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Trip
2023 dates
*Trip availabilities change throughout the day and may not be accurately reflected here. To see if space is available for the date you are interested in, please click through to the booking form.
July 2 - 9, 2023
July 4th trip - likely to sell out
A few Gal spots + 2 Guy spots left
July 16 - 23, 2023
Aug 6 - 13, 2023
sept 3 - 10, 2023
Labor Day Trip - likely to sell out
Sept 17 - 24, 2023
sept 24 - Oct 1, 2023
8 days/7 nights
starting at $3,699 USD
Payment can be broken down into a $500 deposit + 3 additional installments.
2024 dates
$200 off with
EB2024cre
MAY 26 - JUNE 2, 2024
Memorial Day Trip - likely to sell out
JUNE 2 - 9, 2024
JUNE 9 - 16, 2024
JUNE 16 - 23, 2024
JUNE 30 - JULY 7, 2024
July 4th trip - likely to sell out
July 14 - 21, 2024
Aug 4 - 11, 2024
sept 1 - 8, 2024
Labor Day Trip - likely to sell out
Sept 15 - 22, 2024
OCT 6 - Oct 13, 2024
8 days/7 nights
starting at $3,699 USD
Payment can be broken down into a $500 deposit + 3 additional installments.
Page Menu
WHAT TO EXPECT
Listen up travel fam, for anyone wanting a summer trip with incredible food, traditional culture, beautiful beaches, and exciting nightlife, Crete should be at the top of your list. From an oasis of blue-green beauty set between looming mountains, to cliffside grottos used to shelter locals for centuries, Crete is home to a rare fusion of natural, cultural, and historical diversity.
Mix in locally produced wine, an ancient artisan village, a generous portion of savory goodness, and a few secret beach cocktails, and you’ll soon figure out why Crete is considered THE up and coming spot in the Mediterranean. So the time to go is now!
In a nutshell, our small group trip to Crete caters to travelers in their 20s and 30s looking for delicious Greek cuisine, ancient Bronze Age history, and secluded beaches along the Mediterranean.
For the love of
SECRET BEACHES
GREEK TREATS
THE MEDITERRANEAN
BOAT DAY BBQ
MOUNTAIN CAVES
LOCAL CUISINE
SUNKEN CITIES
BLUE LAGOONS
ANCIENT LEGENDS
CRETE
Included
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All accommodations in a shared room with one other person with the option to upgrade to a private room (limited availability)
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7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
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Full day private boat cruise
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Traditional Cretan pottery visit
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Trek to the historic Agia Sophia Cave
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Visit to an ancient, Cretan monastery
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Afternoon at the pink sands of one of the world’s most beautiful beaches
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Traditional Cretan farm experience
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Kayak and paddle-boarding day on the the island’s largest natural lake
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Guided visit of Knossos Palace, the largest Bronze Age archeological site on Crete
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Cretan cooking class of island specialties and local wine
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Traditional, guided dance lesson with local dress
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Trip leader throughout trip
*All activities are weather dependent; in the unlikely event that we are unable to run an activity, we will have a suitable alternative in place.
not included
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Flights to and from Crete
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Mandatory trip insurance
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Meals not mentioned (budget around $300)
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Incidental expenses
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Private rooms available for additional costs
DAY BY DAY
Itinerary is indicative for 2023 and is subject to change*
Day 1 - Agios Nikolaos
YASSAS!
After touching down on Greece’s largest island, head to your hotel in the sun-kissed seaside town of Agios Nikolaos. Fringed by arid mountains, this colorful eastern Crete capital is home to plenty of mythical tales (we’re not far from Zeus’s hometown, after all); if you get in early, head out and start diving into tales of a legendary past.
In the evening, we’ll all meet up in the hotel lobby and venture out for drinks and our first taste of Cretan food - said to be the best in Greece! Get to know your travelmates over local wine and fresh local recipes.
ARRIVE
Day 2 - Agios Nikolaos
Water world
Have breakfast with friends at the hotel and then grab your shades and sunscreen; we’ve got a boat to catch.
By mid-morning, we’ll be cruising north from the docks at Agios Nikolaos along the hilly coastline. You’ll get up close and personal with the sunken city of Olous, which archaeologists believe was submerged way back in the second century by an earthquake. Eventually, we’ll wind up on the rocky shores of an Island, where we’ll explore ancient ruins that have withstood the test of time.
We’ll cruise back through the bay for a barbeque in paradise before diving into the oh-so-blue waters off Kolokytha Beach. After a day at sea, hit the town with your new friends.
INDULGE
Day 3 - Agios Nikolaos
Crete eats
Wake up and grab a light breakfast at the hotel; we’ve got quite the dining experience ahead. Today’s theme? All about Cretan culinary delights.
We’ll be heading out before noon to the rolling hills of a nearby olive oil farm for a truly local experience. Kick things off by touring the facilities as you learn the ins and outs of time-honored techniques before we settle down for some tasty treats. As this is one all-encompassing experience, we’ll be sampling more than just olive oil (think cheeses, honey, and a few secret specialties). Before we leave, you’ll step into the kitchen to learn how to cook like a Cretan yourself.
The evening is free; grab drinks and a bite with friends and see where the night takes you.
