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Kissamos - A Cretan Delight

Discover the charm of Kissamos on a gentle walking holiday in Crete. Explore ancient sites, scenic plateaus, and beautiful harbours. Enjoy leisurely walks, delicious cuisine, and the allure of the Mediterranean. Unwind on sandy beaches and savour the essence of Greece.

  • Crete

  • Half Board
  • Coast & Islands

    Culture

  • May

    Sep

  • Average group size: 12-14

What does this mean?

Grade Leisurely

Leisurely

What does this mean?

7 Nights

From

£1,749
With flights and transfers
£1,404
Without flights
View Dates & Book Now Group Booking of 8+
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Walking grade

Grade 3

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Adagio Collection

The perfect blend of guided shorter walks, sightseeing trips, and quality accommodation for a more leisurely way to discover the world.

Overview

Holiday Highlights

  • Relax on sandy shores and take refreshing swims in the crystal-clear waters.
  • Explore the enchanting town of Chania and visit historical sites ranging from the Minoan era to World War Two.
  • Dine in local tavernas, sampling traditional Greek cuisine.
  • Walk through quiet Cretan villages and olive groves, stopping to taste organic oil, and wines.

This tour explores the captivating town of Kissamos and its surrounding natural beauty. Situated in the enchanting region of Crete, Greece, this carefully crafted itinerary promises an unforgettable experience of leisurely walks and immersive cultural exploration.

Kissamos, with its serene coastal charm and traditional Greek character, serves as the perfect starting point for our journey. As you venture through the picturesque town, with charming cafes and tavernas, and glimpses of the authentic Cretan way of life.

Throughout the gentle walks, you'll meander along tranquil paths and lanes. The terrain, carefully selected to ensure a relaxed pace, allows you to revel in the mesmerising beauty of the Cretan countryside without strenuous exertion.

Cultural exploration is also at the heart of this holiday. You'll visit historical sites, ancient ruins, and charming villages where the echoes of Greece's fascinating past come to life. From archaeological treasures to centuries-old churches, the cultural tapestry of Kissamos will captivate our imagination.

Of course, you cannot overlook the gastronomic delights that await you. As you walk, you'll savour authentic Cretan cuisine, tasting local delicacies and sipping on regional wines that perfectly complement the culinary journey.

Throughout this gentle walking and sightseeing holiday, the focus remains on relaxation and exploration. Our Kissamos adventure promises to leave you with cherished memories and a deeper appreciation for the natural and cultural wonders of Crete. So, lace up your walking shoes and get ready to discover the best of Kissamos, one gentle step at a time.

  • Return flights from London to Chania.
  • Airport transfers.
  • En suite two-star hotel accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis.
  • Half Board with dinners taken at local tavernas and one lunch.
  • All local transport required for the itinerary by private coach.
  • All entrances and tastings included in the itinerary.
  • All local tips.
  • Local hotel taxes.
  • Services of an Adagio Tour Leader.
  • Entrance fees (unless otherwise specified)
  • Personal expenses (such as your bar bill)
  • Discretionary tips
  • Optional excursions
  • Travel Insurance

Holiday Information

Click the button below for a detailed Holiday Information Sheet containing all the particulars about this trip.

NOTE: Itineraries and Holiday Information Sheets can vary by a specific date chosen

View Holiday Information Sheet

Tour Codes

55700

Itinerary & Travel

Itinerary Details

Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the outlined itinerary and advertised programme, local conditions can change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. This may mean that routes and timings need to be amended or the order of days may change, sometimes at short notice.

Your Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Kissamos

Meals

Dinner

Accommodation

You depart the UK and fly to Chania Airport. On arrival you take a transfer to our hotel in Kissamos (60 minutes). Depending on your arrival time we may have time for a short orientation before heading to dinner in a local taverna. 

