give you further details on this. An example of some of the walks we may include in our programme from Chania (dependent on weather conditions and the ability of the group) are as follows: Therisso to Zourva and Meskla. A pleasant walk with fine mountain views following an old path to the col above Zourva. After a lunch stop at a wonderful taverna in Zouvra, the walk continues mainly on dirt tracks down a partially wooded valley to Meskla. Ascent / descent 290m; 7 miles; 3.5 hours. Akrotiri Peninsula Gouverneto to Stavros. A wild and lonely, top of the grade walk in dramatic hills and gorges near the north-west coast of the peninsula, ending on a delightful sandy bay with opportunity for swimming. Ascent 320m/ descent 535m; 4.5 hours; 5-6 miles. Laki, Karanos & Askordolos to Fournes. From Laki, in the foothills of the White Mountains, enjoy a varied downhill walk with magnificent views of the north coast. Ascent 100m / descent 400m; 9 miles; 3.5 hours. We do not include local transport costs or entrance fees in conjunction with the walks programme from Chania. This is due to walks being weather dependent and also takes into account the group ability and your personal choice (you may choose to take a day off from the group arrangements), and this way you only pay for the activities that you take part in. Local transport costs for this holiday should not exceed 50 for the week (approx. 60, payable locally in euro). You may also wish to budget 6-10 for entrance fees to one or two of the interesting museums that Chania has to offer such as the Archaeological Museum, Naval Museum and the Folklore Museum. Should you wish to take an optional excursion, these costs will be extra. For clients who have booked on the one-week holiday, A Week in Crete, they will be offered the Samaria Gorge optional excursion on the free day. As you will be walking the Gorge on the second week you may wish to use your free day to visit the museums in Chania, do some shopping, enjoy a relaxing day or perhaps visit Knossos (approximately 30pp). From Paleohora to Loutro: The second week of the holiday is graded 6, with some of the walking at the top of the grade. We ll walk both inland and along the coast following mule paths & mountain trails, rough tracks and dirt roads. We ll walk through two gorges, the famous Samaria gorge, as well as the lesser known, but equally stunning, Aradhena Gorge and traverse Gíngilos, in the White Mountain range, with a height of 2080m. The (optional) final ascent to the summit requires a good head for heights and some scrambling.

5 There are some steep and rough sections on some of the walks and you need to be sure footed. A considerable amount of effort is often required to reach Crete s wild places, but the rewards are sensational. We haven t included a free day in this week of the holiday as we need to keep moving along the coast, but if you wish to take a day off from walking, you are free to do so where possible - on the south coast you can transfer between centres using the ferry service. An example of some of the walks we may include in our programme from Paleohora to Loutro (dependent on weather conditions and the ability of the group) are as follows: Paleohora to Sougia and Lissos. A moderately strenuous walk. Most of the climbing is before lunch. There is an interesting Minoan site at Lissos to explore. Return to Paleohora by ferry. Ascent / descent 400m; 10.5 miles; 4.75 hours Gingilos Walk. A superb walk to the Linoseli Col offering spectacular views. Requires some agility and a head for heights. Possibility of reaching the summit with some scrambling on this last section, but rewarding vistas and a real sense of achievement await! Ascent / descent 850m; 8 miles; 5-6 hours Agia Roumeli to Loutro. This is a stunning walk along the E4 coastal route via Marmara Beach. Ascent / descent 300m; 9 miles; 5-6 hours The cost of transferring luggage between centres is included in your holiday price and, as we walk between each centre, there are very few local costs to pay. You may wish to budget for the ferry from Sougia to Paleohora (approx. 8pp) and the entrance fee to the Samaria Gorge (approx. 5pp) as well as lunches, drinks and any souvenirs you may wish to buy. Please note that the estimation of local costs relating to this holiday is based on currency exchange rates valid at the time of the publication of our winter 2016/spring 2017 brochure and this Holiday Information sheet. Any fluctuations in exchange rates may impact on this estimation of local costs. Please check with your bank or foreign currency provider prior to your holiday to enable you to plan your spending. Each evening, the leader will discuss with you the programme for the following day. TRAVEL INFORMATION: We fly from London Gatwick to Chania and vice versa by charter flight Manchester departures may be available. Please contact us for details. On dates where Manchester flights are available, the transfer vehicle may wait until both flights have landed before transferring to the hotel. Details of your baggage allowance will be confirmed in your travel documents, sent approximately 10 days prior to departure. The transfer from Chania Airport to the Hotel Kriti takes approximately 30 minutes. During the second week, on some of the days your luggage will be transported by road and ferry leaving you with just your daypack.

