5-day sailing trip from Heraklion to Ag.Nikolaos

Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands and the fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. With a history of more than 4000 thousand years and a unique landscape, it is certain that you will enjoy every moment of this trip. You will have the opportunity to sail the northeast side of the island, swim in crystal clear water, see some of the most important archeological sites, explore the inland, and taste quality local food.

1st day

• Pick up from your hotel or the airport.
• Embarkation on the yacht at Heraklion marina (welcome).
• Check-in, safety briefing, and accommodation on board.

Schedule on land: After you have settled on the sailing boat, our on-land schedule begins. We start by visiting Knossos archaeological site. Discovered by Arthur Evans and David George Hogard, Knossos is the largest Bronze age archaeological site on Crete and has been called Europe’s oldest city. There you can walk within the ruins of the palace and learn about its historic importance as much as the myths and legends surrounding it (Specialised guides are located on the site and can be hired for a tour at some extra charge).  After our visit to the archaeological site of Knossos, we will head out to Heraklion city center to visit the Heraklion archaeological museum, which is one of the largest and most important museums in Europe because it houses representative artifacts that span a period of 5500 years from the Neolithic Period to Roman times with an emphasis to the Minoan art, with artifacts that are considered true masterpieces. As the day goes on and we depart from Heraklion’s archaeological museum, we will have lunch at an award-winning local restaurant in the city center. After our lunch, we will once again board the sailing boat and head out towards the beautiful isle Of  Dia which is located about 6 nautical miles north of Heraklion city.

Overnight at Dia: We anchor and spent the night on a beautiful bay on the desert island of Dia and enjoy the crystal clear waters of the island that shelters the endangered Cretan Ibex and other indigenous species. According to myth, the island of Dia is a Dragon that Zeus sent to eat the Cretans but before it got the chance to do so Poseidon changed Zeus’ mind and Zeus threw two pieces of bread so that the dragon would consume before eating the Cretans. As soon as the dragon bit on the pieces of bread, he and the pieces became stone, therefore forming the island of Dia and the two small islands in front of it Paximadi and Petalidi.

Dinner: Dinner will be served on board and will be prepared with fresh local ingredients.

2nd day

Dia (breakfast 07:30-08:30) – Hersonissos: The morning of the second day we find ourselves at Dia, we will enjoy our breakfast on board the sailing boat and have a quick swim in the crystal clear waters of Dia. Soon after, we will head out towards Hersonissos port which is 10nm away from Dia, and sailing there takes about 1.5 hours. That is where our on-land schedule begins. 

Schedule on land: As we leave the port of Hersonissos behind us and head south you will have the opportunity to witness the Aposelemi dam which is a protected wetland that shelters many indigenous bird species of endangered birds. Then we will reach the Lassithi plateau where there were once more than 1000 windmills, which pumped groundwater to irrigate the fields.  The next stop is the impressive Cave of Psychro (Dikteon Cave) at an altitude of 1025m. There, according to mythology, Zeus was born. The cave is considered an archaeological site and can be visited. A beautiful and short uphill path leads to it. If you do not want to walk, there are donkeys that take visitors to the cave. After you enjoy the tour of the cave of Psychro and the panoramic view of the Plateau, we will board the cars and head toward Lasithi Plateau for lunch. There You will have the opportunity to taste traditional Cretan cuisine at a local restaurant. After our meal we will start our return to Hersonissos port, passing by the monastery of Kera, one of the most important religious monuments in Crete.  The monastery (due to its central location, between Heraklion and Lassithi Plateau) was used as a "shelter" for Cretan freedom fighters. Within a few months, between October 1866 and June 1867, Panagia Kera was burned twice by Omer Pasha's army.

On the way back we will make one last stop in the village of Mohos, for a drink of raki(a traditional Cretan beverage). The view from the road to the Cretan Sea, Mallia, and Hersonissos is the best end of our on-land schedule.

Overnight at Hersonissos port: We will spend the night anchored in Hersonissos, which hosts the largest Golf course on the island and is a very popular destination among tourists for offering many different options for recreation and clubbing.

Dinner: Dinner will be served on board and will be prepared with fresh local ingredients.

3rd day

Hersonissos Port (breakfast 07:30-08:30): The morning of the third day we find ourselves at Hersonissos, we will enjoy our breakfast on board and have a quick swim in the bay before we head out to Plaka, which is 20nm away from Hersonissos and sailing there takes about 4 hours. Plaka is located 16km north of Agios Nikolaos, opposite the entrance of the lagoon of Korfos (or lagoon of Elounda), in one of the most beautiful places of Crete. A feature of Plaka is the wonderful views of the island Kalydon, where the famous fortress of Spinalonga stands. Spinalonga operated from 1903 until 1957  as a leper colony and during the first half of the 20th century was one of the last active leper colonies in Europe. The island can be reached primarily by boat from Elounda and Plaka. Indeed, Plaka's existence is highly linked to Spinalonga, as the settlement was built for serving the leper colony. There you can enjoy a swim in the picturesque pebbly beaches with crystal clear waters of Plaka and have a quick snack before our onland schedule begins.

