WALKING IN THE GREEK ISLANDS Friday 26 April - Sunday 19 May 2019
23 nights
WALKING
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
• Hiking across striking landscapes
and through dramatic narrow
gorges.
• Spectacular views of mountains,
plateaus and the sea.
• The impressive coastal path and
secluded beaches of the southern
coast of Crete.
• Exploring the cities and temples of
long-lost civilisations.
• Stunning white-washed villages of
Santorini.
• A food tour in Athens and
memorable food that reflects
different local cuisines and local
wines.
• Chilling out with locals in rustic
villages or seaside tavernas.
TOUR OVERVIEW Discover the Greek mainland and islands at walking pace, mixing spectacular countryside, ruins of civilisations
long gone, beautiful beaches and rustic villages where life goes on much as it has for centuries. This tour
combines energetic walking with more gentle strolls, and allows plenty of time to relax or explore at your own
pace. First explore the capital, visiting the towering Acropolis with its famous Parthenon before diving into
contemporary Athens on a food tour of markets, delicatessens and bakeries. Visit Parnassus, a mountain sacred
to Apollo and site of the ruins of Delphi, before crossing the sea to Crete.
Discover the unspoiled areas of this island as you follow walking paths through wild flowers, lush valleys, stunning
coastline and magnificent mountain-rimmed gorges. Get to know the locals, drink wine with them and relish the
divine Cretan food in tavernas that catch their own seafood and produce their own meat, cheese and olive oil.
Explore the south coast and walk through two impressive gorges, and stop for a refreshing dip in the crystalline
waters at any number of small, deserted beaches. On the island you can also remember the battles of WW2
and visit Souda Bay cemetery where many New Zealanders were buried.
Leave Crete to cruise to two of the most beautiful islands of the Cyclades. Santorini feels like no other place on
earth — an ancient island where everything is brighter, from the whitewashed cubist houses to the sea and the
sunsets that light up the caldera. The steep cliffs of Santorini are layered in colours as a result of a volcanic
explosion thousands of years ago, and in the flooded caldera there is still volcanic activity. Naxos is an island of
contrasts, with a lively town and beaches while life in the countryside is still very traditional.
This tour is for active walkers who want to explore very scenic places and experience fascinating culture, ancient
history, and of course beautiful food and wine.
IS THIS TOUR FOR ME? This is an energetic walking tour that involves walks or treks in sometimes
mountainous areas, and mostly on unsurfaced tracks. A day's walk can be up
to 6 hours (excluding breaks), with climbs of up to 500 m and descents of as
much as 1,200 m. Some days have shorter walks of only about 3 hours, with
smaller elevation gains and losses. You will need to have had recent
experience of walking under these conditions. There is plenty of time to relax
and explore locally, and in most cases you can opt out of a day's walk if
desired.
TOUR PRICE Ex Auckland
Share twin per person NZD$12,759
Single supplement (limited availability) NZD$ 2,200
Please contact Calder & Lawson Tours if you are interested in a single occupancy place.
GROUP SIZE Minimum 10, maximum 18
VARIATIONS IN TRAVEL We can make arrangements for any travel you would like to do before or after this tour, or
book business class seats for the flights. Please contact us.
TOUR EXCLUSIONS
• Airline taxes
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses
• Meals not specified in the itinerary
• Beverages during included meals, unless
specified
• Hotel or airport porterage
TOUR INCLUSIONS
• The services of an experienced, New Zealand-based
Calder & Lawson tour manager
• Economy class airfares
• 19 nights accommodation in Greece and the islands
in 3 - 4 star hotels
• 2 nights accommodation in Dubai
• Breakfast daily, other meals as specified in the
itinerary
• All group transfers as specified in the itinerary
• Admissions as detailed in the itinerary
• Walking and sightseeing with local guides as detailed
in the itinerary
• All tips for local guides and other service providers
• Pre-tour material
• Luggage transfers between accommodation on the
walks
TOUR MANAGER
John Matheson will be your tour manager on this tour. John is as an active
traveller who enjoys walking as a rewarding way to discover places in depth.
