
ix
Lassithi Plateau
Tour Director
Kevin Hand,
MSc, MCIEEM
conservationist, ornithologist and environmental consultant
Itinerary
Day
1
Flight from London Gatwick to Heraklion. Transfer to Agios Nikolaos for five nights at Hotel Miramare.
Day
2
Morning lecture followed by coastal town of Elounda (waders, migrant pipits, larks in former salt-pans) and peninsula of Spinalonga (sunken city of Olous). Afternoon: boat trip to Venetian island fortress of Spinalonga, followed by cliff walk (wild gladioli, endemic orchids, birds of prey).
Day
3
Minoan Palace of Malia (marsh shore with short turf covered in Cretan camomile and catch fly). Afternoon visit to the famous Minoan Palace at Knossos.
Day
4
Lassithi Plateau (large, fertile mountain plateau with panoramic views) for orchids, upland plants, fruit groves with optional visit to Dhiktean Cave (birthplace of Zeus).
Day
5
Morning: ruins of Gournia (unusual Minoan town), rocky coastline in search of Cretan ebony. Afternoon: gigantic gorge mouth at Monastiraki (chough, Alpine swift).
Day
6
Orthodox Easter Sunday
Selinari Gorge (chapel, monastery and vulture colony), Rethymnon, Agia Lake (waders and migrant water-birds) then transfer for two nights at Neos Omalos Hotel in mountains of western Crete.
Day
7
Across Omalos Plateau to Samaria Gorge, exploring little-known paths, searching for mountain plants (endemic Cretan tulip, aubretia, yellow Star-of-Bethlehem, centuries-old cypresses), with possible sightings of bearded vulture and agrimi (wild goat).
Day
8
Flight from Chania to London Gatwick.
Tour Dates
27 Apr — 4 May 2021
Days
8
Cost
£1995
Tour Code
CRET-21
Gallery
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Testimonial
"This is my eighth tour with Kevin - so he must be doing something right! He is extremely knowledgeable and delightfully enthusiastic, while at the same time making everyone feel included, whatever their level of knowledge."
ACE customer on previous Crete: Birds, Flowers & Minoans tour
FLIGHTS
For customers who wish to make their own travel arrangements, ACE is pleased to be able to offer a flight reduction of: £270.
FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES
Participants should have a good overall level of fitness for this tour, as a number of visits will involve negotiating rugged or uneven terrain.
Cost of £1995 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, breakfast, dinner with wine, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities.
Not included: travel insurance, single room supplement £160.