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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.

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Page 1: WALKING WALKING IN THE GREEK ISLANDS...2018/08/19  · afternoon flight to Chania in Crete. Today remember the pivotal role played by New Zealand soldiers in a valiant but ultimately

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.

Page 2: WALKING WALKING IN THE GREEK ISLANDS...2018/08/19  · afternoon flight to Chania in Crete. Today remember the pivotal role played by New Zealand soldiers in a valiant but ultimately

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.

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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

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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

Page 5: WALKING WALKING IN THE GREEK ISLANDS...2018/08/19  · afternoon flight to Chania in Crete. Today remember the pivotal role played by New Zealand soldiers in a valiant but ultimately

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.