Every year since 2005 John, accompanied by his wife, Rosanne, has taken
groups of people on walking tours through the picturesque countryside in
Europe, staying in small villages and sampling local food and wine. The benefit
of his experience and history in these regions is that he knows where to go,
what hidden gems to point out along the way, and how to tailor elements of
the tour to the particular interests of the participants whenever possible. Calder
& Lawson Tours have taken tours to Crete to commemorate the Crete
campaign in World War II on the 50th and 60th anniversaries. John has taken a
walking there and some of his favourite walks are the Samaria and Imbros
Gorges because of their historical significance to New Zealanders.
DAILY ITINERARY
Depart Auckland in the late evening for your overnight flight to Dubai.
After an early arrival in Dubai, transfer to your hotel. Enjoy a free day to
relax.
In the morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Athens, arriving mid-
afternoon. Transfer to your hotel near the ancient Acropolis and settle in for
three nights.
In the early morning visit the famed Acropolis to discover the origins of
ancient Athens and the meticulous restoration of this archaeological jewel.
The rest of the day is at leisure, before a welcome dinner.
Discover what's great about Greek cuisine on a half-day food tour in Athens.
Seize the opportunity to taste a wide variety of Greek delicacies ranging
from feta cheese and famous Greek olives to mouth-watering sweet
creations. Your expert food guide will lead you past produce stalls bursting
with colour, intoxicating spice shops and enticing sweet shops. You will visit
specialty food shops, alluring delicatessens and aromatic bakeries. A
genuine Athenian food tour would not be complete without a visit to the
vibrant central Varvakeios food market, with its bustling energy and loud
bargaining. Afternoon at leisure.
Transfer to Delphi, an impressive area on the slopes of Mount Parnassus that
is the site of the 4th century BC Temple of Apollo, once home to the
legendary oracle. This extensive mountainside archaeological complex also
contains the remains of the Treasury of the Athenians and an ancient
stadium and theatre. The archaeological museum tells the story of Delphi
through displays of artefacts found among the ruins.
In the morning walk along the ancient, zig-zag cobbled trail of Kaki Skala
that climbs above Delphi. It has been used for over a thousand years and
goes all the way to Corycian Cave, but you will climb only as far as the view
point overlooking the stadium at Delphi. Later return to Athens for a late
afternoon flight to Chania in Crete.
Today remember the pivotal role played by New Zealand soldiers in a
valiant but ultimately unsuccessful defence of Crete in 1941. A short drive
takes you to the village of Galatas, where New Zealanders repulsed the
German invasion for long enough to allow the evacuation of many soldiers
from the south coast. As well as seeing two monuments and a small
museum you might spot a street sign for Neozilandon Polemiston, which
means Road of the New Zealand Warriors. Then a short drive takes you to
the Souda Bay cemetery where many of the 671 New Zealanders who died
on Crete were buried. After a short drive back to Chania, explore the old
town on foot with a local guide.
Transfer to Vamos in the Apokoronas region, where you can buy food for a
picnic lunch before walking to Georgioupolis. On arrival there will be free
time to explore Georgioupolis, relax in a café or take a swim before
transferring back to Chania.
