CRETE
• The 5th largest island in the Mediterranean
• Surface area of 8,700 sq km
• 250km long
• 56km in width in the west to to only 12km in the east
• 100km from the European mainland (Peloponnese) 300 km from the North African coast
• About 200 km from the coast of Asia Minor.
With such vital statistics, Crete is more than an island it is nothing less than a little continent.
Discover mysterious caves and traces of the ancient Minoans whose civilization was the earliest of its kind in the eastern Mediterranean. Wander through stately Roman remains amidst olive groves. Pause in the shade of little, frescoed Byzantine churches hidden among swathes of wild flowers, including spectacular orchids of which a number are very rare and endemic to the island. From Samaria Gorge National Park with its unique and amazing geology, to historic coastal cities where the architectural monuments recall Venetian and Turkish conquerors, - Crete has it all!
By day - action and adventure along hiking routes through this stunning landscape.
When the sun goes down, relax by the sea whose color ranges from turquoise to ‘wine-dark’ as described by Homer. Explore the mosaic of music and dance that has been a part of Cretan tradition since time out of mind!
Sample delicious dishes that make up the phenomenal Cretan Diet, hailed by scientists as a possible key to longevity.
Crete is a land of colors and contrasts, always different, always changing. Every day brings new experiences and lasting impressions. 

SANTORINI
Santorini is the most extraordinary island in the Aegean. You sail into a strange, enclosed sea, shut off by the Burnt Islands. The volcanic cliffs of Santorini are red, brown or greenish, surmounted by a string of white villages.
Coming out from the deep blue sea its volcanic sheer cliffs topped with gleaming white village homes and churches, resemble snowcapped mountains. The thunderous fury of nature left its mark on the island, the home of Greece's last active volcano which still smolders today. Layer upon layer of red volcanic rock interspersed with white buildings and specks of greenery form a visual demonstration found nowhere else.
The entire center of the circular island sank into the sea during the tremendous volcanic explosion of 3.500 years ago. The eruption caused tidal waves which virtually wiped out the advanced Minoan civilization of Crete 70 miles to the south. Some scholars believe that the island is part of the legendary lost continent of Atlantis which supposedly slipped underwater during the disaster.
What remains today of Santorini is a large crescent-shaped island enclosing a vast bay, the largest caldera on earth (7X14 miles). There are also four much smaller islands called Thirassia, Nea Kameni, Palia Kameni and Aspronisi. 

Day 1: Chania

Arrival at Chania airport were the group is met by their guide. Transfer to the hotel.

Day 2: Chania- Omalos - Samaria- Agia Roumeli

Breakfast at the hotel and departure by bus to Omalos-Xyloskalo, the entrance of Samaria gorge. The first part of the walk is the steepest but the path is very good and soon (1 hour) we reach the bottom of the gorge and follow the riverbed. We will stop to eat our packed lunch at Samaria village. After 6 hours walking, we’ll reach the village of Agia Roumeli where we spend the night. There is time for swimming and just resting on the beach. (5-6 hours, Deniv. 1200m)

Day 3: Agia Roumeli - Loutro- Axos

Today we walk from Agia Roumelli to Loutro. The path follows the coast, sometimes we even walk on the beach. After about 1h30 we reach the marvelous small church of Agios Pavlos where we make a small break. Then the path climbs gently over the cliffs. Our next stop will be at Marmara Beach (2h30 after Agios Pavlos) where we will have lunch, and again the possibility to swim. After Marmara, it will take a little more than hour to reach Loutro, a wonderful tiny village sheltered in a lovely creek from where we will take the boat to Chora Sfakion and from there by mini bus we will be transfered to Axos. (6 hours)

Day 4: Axos - Heraklion- Santorini

Early in the morning right after breakfast we will be transferred to the Heraklion port, from there we will take the ferry to Santorini, the most beautiful of the Greek islands, a volcano surrounded by the Aegean Sea. In the afternoon we will have the chance to participate in an optional hike to ancient Thira and the Profitis Ilias monastery, the highest point of the island. (Overnight in Perissa)

Day 5: Perissa - Fira - Oia

Transfer to Fira, starting from Fira, the capital of the island; we will initially walk through the small-whitewashed houses on the narrow winding alleys, to Imerovigli. We will continue on a path till Oia having on our left-hand side a splendid view of the island of Nea Kameni with the volcano in the middle, the island of Palea Kameni and the island of Thirasia. (3-4 hrs walk) (Overnight in Perissa)

Day 6: Perissa - Nea Kameni - Thirasia

Today we explore the volcano of Nea Kameni, we enjoy the view of what once originated the legend of Atlantis, swim at the hot springs and visit the island of Thirasia. In the morning we are transfered to the port from where we take the boat to Nea Kameni. The walk is appx. 30 minutes to the top of the volcano. After a full day of exploring we will be back in the afternoon. Transfer to Perissa (Overnight in Perissa)

Day 7: Perissa – Heraklion - Chania

Free time in the morning.Early afternoon we will go to the port to take the ferry to Heraklion. Arrival in Heraklion, transfer to Chania. (Overnight in Chania)

Day 8:

Transfer to the airport. 

TRIP DETAILS

Price Includes:

All accommodations, all meals from dinner on day 1 through breakfast on day 8, all picnic lunches, group transfers from and to the airport, all transportations throughout the trip, ferry ticket to Santorini luggage transportations, services of the tour leader - guide, entrance fees in the National Park (Samaria gorge), all taxes and VAT.

Not Included:

Air fare to and from Crete, personal travel-health insurance, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, personal expenses, entrance fees in Museums, and other sites of interest that are not included in the program.

Insurance:

Participants should be covered by their own personal travel-health insurance and prior to the trip. The personal insurance must at least cover medical expenses as well as air rescue and the cost of repatriation.

M&P Travel is not responsible for any accidents or mishaps directly or indirectly related to the tour.

Period:

From April to October 2011.

Transportation:

All transfers during the trip are included.

Accommodation:

Hotels in the cities, village pensions throughout the trip (all with private facilities).
The trip prices are based on double occupancy.

Food:

Every morning we have breakfast in the hotels, picnic lunch en route and a dinner at local tavern. (Vegetarians are welcome on the trips)

Group Size: