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Christmas in Crete

As winter settles on Crete’s hills and coastal towns, the island invites you to slow down, savour the season, and share in its festive spirit beneath soft December skies. 

Stroll Heraklion’s market streets, taste sweet bougatsa and local wines, and gather for Christmas lunch in a hillside taverna. 

From the celebrations of Agia Deka to the breath-taking views of the Aradena Ravine, this is a holiday filled with dramatic sights, local flavours and unforgettable hospitality.

From

£1,999

per person

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what’s included

At A Glance

  • The Travel Editions Experience
    Our tours are thoughtfully crafted and meticulously planned, with every destination, hotel, excursion and stop along the way having been selected to form a truly memorable experience.
  • Meals Included
    All breakfasts, four lunches and one dinner.
  • Handpicked Accommodation
    Three nights’ bed and breakfast at a five-star hotel in Heraklion, based on shared twin/double room, four nights’ at the four-star Kydon Hotel in Chania, based on shared twin/double room.
  • Discover the Authentic Crete
    From Christmas markets and bougatsa in Heraklion to a nameday celebration in Agia Deka, a festive lunch in a mountain village, and the enchanting old towns of Rethymnon and Chania, experience the warmth and traditions of a Cretan Christmas like a true local.
  • Your Local Guide
    Tour manager throughout and local guide.
  • Transport & Travel
    Transfers and full touring itinerary as detailed.
  • Flights from the UK
    Return flights from Heathrow to Heraklion and Chania to Heathrow.
itinerary & excursions

Your Itinerary

Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.

Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager’s discretion.

Day 1: Travel to Crete

Fly from London Heathrow to Heraklion. Transfer to the hotel. Evening at leisure.

Day 2: Heraklion

Walking tour of Heraklion centre and the local market. Then it’s on with our bus to a typical Greek Kafeneio for our lunch.  

In the evening, we shall go out and enjoy the Christmas market that is set up on Heraklion’s central Square, where it’s possible to buy gifts and traditional decorations. Whether you want to purchase or not, you might like to try some of the delicious treats on offer, including Heraklion’s famous custard bougatsa, which can be followed with one of the local spirits also on offer. 

Day 3: Southern Crete

Travel to the south of the island to the village of Agia Deka to experience the name day celebrations of the church of Agia Deka (10 Saints). Always a lively celebration especially the gathering of the locals for such an event, and fun to witness.

After enjoying the celebratory atmosphere, we visit a winery, one of many in this area, which has a high reputation for excellent Greek wine. Evening at leisure.

Day 4: Rethymnon & Chania

Depart Heraklion for Chania. On the way visit Rethymnon where we will have a walk in the atmospheric old town and then there will be free time to enjoy the holiday atmosphere of this lively town.

Then its onto Chania and check-in to the Kydon Hotel. Dinner in a local restaurant in Chania.

Day 5: Christmas Day

Today we will enjoy Christmas lunch in a village taverna high in the hills, enjoying local food and wonderful views. Rest of the day at leisure.

Day 6: Timeless Crete

Today we discover a ‘timeless’ Crete, visiting the pretty gorge of Therriso, and enjoying a scenic drive into the Apokoronous region of Crete where we find wonderful views and tiny villages, little touched by the hands of time, as well as a cosy taverna for a traditional lunch.

Day 7: Far Western Crete

Leisurely morning enjoying a scenic drive to far western Crete, visiting the atmospheric Church of Agios Georgios along the way. Return to Chania for a relaxed afternoon.

Day 8: Departure

Fly from Chania Airport via Athens to London Heathrow. Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager’s discretion.

Availability

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21/12/2026
London Heathrow
£1,999
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Solo Traveller Supplement From: £330
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HOTELS

Tour Accommodation

Excellent quality hotels are used throughout this tour, each offering a high standard of service, facilities, and comfort in ideal locations to explore the sites visited.

Galaxy Hotel, Heraklion
This stylish five-star hotel is in a quiet yet central location, a short walk from the Old Town. As well as two restaurants the hotel has a fitness centre and
swimming pool.
Hotel Website

Kydon Hotel, Chania 
Situated in the heart of Chania this four-star hotel offers immediate access to the Old Town and cultural landmarks. One of the first hotels built in the town, this hotel emphasises traditional Cretan hospitality.   
Hotel Website

our regular tours

Mobility Information

This tour has a moderate fitness rating, reflecting a fuller itinerary with a good balance of visits, walking and time spent exploring on foot.
 
Some visits may involve cobbled streets, uneven paving, slopes, steps, stairs, limited seating, or walking from the coach drop-off point to the entrance of a site or attraction. The exact demands will vary from day to day, and we highlight specific practical details within the itinerary wherever possible.
 
You should feel comfortable walking at a steady group pace, standing during visits and enjoying a full day of sightseeing.
 
If you are unsure whether this tour is right for you, please contact us before booking.

Mobility Information
Your questions answered

Tour FAQ

If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.

Simply complete our online booking form or give us a call on 020 7251 0045 between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday where you can speak to a real person. A 20% deposit per person is required at the time of booking, to book your place. Payments by debit card or credit card incur no charge. 

You must pay for the balance of your holiday at least 12 weeks before departure. A reminder will be sent to you approximately 10 days before the balance due date. If you book your holiday within 12 weeks of departure, full payment is required at time of booking. Please note that some tours may require final payment to be paid earlier than 12 weeks, due to financial commitment with suppliers. The exact date will be notified to you at the time of booking. Final joining instructions and documentation will be dispatched approximately 10 days before travel.

In almost all cases, the price includes your accommodation, meals as described in the itinerary, all excursions shown in the programme, and travel arrangements from the UK. Excursions are taken by private coach exclusively for Travel Editions guests. If anything is ever excluded from the price, it will be clearly marked as optional and payable locally, you won’t find any hidden extras on your final bill. Travel Editions operates a firm no-surcharge policy, so the price you are quoted is the price you pay.

The specifics vary by tour and are set out in your individual itinerary, but most of our tours depart from London, either by Eurostar from St Pancras International or by air. For rail tours, we advise allowing at least one hour before the Eurostar departure when planning your journey to London. For flights, all costs are based on economy class unless otherwise stated, and all times shown are local time. For tours in the UK, these often start at the hotel in question.

Flight upgrades and connections from regional airports are available on request and subject to availability, contact us on 020 7251 0045 or at tours@traveleditions.co.uk for details. We strongly recommend not booking non-refundable connecting travel until you have received your final joining instructions, which are sent around 10 days before departure and confirm all timings and meeting points.

Yes, and you’re very welcome. Single room supplements apply on most tours, reflecting the fact that single and double rooms are generally priced similarly by hotels. If you would prefer to share with another solo traveller of the same gender, we are happy to arrange this, simply let us know at the time of booking. Sharing is subject to another traveller in the same situation being booked on the same tour.

Each tour is accompanied by a dedicated tour manager, who in most cases will travel out from the UK with the group. On some tours, the tour manager will meet you at your destination station or airport, with full details being confirmed in your joining instructions 10 days before travel. Many of our tours are also led by expert lecturers or specialist guides whose knowledge brings each destination to life; details of who will be accompanying your particular tour are included in the individual tour pages and itineraries.

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