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From £1,695pp
Including flights
Saga Hosted Hotels
Special Interest
Archaeology
Archaeology in Crete
All Inclusive
7 nights
London Gatwick Airport
Hersonissos, Crete, Greece
Evidence of Crete’s powerful Minoan civilisation is scattered across the island, from vast palaces to ancient burial tombs. This special interest holiday will help you to uncover the history of the island, your expert host leading you around some of Europe’s most fascinating archaeological sites. We’ll tour the Palaces of Knossos, Phaistos and Malia; examine Bronze Age artefacts in local museums; and walk the cobbled streets of Minoan towns. We’ll take a boat over to the Venetian fort-island of Spinalonga and admire folk art in picturesque Kritsa. There’ll be time to explore traditional villages, too, and enjoy delicious Cretan lunches in harbourside taverns.
Your holiday includes
Expert host
Six included excursions
All inclusive Prestige: All breakfasts, lunches and dinners
Free bar open up to 13 hours a day; international branded spirits and liqueurs, cocktails, wines and a range of coffees
International flights
Return transfers direct to your hotel
Minimum 20kg checked luggage, per person
Porterage at your hotel
Exceptional value every time
Saga Host
Our trained hosts will welcome you and ensure you enjoy your holiday. We also offer 24/7 support if needed.
Travel insurance and additional cancellation cover included §
A price reduction of £20 is available if you choose not to take the included insurance and additional cancellation cover.
Included excursions
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Malia, Kritsa and Lato
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We begin in Lato, where we’ll explore the ruins of an ancient hilltop city said to be one of the most powerful in Crete. Excavations have uncovered shops, houses, a sanctuary, a temple and a theatre – it’s a wonderful snapshot of life in ancient Greece. Then, we’ll head into the mountains to picturesque Kritsa village, one of the island’s most important centres for Cretan folk art and weaving. Nearby is the ancient church of Panagia Kera, which houses some 14th and 15th-century frescoes. We’ll return to the hotel for lunch then return to Malia, where we’ll tour the ruins of a Minoan Palace (the third largest in Crete). First built around 1900 BC, it was destroyed around 1650 BC, before being immediately rebuilt on the ruins of the original palace.
Heraklion
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Heraklion’s renowned archaeological museum is our first port of call today. Founded by two Cretan archaeologists in the early 20th century, its impressive collection showcases a host of artifacts from the Minoan civilisation. After lunch at the hotel we’ll continue on to the jewel in Crete’s archaeological crown: the ancient Minoan Palace of Knossos. Believed to be more than 4,000 years old, it’s made up of a staggering 1,400 rooms, halls and passages. As we explore the ruins, we’ll hear tales of the Palace’s complex Labyrinth, home to the half-man half-bull Minotaur –one of the most fascinating stories in Greek mythology.
Gournia and Spinalonga
1 / 6
The small town and palace of Gournia sits on a hillside on the northern coast of the island. Dating from around 1550-1450 BC, it’s one of the most complete excavations of a Minoan town – with the help of our guide, we’ll enjoy a glimpse into what life would have been like in a working town. After lucnh at a local taverna, our next stop will be the rocky island of Spinalonga, a Venetian fortress that became a leper colony in the early 1900s. Just across the water is the upmarket resort of Elounda, where we’ll enjoy lunch.
Armeni and Rethymno town
1 / 6
Visit the Late Minoan cemetery at Armeni, where more than 200 chamber tombs have been uncovered since the late ‘60s. Jewellery, pottery, bronze tools and carved seal stones have all been discovered here – we’ll be able to see a number of them at Rethymno’s archaeological museum. There’s free time to explore this harbour town afterwards – where we'll have lunch in a local taverna, wander through atmospheric little side streets and browse for souvenirs of Cretan lace, silver filigree and pottery.
Phaistos and Gortyn
1 / 6
Heading to the south of the island, we’ll explore the remains of Gortyn, a city which once rivalled Knossos and became the chief town of the Roman province of Crete. After seeing its amphitheatre, circus and basilica, we’ll continue to Phaistos, founded by King Minos – you’ll be able to see the remarkable similarities between the palace here and the one we saw at Knossos. We’ll have lunch at a local taverna and have the chance to see Matala, an ancient port where the cliffs are honeycombed with caves and burial chambers.
Lasithi Plateau
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The fertile Lasithi Plateau was once cultivated by the Minoans, and is covered with pear and apple orchards, almond trees and crop fields. A scenic drive leads us across the plateau, where we’ll stop at traditional villages, stone-built Kera Monastery, and the cave said to have been the birthplace of Zeus. Lunch will back at the hotel.
Location
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A 10-minute walk will bring you into Hersonissos. It’s a lively town, with plenty in the way of cafes, bars and restaurants in the centre and along the waterfront. There’s a small beach right in front of the hotel, but you’ll find a handful of others in the resort if you fancy a change of scenery. Day trip options include the Isle of Spinalongaand the more traditional villages in the hills behind Hersonissos. Island capital Heraklion is lovely, too, with a vibrant old town, colourful markets and a pleasant har...
Hotel details
Balcony or Terrace
Television
Safe
Kettle
Fridge
Air conditioning
Hairdryer
Bath or shower
Meals are served buffet-style in the main restaurant, with an enriched choice of salads, Greek and international specialities.
Restaurant
Lobby Bar
Beach Bar
Two outdoor swimming pools
Heated indoor pool
Mini market
Wellness Centre (fees may apply)
Spacious gardens
Availability
Flight
Best deal
Oct 21, 2026
Oct 28, 2026
Wed - 12:20
Wed - 19:15
London Gatwick Airport
7 nights
From £1,695pp
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