Friday 26 April 2019
Auckland – Dubai
Meals in flight
Saturday 27 April
Dubai
Meals: B
Overnight: Dubai
Sunday 28 April
Dubai – Athens
Meals: in flight
Overnight: Athens
Monday 29 April
Athens
Meals: B/D
Overnight: Athens
Tuesday 30 April
Athens
Meals: B
Overnight: Athens
Wednesday 1 May
Athens – Delphi
Meals: B/D
Coach: 2.5 hours
Overnight: Delphi
Thursday 2 May
Delphi – Chania (Crete)
Meals: B/D
Walking: 3km, ascent/descent
150m
Coach: 2.5 hours
Overnight: Chania
Friday 3 May
Chania, Galatas and Souda Bay
Meals: B
Overnight: Chania
Saturday 4 May
Vamos – Georgioupolis
Meals: B
Coach: 45 minutes
Walking: 11 km (4 hours) +250m/-
415m
Overnight: Chania
First travel by coach to Omalos, and then walk down one of Europe's
longest and most spectacular gorges. Enjoy the beautiful landscape, flora
and fauna, but do also stop to look at the little churches and remnants of
villages on the way. Descend to the seaside village of Agia Roumeli, at the
end of the gorge, with plenty of time for a relaxing swim in the crystal clear
Libyan Sea.
Walk from Agia Roumeli to Loutro, from where you catch a ferry to Chora
Sfakion (or Hóra Sfakíon), a small village with a harbour front lined with
tavernas and a few shops. There is a quiet local beach immediately west of
the village, and several pebbly beaches nearby. A shorter walking option is
available, or you could even take the ferry from Agia Roumeli all the way to
Chora Sfakion.
Take a short drive to Imbros Village, located on a picturesque plateau
nearly 800 m above sea level. Here you will begin your walk down through
the spectacular Imbros Gorge, along a path but in places following a
sometimes rocky riverbed. At its narrowest point you can reach the cliffs on
both sides at the same time. You leave the gorge at the rural village of
Komitades, where you can relax in a tavern or café while enjoying the views
across olive trees to the Libyan Sea and the island of Gavdos on the horizon.
From here you can either take a taxi back to Chora Sfakion or continue the
walk through the Sfakiano Gorge, where again you will be rewarded with
attractive scenery and glimpses of old churches and villages. Finally you
take some dirt roads and paths back to Chora Sfakion.
Transfer to Heraklion, Crete's capital and largest city. En route stop at Moni
Arkadi Monastery, an Eastern Orthodox monastery that dates back to 16th
century. The church here is famous for its Venetian architecture, and also
for a siege in 1866 that was a key event in Greece's struggle against
Ottoman rule. The afternoon is free for you to explore the many places of
interest in Heraklion.
In the morning explore nearby Knossos, first settled in Neolithic times but
most famous as the seat of the Minoan civilisation. Knossos was an
important city state until the early Byzantine period. Afternoon at leisure.
Take a morning ferry to the spectacular island of Santorini. Entering the
submerged crater of this old volcano by boat is an unforgettable
experience. You will be awed by the steep, coloured cliffs topped by
white-washed villages. It is said that the eruption 3,600 years ago ended the
Minoan civilization, or was it the source of the legend of Atlantis? In the
afternoon follow the famous walk from Fira to Oia with its fabulous lagoon
views and spectacular sheer cliffs. The walk is mostly via a scenic, wide
mule path. You have free time to wander the beautiful pathways of Oia
and admire the views, before you make your own way back to Fira (or Thira)
by local bus.
After a short transfer to Perissa, begin your walk via Ancient Thira to Pyrgos.