Transfer Time = 1 hour

Day 2

Ancient Kissamos guided walk and visit to the Archaeological Museum and Coastal Walk in Nopigia

Meals

Breakfast & Dinner

Accommodation

In the morning you will explore ancient Kissamos, on a 2km walk from the hotel, discovering excavation sites and churches, and finishing with an hour to visit the Archaeological Museum in the town square to give you an overview of the local history and geology.  We finish by having a light meze lunch (included in holiday costs) at the Taverna in the town square near the Museum.

In the afternoon we travel by local transport to Nopigia, a beautiful unspolit stretch of beach just 4 miles away.   Here the walk takes you along the coast to a small chapel, 3 miles flat, with beautiful views.  There will be time to swim, and take refreshments in the beachside taverna. 



  • Time

    1.5 hours

  • Distance

    2.4 miles

  • Ascent/Descent

    85m

Today you travel to the beautiful area of Deliana for a circular walk up the valley and a short distance into the spectacular gorge. After your walk the minibus will take you to Astrikas Estate for a tour of their Olive Oil Press, finishing off with a tasty meze snack and a chance to enjoy the surroundings of the beautiful estate with fantastic views towards the village of Roka in the distance. On your journey back to Kissamos there will be a stop at the Pnevmatikakis Winery for a short but interesting tour. The tour finishes in their tasting room with a large selection of wines to try as well as a chance to buy the products.

Day 3

Deliana Gorge and Astrikas Estate

Meals

Breakfast & Dinner

Accommodation

  • Time

    2 hours

  • Distance

    3.8 miles

  • Ascent/Descent

    248m

Today you travel to the beautiful area of Deliana for a circular walk up the valley and part way into the spectacular gorge. There is an option to shorten the walk for those who wish. After your walk the minibus will take you to Astrikas Estate for a tour of their Olive Oil Press, finishing off with a tasty meze snack and a chance to enjoy the surroundings of the beautiful estate with fantastic views towards the village of Roka in the distance.

Day 4

Chania

Meals

Breakfast & Dinner

Accommodation

Today you transfer to Chania. Chania is a beautiful coastal city located on the northwest coast. It is renowned for its picturesque Venetian harbour, where historic buildings and colourful fishing boats create a charming atmosphere. Chania boasts a rich history, evident in its well-preserved old town with narrow streets, ancient architecture, and fascinating landmarks. We start with a visit to the Archaeological Museum, then walk through the old town to the harbour. You have free time to have lunch and explore the many sights, museums and shops Chania has to offer

Day 5

Kolymbari Monastery & Platanias WW2 Tunnels

Meals

Breakfast & Dinner

Accommodation

  • Time

    2.5 hours

  • Distance

    3 miles

  • Ascent/Descent

    123/65m

The coastal coach journey takes you past the area of the 1941 Battle of Crete, including Maleme airfield, to reach the fascinating historical WW2 tunnels in the upper village of Platanias, built in 1942 under German supervision. We visit the tunnels, and take refreshments in the hillside taverna, before starting the 3 mile walk to the tranquil riverside garden Taverna at Drakiana where you will enjoy a light meze lunch.

After a leisurely lunch your coach will take you to nearby Agia Lake where we take a leisurely stroll around the Lake, a haven for birdwatchers. We will have time for drinks in the Lakeside Café before returning back to Kissamos Hotel.

Day 6

A visit to Omalos, followed by a visit to the Botanical Gardens of Crete

Meals

Breakfast & Dinner

Accommodation

  • Time

    1.5 hours

  • Distance

    2.9 miles

  • Ascent/Descent

    95/10m

The plateau of Omalos is the largest of all the fertile plains on Crete, surrounded by Lefka Ori (White Mountains). It is famous for having the entrance to the Samaria Gorge, so most people just pass through it without noticing it’s beauty. It is almost round with a diameter of 2.5km. It is renowned for being covered in flowers in Spring.. From here you start the walk to the reservoir where there is a viewing platform before continuing on a quiet road back to the minibus which will take you to Xyloskalo to view Gingolos and the start of the famous Samaria Gorge. Once you have finished admiring the beauty of the gorge you will head back in the minibus and travel north again through  the village of Lakoi, which is renowned for its resistance to all the invaders of Crete, including the Venetians, the Ottomans, and the Germans.