Schedule on land: After boarding on the Land Rover Discovery 3 we will head south, towards the inland heading for Kritsa village. Kritsa is one of the oldest and most picturesque villages in Crete, built amphitheatrically on a rock hill, named Kastellos, surrounded by olive groves, at an altitude of 375 m. It is part of the municipality of Agios Nikolaos. During the Middle Ages, it was thought to be the largest village in Crete. Kritsa has been destroyed many times during the last centuries because it participated in all of Crete’s revolutions. It is located 10 km from Agios Nikolaos and has about 2200 inhabitants. When Kritsa is lit up in the evening it has the form of a scorpion. Old Cretan customs and traditions are kept alive, and Kritsa is considered one of the most important centers of weaving art. The narrow streets are visited year-round by tourists from all around the world. The village is a perfect location for exploration and after you have a tour of the local market and absorb all that local culture has to offer, we will have lunch at a local tavern where you will experience the traditional Cretan cuisine. Then we will head back to Plaka.

Overnight at Plaka: We will spend the night anchored Just across from the historic island of Spinalonga which because of its position was fortified from its earliest years in order to protect the entranceway of the port of ancient Olous.

Dinner: Dinner will be served on board and will be prepared with fresh local ingredients.

4th day

Plaka (breakfast 07:30-08:30): The morning of the fourth day we find ourselves at Plaka, where we will enjoy our breakfast on board the sailing boat. Right after our breakfast, we will sail for about one hour to a small majestic gulf that is about 6nm away from Plaka. There you will have the opportunity to swim and snorkel in the crystal clear sapphire, and blue waters, and enjoy the beautiful Cretan sun. Afterward, we will head back to Plaka where our driver will be waiting for you.

Schedule on land: From Plaka, you will board the LandRover discovery 3 cars and Begin our trip to Thripti mountain. On our way there we will visit Istros beach where we can have a stop for a quick swim. Then we will continue our ascent toward the village of Kavousi to reach the world’s oldest known Olive tree in Azoria which dates more than 3200 years back and from which branches were used for olive wreaths of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Then we will visit the archaeological site of Azoria which is located within a few minutes walking distances from the tree. There you can enjoy the magnificent view of the Gulf of Mirabello the little Island of Pseira and the Aegean sea. Afterward, we will have lunch at a unique local tavern where you will have the opportunity to enjoy delicious food and authentic Cretan hospitality. After our lunch, we will head back down to Plaka. There you will board the sailing boat and head out for a sunset cruise to kolokitha where we will spend the night.

Overnight at Kolokitha: We will spend the night anchored on a beautiful bay in the desert island of Kolokitha which is known for its crystal-clear waters and is located opposite the Peninsula of Spinalonga and 12km north of Agios Nikolaos. 

Dinner: Dinner will be served on board and will be prepared with fresh local ingredients.

5th day

Kolokitha (breakfast 07:30-08:30): Waking up on the fifth day at the beautiful island of Kolokyttha we will have breakfast on board. You are welcome to enjoy a quick morning swim before we take off and head out to Plaka. This Day is devoted to water sun relaxation and all-around enjoyment of the Greek scenery. 

Schedule on land: When we reach Plaka we will visit the island of Spinalonga where you will have a tour of the island and learn all there is to know about its rich history, from how it got its name from the Venetians based on its shape, to how it became a fortress and the island’s most recent history where it served as a leper colony.

After the tour of Spinalonga, we will head back to the Sailing boat and cruise to Kolokitha island. There we will anchor in an isolated bay which is about 6nm and 1 hour away from Plaka. There you can swim and snorkel in the crystal clear waters, sunbathe relax and enjoy what the Cretan climate has to offer. Later, lunch will be served on board where you can enjoy your food while you are gazing upon the beautiful waters and the wild landscape of Kolokitha island. After you finish with your lunch and you are ready to depart, we will sail to Agios Nikolaos where you will have a city tour. Agios Nikolaos is home to beautiful landmarks such as Voulismeni Lake, the town’s jewel which is known for its many legends. According to one Greek Mythology, Athena and Artemis are bathing in its waters. The sweet-water lake becomes one with the sea through a narrow canal and is surrounded by red rock formations and lush vegetation. Around the lake, there are several bars and restaurants making the place pretty animated at night and a great destination for all different kinds of recreation.

Overnight We will spend the night anchored in Agios Nikolaos marina.

Dinner at: We will have dinner at a local tavern in the city of Agios Nikolaos 

6th day

Marina of Ag. Nikolaos (breakfast 07:30-08:30): The last day of our five days tour has come. We find ourselves in Ag. Nikolaos marina where breakfast will be served on board.  

Check-out: The check-out will be at around 10:00 am and we will transfer you back to Heraklion or your hotel.

Highlights

• ​​​​​The visit to Knossos archeological site
• Swimming in the crystal clear water at Dia and Kolokytha
• The ancient olive tree
• The visit to Spinalonga

*Minimum number of participants, 4 persons

*Maximum number of participants, 6-8 persons (per boat)