There you can stop in a local café or try local food products. Those wanting
a short walk can return to Fira by coach. Otherwise, continue down an old
path to the quiet inner area of the island, and walk through some of
Santorini's famous vineyards and past picturesque villages to Akrotiri village
before making the short road journey back to your hotel
Sunday 5 May
Chania – Omalos and via
Samaria Gorge to Agia Roumeli
Meals: B
Coach: 1 hour
Walking: 15 km (5-6 hours), +50m/
-1,200m with steep descents
Overnight Agia Roumeli
Monday 6 May
Agia Roumeli – Loutro – Chora
Sfakion
Meals: B/D
Walking: 15 km (5–6 hours), +275
m/-275 m
Overnight: Chora Sfakion
Tuesday 7 May
Imbros Gorge
Meals: B
Walking 12.5 km (4 hours), +350
m/-1,100 m; shorter walk to
Komitades 7.5 km (2.5 hours, +40
m/-670 m
Overnight: Chora Sfakion
Wednesday 8 May
Chora Sfakion – Heraklion
Meals: B/D
Coach: 2.5 hours
Overnight: Heraklion
Thursday 9 May
Knossos
Meals: B
Overnight: Heraklion
Friday 10 May
Heraklion – Santorini
Meals: B/D
Ferry: 1.75 hours
Walking: 10 km (3 hours), +300 m/
-380 m
Overnight: Fira
Saturday11 May
Perissa – Akrotiri
Meals: B
Walking: Perissa–Pyrgos 5 km (3
hours), +500 m/- 280 m, with
detour to Ancient Thira an extra
100 m elevation difference
Walking: Pyrgos–Akrotiri 8 km (2.5
hours), +315 m/-320 m
A free morning on Santorini before taking an afternoon ferry to Naxos, the
largest island in the Cyclades group.
Transfer to Chalki, located in the centre of the Tragea plain. Today you will
explore the fertile centre of Naxos island with its rich vegetation and groves
of olive trees, some of which are over thousand years old. Walk from Chalki
on cobbled paths via the Venetian fortress of Ano Kastro to an ancient
marble quarry that contains a 10-metre-high unfinished statue from the 6th
century BC. Your walk ends in the village of Melanes, from where you will be
transferred back to your hotel overlooking the sea in Naxos town.
Transfer to the island of Paros for a day’s walk.
A relaxing walk that is mostly descending. After a short transfer you walk
through Kinidaros village via steps and then 1.5km on a dirt road. Follow a
beautiful paved path down into a lush river valley until you come to the
Upper Mill Bridge, and then follow the shady riverbed past Agios Georgos
church and via Mesa Ghitonia to Eggares. In this lively village you can visit
an olive press museum and enjoy lunch in local tavern. After a short transfer
back to Naxos the remainder of the afternoon and the evening are free.
Enjoy a free day on Naxos, to relax or explore further. You could take a
boat cruise around the island, enjoying lunch, visiting seaside villages and
swimming. Tonight share a farewell dinner.
Leave Naxos late this morning for Athens, where you will transfer for an
evening flight to Dubai.
Depart this morning for an overnight flight to Auckland.
Arrive mid-morning at Auckland Airport.
Sunday 12 May
Fira – Naxos
Meals: B
Ferry: 2 hours
Overnight: Naxos
Monday 13 May
Chalki
Meals: B/D
Coach: 1 hour return
Walking: 10 km (3.5 hours),
+150m/-150m
Overnight: Naxos
Tuesday 14 May
Paros
Meals: B
Wednesday 15 May
Kinidaros – Eggares
Meals: B/L
Walking: 7 km (2.5 hours), +100
m/-400 m
Overnight: Naxos
Thursday 16 May
Naxos
Meals: B/D
Overnight: Naxos
Friday 17 May
Naxos – Athens - Dubai
Meals: B/in flight
Overnight: Dubai airport hotel
Saturday 18 May
Dubai – Auckland
Meals: in flight
Sunday 19 May
Auckland
HOW TO SECURE YOUR PLACE ON THIS TOUR
A deposit of $1,000 is required to secure your place on the tour. When minimum numbers are reached, the tour
will become a ‘confirmed departure’. At that point we will advise when the full tour payment will be due.
• Click here to complete the online registration form, pay the $1,000 deposit and your spot in this tour is
secured.
• Or you can complete a paper registration form. You can down load one from the website
www.calderandlawsontours.co.nz, or give us a call and we will email or post one to you.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Can be found on the website www.calderandlawsontours.co.nz, on the back of the paper registration form or on
the summary page when you complete an online registration.
VARIATIONS
This itinerary is Version 2 dated 23/08/2018 and is subject to change.
Exchange rate fluctuations may result in a change to the tour price.