The bus continues on to visit the Botanical Gardens which has plants from many different countries. Please note the gardens are located on the side of a hill, it is easier to go down but there is a steep incline to get back up. There is a restaurant to sit and have food and drinks and a shop to explore for those who do not want to visit the gardens.

Day 7

A visit to Kolymbari Monastery. A walk from Rokka to Koleni

Meals

Breakfast & Dinner

Accommodation

  • Time

    4 hours

  • Distance

    4.4 miles

  • Ascent/Descent

    60/200m

You start the day at nearby Kolymbari where you spend time discovering the monastery and its museum which displays wonderful Icon paintings.

You then continue to the small inland village of Rokka where you start your walk,  pausing to take in the magnificent view of the Roka Gorge where you will see the Griffon Vultures flying around. There are Hellenistic rock dwellings in the caves on the hillside above the path, and remains of a Venetian settlement below. Picnic lunch is taken in Kera village, before finishing the walk in Koleni village.

On your journey back to Kissamos there will be a visit to the Pnevmatikakis Winery for a short but interesting tour. The tour finishes in their tasting room with a large selection of wines to try as well as a chance to buy the products, a merry way to finish our hoiday.

Day 8

Departure Day

Meals

Breakfast

You have breakfast and check out before heading back to Chania airport for your flight back to the UK, with a short stop at the Souda Bay Commonwealth War Cemetery en route.

From (GBP)£1,749 With flights and transfers

Departure dates for your selected tour

18th May 2027 - 25th May 2027 (7 Nights)

21st Sep 2027 - 28th Sep 2027 (7 Nights)

Travel Details

  •  London to Chania. On arrival you  transfer to your hotel, the transfer is approximately one hour. 
  • Upgrades are available on most flights. For scheduled flights this may be Premium Economy, Business or First Class. Most low-cost carriers also have extra legroom seats.
  • If direct regional flights are not available, we can often offer add-on flights to a London airport at a competitive rate. Please ask us for details and a competitive quote.
  • Flights from UK regional airports may be available on some dates

Accommodation

Accommodation information

Below is the accommodation featured on this holiday across all departure dates. Please refer to the Itinerary for more detail about each night's accommodation for each departure date.

Kissamos Hotel

This small family-run hotel is located in the centre of Kissamos and has a total of 24 rooms. This 2 star hotel boasts its own wonderful outdoor swimming pool with sun beds and umbrellas to relax, as well as beautiful greenery surrounding the outdoor area where you can sit and enjoy a coffee or a cocktail from the outdoor bar! The hotel is a 15 minute walk from the beach and a 5 minute walk to Kissamos town centre with plenty of local tavernas, cafes and shops. Rooms in the hotel are all equipped with ensuite facilities, balcony, refrigerator, TV, A/C, safe and hairdryers. Please bring your own towels for the pool and beach. 

Trip Information

All the details you need

Holiday Grade

We class Grade 3 as leisurely; walks are generally a little longer than level 2, with undulations but over a longer distance. Where sightseeing distances are longer, we take a full day with opportunities to stop, rest and refuel. Generally, itineraries involve easy countryside walking with plenty of breaks,   

Usual daily walks - Distance: 4 miles; Ascent/Descent 300m; Terrain: generally good paths and tracks; Walking Time: Half Day or Full Day walks. 

The above statistics are generalisations of a day’s keys walk, it does not include distance covered during general sightseeing or  daily activity. Detailed information of the daily walking requirements are specified in the specific holidays ‘Daily Itinerary" .