LEARN
Day 4 - Agios N., Rethymno
ancient treasure
After breakfast, we'll pack up and get ready for a different slice of Crete.
We’ll be making the short ride over to Knossos Palace, one of this continent’s most spectacular archaeological sites. These crumbling stone structures are Crete’s oldest Bronze Age ruins and actually originated in the Neolithic period (that’s around 7,000 BC!).
We’ll grab lunch together in a little village that happens to be the pottery capital of Crete. After learning about the local art, you’ll have the chance to give it a go yourself. In the evening, we’ll wind our way to the colorful oceanfront beauty of Rethymno, where we’ll unwind over a group dinner.
EXPLORE
Day 5 - Rethymno
Lakeside
view
Enjoy a morning of leisure and then we’re off once more, this time towards Crete’s largest freshwater lake.
We’ll wind up on the golden shores of Lake Kournas around noon for an afternoon of swimming, kayaking, and relaxing on one of the island’s greenest lagoons. So kick back on a sunbed, grab a tropical cocktail, and soak up the good life.
After a day of lakeside lounging we’ll make our way to Chania for one final seaside setup. The evening is free to explore the 14th-century Venetian harbor with new friends.
STROLL
Day 6 - Chania
Cave to coast
Fuel up on Greek coffee and a delicious breakfast before heading out for a full day of exploring the Southwestern part of the island!
We’ll get things started in the dark green rocky mountains that pepper this coastline. Say hello to the massive cliffside chambers of the Agia Sofia Cave and walk among enormous stalagmites and stalactites. From there, we’ll wind our way to one of the most famous monestaries on the whole island. This rocky 17th-century Eastern Orthodox beauty hangs high above the coast overlooking the Libyan Sea.
By lunchtime, you’ll be lounging along one of the island’s most spectacular sandy stretches as you discover the special secret that has made this particular corner of coast so famous.
REFRESH
Day 7 - Chania
Country Feast
Get ready to eat up; today we’re tossing on our chef hats one last time.
We’re heading back to the kitchen to chow down on some Cretan specialties. In the shade of an old stone building, you’ll don your very own apron as you learn how to whip up a four-course Greek feast from an expert local chef. Of course, there’ll be plenty of wine to wash down these delicacies, so take it slow as you soak up life in the countryside.
In the evening, we’ll get together one last time to learn a traditional Cretan dance before we sit down for a delicious, music-filled farewell dinner.
Day 8 - Chania
Antío Sas
Find your friends and grab one final bite at the hotel before you you head back to reality. The history, culture, and food of Greece are always waiting, so come back when you can.
If you’ve got some more time to spare, well, this magical country has plenty more in store for you. So keep on cruisin’ through Crete or go island hopping and check out some more magical Mediterranean beauty.
I knew that no matter what door you knock on in a Cretan village, it will be opened for you. A meal will be served in your honor, and you will sleep between the best sheets in the house. In Crete, the stranger is still the unknown god. Before him, all doors and all hearts are opened.
- Nikos Kazantzakis
FAST FACTS
Just for fun
Crete’s caves are home to more than a few legends. Zeus, arguably the most famous God in Greek mythology, calls one of them his birthplace.
We’re not exaggerating about the history. Civilization on Crete goes back to the 7,000s BC!
Crete is home to the Olive tree of Vouves. At more than 2,000 years of age, it’s one of the world’s oldest.
Trip notes
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Summers in Crete are hot, dry, and sunny, so pack accordingly.
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Visas are not required for US Passport Holders (see more info here). For all other nationalities, please check here.
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Ensure your passport is valid for 6 months after your return date.
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We offer a first run experience discount of $300 on our inaugural trip.
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All activities are weather dependent; in the unlikely event that we are unable to run an activity, we will have a suitable alternative in place.
About Crete
Of more than 200 inhabited Greek islands, Crete is the largest. However, it’s not the size that makes this fascinating place important; it’s the history. Many archaeologists and historians consider this mountainous stretch of land the birthplace of modern Europe. While settlement date to the 7th millennium BC, stone tools that have been found on the island, are believed to be 130,000 years old—meaning early hominids most likely existed here at some point.
GOOD TO KNOW
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Greek is the national language; however, those on the island speak with a very specific dialect known as Cretan Greek.
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All of Greece uses the euro for currency.
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Tipping is not mandatory nor expected from locals; for tourists 10% is appreciated at restaurants.
Flights
Fly into Heraklion Airport (HER)
We recommend buying a roundtrip flight to Athens and then booking a a separate regional flight to Crete if you want to save money. You'll need to be in Agios Nikolaos by 2pm on Day 1. From Heraklion Airport to Agios Nikalaos takes about 50 minutes by taxi.
Fly out of Chania (CHQ)
We recommend flying out of Chania or extending your trip and enjoying a few more days in Greece. If you've booked a roundtrip flight from Athens make sure you have enough connection time to make your transfer.
Want to check out flights for your trip?
Feel free to also set up flight alerts to Greece so you can grab the best deal!
*FTLO is not responsible for any fees or costs related to flights. We strongly suggest that all travelers wait until they receive the official FTLO Greenlight Email to book flights. This will be sent 3-4 months prior to the start date of your trip.
