Crete Family Adventure - Coast and Mountains
- Great Greek island family adventure holiday
- Easy family walks in the White Mountains of Crete
- Boat trips and swimming in the Mediterranean
- Visit the Roman ruins at Lissos
- Time for rest and relaxation at the beach
Tucked away in the south-western corner of Crete, the rugged limestone peaks of the Lefka Ori (White Mountains), together with the long stretch of perfect coastline at their southern edge, provide the focus of this sun-kissed family adventure. This is an unspoiled part of Crete, far from the tourist resorts of the north coast, with delightful fishing villages (some inaccessible by road) and mountain villages home to shepherds who continue to pursue a traditional way of life. We start out with a transfer from the Cretan capital of Heraklion to Omalos at the head of the famous Samaria Gorge. From Agia Irini, we then hike through a short and scenic gorge to the port at Sougia, where we have a first chance for a swim. A visit to the timeless Roman ruins at Lissos is next on our agenda, before we take the ferry along the coast to Agia Roumeli, to spend a day at leisure on its pebbly beach. This is followed by a stunning easy coastal walk to the seaside hamlet of Finix, where we spend 3 nights. A private boat trip to a deserted beach gives us another opportunity for a swim and then, on the last day, we will take an exciting ride up into the White Mountains and make the straightforward ascent of the highest peak of the range, Pachnes (2453m). If you want the real Greek island experience, with a touch of adventure, this family holiday is tough to beat.
Is this holiday for you?
The holiday is suitable for children of 8 years and above. If you enjoy walking in beautiful mountain and coastal scenery and experiencing a traditional culture little changed for generations, then this holiday could be for you and your family. There are 4 days of walking in the itinerary, mostly at low level and the accommodation is in charming small hotels and tavernas. This part of Crete is pretty much off the tourist beat and the accommodation locally is in traditional tavernas and simple holiday apartments - it is comfortable and characterful and the food provided is locally-sourced and excellent. There are 4 days on the holiday where we have scheduled some walking and this is generally no more than about 4 hours per day, with plenty of opportunity to stop and rest, to take a picnic lunch, or to take a swim. Only on the day that we climb Pachnes is there any significant ascent (approx. 500 metres).
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