Highlights
Ancient Aptera hilltop cityWith Roman cisterns
Chania’s old Venetian harbour and covered market
Omalos Upland Plain beneath the White Mountains
Gonia Monastery religious art and manuscripts
Tasting local wine and olive oil near ancient olive tree
Journeys
Tour · 7 nights · with Travelsphere
A relaxed, small-group tour with Travelsphere tracing Crete’s north-west coast, from Chania’s old Venetian harbour to shady lemon groves and snow-capped peaks in the White Mountains.
This seven-night escorted tour by Travelsphere is a measured introduction to Crete’s north-west. After settling into the seaside village of Agia Marina, the itinerary begins inland with Ancient Aptera, where Roman cisterns and Byzantine walls overlook the Bay of Souda. Chania town follows, with its old Venetian harbour and a covered market fragrant with spices and leather.
Midweek brings a day among the White Mountains, where terraced farmland and citrus groves give way to the Omalos Upland Plain beneath limestone peaks still wearing snow in spring. A visit to the island's Botanical Gardens punctuates this stretch of muted rural life. Later, a monastery near Kissamos offers quiet history, with its collection of icons and manuscripts, topped off by tastings of Cretan wine and olive oil near an ancient olive tree.
There is plenty of unstructured time at the beach or in local cafés, with the option of a day trip east to Knossos and Heraklion for those inclined. Afternoons leave space for a slow coffee or last swim, away from the pace of larger resorts.
Itinerary
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day at leisure
When to go
Departs between Jun 2027 and Sep 2027.
Travelsphere publishes a season rather than fixed dates for this trip, so we show it as they do. Their site lists the exact departures and the price for each.
Need to know
For full details of what’s included, check with Travelsphere. See the full details on their site
The operator
Escorted tours with the details arranged
Escorted tours with a tour manager throughout, for travellers who would rather someone else worked out the trains.
You book with Travelsphere directly. They confirm your place, take payment, and look after you from the moment you leave home; Atlas & Passage’s part ends when you click through.
New to Greece? Our Greece guide has the practical essentials: money, plugs, visas and when to go.
Cruise · 8 nights
Greece & Malta and 2 more · Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Departs 5 Dec 2027
from£699per person, sharing
Cruise · 9 nights
Greece & Turkey · Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Departs 14 Nov 2027
from£899per person, sharing
Tour · 7 nights
Greece · Explore Worldwide
9 departures · Oct 2026 – Oct 2027
from£910per person
Cruise · 7 nights
Greece · Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Departs 26 Oct 2027
from£949per person, sharing
Day 4
Day 5
Day at leisure
Day 6
Day 7
Day at leisure
Day 8