Local Costs

Country Currency

The currency in Greece is the euro. ATMs and banks are widely available in the larger towns and villages. Most establishments accept credit/debit cards. You may wish to take some euro in cash with you for the first day or so until you locate a bank.

Your Group

Your Leader

Your Adagio Leader accompanies the group throughout the holiday, helping everything run smoothly from start to finish. Experienced travellers and enthusiastic group leaders, they create the friendly, relaxed atmosphere that is such an important part of the Adagio experience. They take care of the practical arrangements, provide support when needed and help ensure everyone gets the most from their holiday.

Travel Plans

Booking Your Own Travel Arrangements

If you prefer to arrange your own flights from a non-UK or regional airport or travel to your holiday destination by rail or car, you may qualify for 'land only' reductions, and we can provide details upon request. Feel free to reach out to us for more information.

Before finalizing any independent travel arrangements, especially if you're doing so 12 weeks or more before your intended travel date, please check with us first to ensure your holiday has been cleared to operate. If you plan to join your holiday locally, kindly inform us at least 14 weeks in advance.

If you're joining and leaving your holiday overseas, we assume, unless you specify otherwise, that you will join and leave the holiday at your hotel.

Although airport/station transfers are not included for those making independent travel arrangements, you may have the option to join the group at the overseas airport/station, depending on your arrival time. If interested, contact us at least 5 weeks before departure for more details.

Please be aware that you must arrive within 30 minutes of the group flight/train arrival to be eligible for the group transfer. Additionally, we'll need your flight number, arrival time, and departure point or independent travel arrangements to ensure the group leader can meet up with you. If you have a mobile, please ensure we have the number, and it is turned on while you are traveling for effective communication.

Luggage Allowance & Tickets

If you're booking a flight or rail inclusive holiday, rest assured that details of your travel arrangements and baggage allowance will be clearly outlined in your 'Final Travel Documents'. These will be sent to you approximately 10 days before your departure, ensuring you have all the necessary information for a smooth and well-prepared journey.

Personal Details Check

Please ensure your personal details, including your passport information and date of birth, are accurate and up to date, and that we have all the information needed to arrange your holiday. If you have any dietary allergies or intolerances, please let us know.

You can view and update your details using Manage My Booking on our website or by contacting our Sales & Reservations team on +44 (0)1707 331133. Please check your booking confirmation carefully and notify us of any changes as soon as possible.

Passport Information

General Passport Advice

It is a good idea to carry photocopies of the personal details pages of your passport page (with your photo on). Should you lose your passport, this may assist with the issue of replacement documents and your return to your home country. Passport and visa requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements. 

General travel and destination advice for UK nationals is available from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at www.fco.gov.uk/travel and at www.gov.uk/travelaware.

Passport Advice

If you are planning to travel to an EU country (except Ireland), or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City, you must meet the Schengen area rules.

Your passport must meet 2 requirements. It must be:

  • less than 10 years old on the day you enter (check the ‘date of issue’)
  • valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

Your passport may need to be less than 10 years old during your whole visit, and the 3 months at the end of your visit may need to be within 10 years of your passport’s issue date.

Check both the issue date and the expiry date in your passport. If you renewed your passport early, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. This could affect the requirement for your passport to be less than 10 years old.

Non British Passport holders should consult the host country’s embassy for applicable passport and visa entry requirements.

Meals

Breakfasts are taken in our hotel. Dinners are taken in local tavernas where we get a chance to sample delicious traditional cuisine such as fresh fish, local cheeses, stuffed vine leaves and spinach pie.

Lunches are at your own expense and can be purchased from a local supermarket/café or at a taverna on the day, depending on your location.

Footwear & Kit List

Footwear

Comfortable, broken in, walking boots or shoes with a good sole are recommended for this holiday. Walking shoes or other comfortable footwear will be suitable for sightseeing days.

General Kit List

Outdoor activities are always safer and more enjoyable if you are prepared.

