TRAVEL
ATHENS - CRETE
MEMORABILIA
With so much beauty to behold you, wouldn't want the family escape in Greece to end.
REWIND THE STORY
You remember the day when you discovered the history of Athens through a child-friendly experiential game named “Playing Gods in Athens”. It included theatrical and learning games, riddle solving, story telling and creative art & crafts activities. You then had a wonderful picnic at Philopappou Hill. Sudden cut; your memory takes you back to your days in Crete now. What about your visit at the Cretaquarium? Your kids seemed very happy when they came face to face with hundreds of species and thousands of living organisms. They had a lot of questions when you arrived at the Spinalonga Island, which was a massive fortress for the Venetians and became later a leper colony. At some point you walked them through the ancient site of Knossos, the location of the notorious Minotaur whose story at its core is a heartfelt tale of love by Ariadne for Theseus. Such a romantic labyrinth. Such an amazing trip.
MEMORIES TO TREASURE
Let’s assume that you just got back home from your family vacations in Greece. You have a lot of memories to treasure, therefore you wonder what you could do with all the souvenirs from your unforgettable trip. You look at a huge pack of tickets, boarding passes, maps, bills and a bunch of digital pictures that you could print. Think of something more exciting than sticking it all in a box. You have an idea. Is a scrapbook too traditional? It doesn’t have to be. Buy a notebook, colorful pens, stickers and some tape and start writing an account of each day of your once in a lifetime experience. You don’t have to be a guru to create an interesting record of your holidays and a meaningful handmade photo album that your family will treasure. In your diary, make sure you include amusing stories and photos that your children will look at one day and laugh. Use tickets as bookmarks so every time you open it, the memory of the trip will come back to you as a pleasant surprise.
YOUR TRAVEL MEMORABILIA
A local told you sometimes the Greeks would watch the sea for the return of loved ones. When you saw your family sailing, you thought that holidays are an opportunity not only to relax but also to enjoy new experiences that will make you feel invigorated. This is how holidays in Greece feel like. Now rewind the story and live each moment again in true time. Then go back home and write all about it in your precious travel memorabilia.
DAY
1
1
ONCE YOU ARRIVE IN DOWNTOWN ATHENS
visit the mesmerizing Museum of Acropolis. Apart from the permanent exhibitions that will broaden your horizons, it also provides a restaurant on the second fl oor with a panoramic view of the Acropolis and a 700 square meter public terrace commanding a breathtaking view of the hills of Athens. The proposed menu includes a variety of hot dishes based on traditional recipes, seasonly updated. You won’t be disappointed!
DAY
2
2
REDISCOVER THE HISTORY OF CLASSICAL ATHENS
through a child-friendly interactive experience named “Playing Gods in Athens”: an entertaining and educational activity for families with children that are looking for a fun way to learn how the beautiful city was born. The game includes learning quizzes, riddle solving, story telling, creating art pieces and it is followed by a wonderful picnic at Philopappou Hill where you will be tasting a variety of local snacks.
DAY
3
3
MOVE TO THE AMAZING CRETE
the largest and most populous of the Greek islands. Explore its mysteries with the help of a unique itinerary created for families that aim to come closer to Cretan nature and history through several outdoor and entertaining activities.
DAY
4
4
ENJOY A TOUR TO KNOSSOS
a magnificent archaeological area, holding remains of the Minoan city that thrived 3500 years ago and the famous palace dated 170-1450 B. C., excavated by Sir Arthur Evans at the beginning of this century. Its lovely ruins linger within the mountains beneath the myth of the Minotaur, trapped by a king and conquered by love. After you have lunch at a hand-picked restaurant, you shall visit the “Cretaquarium” in order to explore the Mediterranean sea world. Come face to face with hundreds of species and thousands of living organisms and be fascinated by their behaviour as they reveal the wide variety of shapes, colors, habits and needs of their own world.
DAY
5
5
VISIT “AROLITHOS”
a unique traditional village which is built on the slope of a mountain in the wild Cretan landscape. It has taken its symbolic name (“arolithos” is a Cretan word which means a rock’s hole gathering rainwater), because it encompasses the tradition and beauty of the island, just like the hole in the rock gathers water. Here you will escape from the tiring everyday routine and you will be taken back to the past, where everything used to be pure and genuine. While wandering around the narrow alleys you will explore the complex which includes art workshops, traditional houses, a tavern, a cafe and you shall enjoy some cooking activities with your family.
DAY
6
6
YOU WILL BE SAILING TO DIA ISLAND
which is an uninhabited islet that looks like a giant lizard when viewed from the city of Heraklion. There is also a legend that a giant lizard tried to destroy the island of Crete, but Zeus turned it into stone with a thunderbolt, thus creating the island. There are plenty of things to see there since it is part of the European Network of Nature due to its status as a biotope for endemic plants and for plants with low dispersal within the Southern Aegean. It is also a vital breeding site for seabirds and species associated with coastal cliffs and one of the most important nesting areas – monk seals are also often seen by local fishermen around the shores. If you are lucky enough, you might see them yourself!
DAY
7
7
EMBARK ON YOUR SAIL
to the island of Spinalonga. You shall explore the historic island that was a massive fortress for the Venetians and became later a leper colony. The unique experience will be followed by tasty lunch at Plaka, a quiet traditional Cretan village located in the stunning setting of the Mirabello bay.
DAY
8
8
ENJOY A CLEANSING AND NOURISHING TREATMENT
You will have no worries for the rest of your trip as you will be spending your last day getting pampered in Aegean spa. Enjoy a cleansing and nourishing treatment with a herbal scrab made from Cretan sea salt and olive oil – this locally inspired therapy is incredibly relaxing. While you are at it, your kids will be having fun at a recreation park.
DAY
9
9
WAVE GOODBYE TO GREECE
You will return to Athens airport and catch your flight back to your home destination. This is the perfect opportunity for you to create an amazing travel memorabilia that your family will surely treasure.
Price available upon request. To get started creating your one of a kind private journey call +30 2103668830 or email: luxurytravel@afea.gr
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Accommodation and breakfast in 5* Luxury hotels
- Transfers with your private vehicle and driver including all tours
- Guided tours to archeological sites / All entrance fees
- Private English speaking escort throughout your trip
- Domestic flights Athens-Crete-Athens
- Transfer to/from the airport
- Meals at top-notch restaurants as described (Beverages are not included during meals)
- “Playing Gods in Athens” a child –friendly interactive experience
- Sailing to Dia Island including lunch
- Excursion to Spinalonga Island
- Aegean breeze spa treatment for the parents /recreation for the kids
- Cooking class activities at Arrolithos traditional village
Culture all the way: Guided tours, entrance fees and meal
Indulge all the way: Guided tours, 70's spa & meal