6 If you intend joining and leaving in Crete, it is assumed, unless you have advised us otherwise, that you will meet and leave the party at the Hotel Kriti. If this is not your intention, please let us know in writing at least 5 weeks before departure. PASSPORTS & VISAS: Please refer to Section 2 of the enclosed General Information Booklet. For British passport holders, for stays in Greece of up to three months your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. You don t need any additional period of validity on your passport beyond this. It is a good idea to carry photocopies of the personal details pages of your passport. Should you lose your passport, this may assist with the issue of replacement documents and your return to the UK. Passport, visa and health requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements. Advice on vaccinations is available from your GP, or can be obtained from the Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad (MASTA). In addition, general travel advice is available from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at LOCAL CURRENCY: Please refer to Section 2 of our General Information Booklet for details. The currency in Greece is the Euro and banks and ATM machines can be found in Chania. The Hotel Kriti does accept credit cards but cannot cash travellers cheques. ACCOMMODATION & MEALS: We stay in twin and single bedded rooms with shower and wc in good, tourist class accommodation throughout this holiday. In Chania we stay at the three-star centrally located Hotel Kriti. The hotel is on the very edge of the Venetian Harbour and offers easy access to the town s restaurants, museums, market and shops. All rooms are en suite with a hairdryer, TV, A/C, free wi-fi, balcony and mini-bar. The hotel has a swimming pool, bar, snack bar and breakfast room, where they serve a buffet breakfast each morning.

7 Hotel Kriti Nikiforou Foka, Chania, Greece During the second week of the holiday we stay at the following hotels. Please note that not all the hotels have air conditioning. Hotel Aris Paleohora, Crete Greece Hotel Exari Omalos, Crete, Greece Pension Samaria Agia Roumeli, Crete, Greece Hotel Ilios Loutro, Crete Greece Hotel Kriti Nikiforou Foka, Chania, Greece N/A The electricity supply is 220V AC and you will need a round 2 pin plug adaptor to use electrical items. Continental buffet breakfasts and dinners are included in the holiday charge. Dinners will generally be taken in tavernas, providing an opportunity to enjoy local dishes. Lunches are not included in the holiday cost. Picnics can be bought from local shops/supermarkets or a day s walking may include lunch at a taverna. The meals on this holiday are a wonderful addition to the walking, and the menus are chosen so that you are able to sample a wide variety of the Greek cuisine. Cretans follow a very healthy diet and the island s cuisine includes a wonderful selection of breads, herbs, vegetables, fruit and rich deserts made with honey. Crete is a large producer of olive oil, and it is used in most dishes, which is said to be the secret to their good health. Locally produced wines are a good accompaniment to the meals