If you have not travelled with us before the following list might be of use:

  • Waterproof jacket (Goretex or similar) and trousers
  • Fleece or jumper
  • Sun hat, sunglasses, lip salve and sun screen
  • Swimwear & towel (if appropriate)
  • Day sack (this should be able to carry all you would need for the days activity)
  • Water bottle - at least 1 litre capacity
  • Basic first aid kit
  • Reusable Lunchbox
  • Walking poles (should you find them useful)

This list is not exhaustive and every traveller is different and may have their own preference.

Electricity in Greece

Electricity is supplied at 220 Volts. If you wish to use electrical equipment you will need a European two pin adaptor with round pins. More information can be found at https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/

Staying Healthy on Holiday

Country Health

For the latest health advice and entry requirements for Greece, please visit the GOV.UK travel advice for Greece and NaTHNaC.

Further Health Advice

For further advice please visit:

You might wish to take a small bottle of antibacterial hand gel with you for times when you're unable to wash your hands.

Travel Insurance

GHIC / EHIC Cards

Starting January 1st, 2021, you, as a UK traveller, can continue using your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) throughout its valid five-year period, granting you access to medical assistance during your holiday until its expiry date. Be aware, though, that this coverage will no longer extend to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland. In case you don't have a valid EHIC, you can apply for a new UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which will replace the EHIC as it gets phased out.

It's essential to emphasize that the EHIC/GHIC, while valuable, should not be regarded as a substitute for comprehensive medical or travel insurance. For your peace of mind and comprehensive coverage, considering additional insurance is highly recommended.

For more information, please visit www.nhs.uk/ehic

Travel Insurance

It’s a condition of booking that you obtain adequate travel insurance, from a reputable provider, to undertake the holiday, including UK trips chiefly due to the cancellation element of cover.

The policy must cover the period from the date of booking to the last day of your trip and should include, as a minimum, cover for: medical expenses (including the consequences of a Covid positive test result), mountain rescue including helicopter rescue, death, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment and shall not have exclusion clauses limiting cover for the activities you will partake in on your trip, including altitudes reached in the holiday arrangement. It is your responsibility to check that your policy is adequate for the nature and destination of the holiday booked.

Once you have obtained your travel insurance, please provide us with the name of your travel insurer, the policy number and the insurer’s 24 hour emergency assistance number.

In the event that you fail to obtain suitable Travel Insurance we shall not be liable for any costs incurred or claims made against us due to your failure to comply with this term.

If travelling outside the UK you must carry proof of insurance with you and produce it if reasonably requested to do so by RWH Travel staff, tour leaders or suppliers. No refunds will be made should you be excluded from the walking programme through being uninsured or you being unable to demonstrate that you are insured.

If you are travelling to an EU country or Switzerland please also ensure that you have either an existing valid EU EHIC card (European Health Insurance Card) or a valid UK GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card). You can apply for a UK GHIC free of charge on the NHS website at https://services.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/cra/start.

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Useful Information

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Greece

  • Capital

    Athens

  • Currency

    Euro

  • Language

    Greek

  • Time Difference

    UTC +03:00

  • Flight duration

    4hrs from UK

Visas and Passports

No Visa Required

Average weather

  • January

    9°C

    Avg. Rain: 91mm

  • February

    9°C

    Avg. Rain: 78mm

  • March

    11°C

    Avg. Rain: 65mm

  • April

    15°C

    Avg. Rain: 43mm

  • May

    19°C

    Avg. Rain: 29mm

  • June

    24°C

    Avg. Rain: 15mm

  • July

    26°C

    Avg. Rain: 10mm

  • August

    26°C

    Avg. Rain: 11mm

  • September

    23°C

    Avg. Rain: 28mm

  • October

    18°C

    Avg. Rain: 71mm

  • November

    14°C

    Avg. Rain: 94mm

  • December

    10°C

    Avg. Rain: 106mm

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