8 RESORT INFORMATION: Resort facilities in Chania include: Shops and markets Banks (with ATM facilities) and Bureau d Exchange Restaurants & Bars Supermarkets Medical facilities Other centres on this holiday will have more limited facilities. CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT: The island of Crete has a temperate Mediterranean climate. It experiences hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. Crete has the mildest climate in Greece due to its southerly location and surrounding waters. The central mountains, stretching from east to west, create a natural barrier to the north-westerly prevailing winds and result in great regional variation in weather conditions. Northern Crete is similar to most other European Mediterranean resorts, while southern Crete is hotter, drier and sunnier and resembles coastal regions of North Africa in its heat and aridity. On the north coast, September should offer daytime high temperatures in the region of +/- 25 C. You should experience very little rain in September. For possible cool days and in the evenings a jumper, jacket or fleece will be needed. September is a good time to visit southern Crete, to avoid the height of the summer, not only in visitor numbers, but also temperature. Daytime temperatures average in the mid to high 20 Cs, usually with little rain, but you should still come prepared for the occasional shower. For cooler days and in the evenings you will need a light jacket or fleece. When visiting churches, please note that shoulders should be covered and the wearing of shorts may cause offence. Lightweight trousers are useful on some walks for protection against thorn bushes. You may also find useful a small rucksack, torch, lightweight bottle for drinking water, penknife (packed in your luggage), some polythene bags, and a small first aid kit. We suggest you take insect repellent, sunscreen, sun hat, sun glasses, waterproofs, a swimsuit and a towel. Beach shoes can be used as protection on stony beaches and against sea urchins. A universal sink plug may also be useful. Walking boots with good ankle support are essential for this holiday, as paths can be hard, rough and stony. It is essential to wear the correct footwear, as any injury caused by insufficient ankle support can spoil the enjoyment of your holiday. Comfortable shows or trainers should be sufficient for general sightseeing days. We recommend that you wear your walking boots or pack them and some waterproofs in your hand luggage as in the unlikely event that your hold luggage is delayed, you will still be able to participate in the walking programme.

9 While walking in the south especially, It is essential that you carry plenty of water on all walks. It may be possible to top up your water en route but not always your Leader will advise you. You should therefore be prepared to carry at least 2 litres of water per person per day. Some rehydration salts may also be useful to carry as some of the walks may be exposed to the full sun. TRAVELLING LIGHT: On the second week of the holiday, when travelling between Paleohora and Loutro, we travel between five centres and even though we arrange to transfer your luggage between each centre, please try to travel reasonably light. You should be able to lift and carry your own luggage. At some hotels, there may be some long walks between the rooms and entrance area that may include some steps there are no lifts. When walking between centres, you should have a day pack that is large enough to carry all you will need for that day as you won t see the luggage again until we arrive at our next hotel. INSURANCE On this holiday some of the walking will be above 2000m. Please make sure that your holiday insurance covers you for guided walking at this height. Please also take your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you at all times - it will help in the event of an emergency. Please note that the EHIC has an expiry date, so you need to ensure that it is valid for all dates of your holiday. See section 1 of our General Information Booklet for further details. MAPS: Maps and books about Crete may be obtained before departure from specialist map sellers such as The Map Shop 15 High Street Upton upon Severn, Worcs. WR8 0HJ Tel : Fax : Website: Maps of the area are also widely available locally.

10 SUGGESTED READING: Insight Guides `Crete' by Gerhard Sasse - Published by APA Publications. Crete, Its Past, Present and People by Adam Hopkins - Published by Faber and Faber. The Villa Ariadne by Dilys Powell - Published by Hodder and Stoughton. Travellers Guide to Crete by John Bowman - Published by Jonathan Cape, London. The Companion Guide to the Greek Islands by Ernle Bradford - Published by Collins, London. The King Must Die by Mary Renault - Published by Sceptre/Hodder. Under Mount Ida A journey into Crete by Oliver Burch - Published by Ashford, Southampton. Many local libraries now stock a selection of travel guides/books which may offer you more information regarding the Island of Crete, and you may find the following websites useful in planning your trip: Greek National Tourist Office Visit Greece Visit West Crete Samaria Gorge PLEASE QUOTE YOUR HOLIDAY CODE AND BOOKING REFERENCE NUMBER IN ALL CORRESPONDENCE. WE WISH YOU AN INTERESTING AND ENJOYABLE HOLIDAY AND WE WELCOME YOUR COMMENTS UPON YOUR RETURN. Revisions to this Holiday Information sheet Please note that this Holiday Information sheet may be periodically updated and reissued. In most cases any revisions will be minor and the overall nature of the holiday will be unchanged. Should we need to make a major change to the holiday arrangements between you booking your holiday and your date of travel we will notify you to specifically draw your attention to any significant change. You may wish to review the latest version of the Holiday Information sheet online prior to travel.