Walking Holidays in Crete 2009

Country Walking in Crete 2009

Tuesday 28 April-Tuesday 5 May

Tuesday 13 October - Tuesday 20 October

FULLY PROTECTED: All holiday payments are protected by Pure Crete ATOL licence 2757 (for your flight), our Total Payment Protection Policy (for your accommodation) and UK package regulations 1992 (for your consumer rights).

2009’s Country Walking holiday week comprises five days of newly chosen leisurely-paced walks taking in the hills and the valleys of Western Crete as well as traditional villages and quiet ancient sites which are particularly beautiful in the Spring and Autumn with the abundance of wild flowers and plants

The walks, which include the foothills of Vamos, Ancient Lappa, Argiroupoli Springs, Polirina and Lilia, are best described as moderate and are suitable for all ramblers. During this walking week you will not be climbing mountains although inclines can never be avoided in this part of the world. Rather you will be exploring Crete's open countryside, its gorges, hills and villages under the leadership of tour guide Tony Taylor (seen leading the spring 2007 tour in the photograph above, courtesy of John King).

Each walk of 3 to 4 hours has regular rest stops and ends in the early afternoon in a village giving walkers the option of eating in a taverna or having a picnic, before being driven back to the village accommodation. Meals are not included in the cost of the walking holiday in Crete (except for the first day evening meal) Walking boots or strong comfortable shoes are recommended.

The Pure Crete walking holiday in Crete is suitable for single travellers as well as couples and small groups. The price, £725 per person in April and £685pp in Ocotober, includes your flight and a week of Pure Crete accommodation.

Letters received from 'Walking Week' clients:

'We have just returned from the excellent Walking Week based in Megala Chorafia and wish to record our heartfelt thanks especially to Tony Taylor.

Tony was professional and very knowledgeable about the different areas covered. We found him a very personable leader and he provided not only expert guidance on the walks themselves but also engendered an atmosphere within the party such that each was individually enthusiastic whilst all interacted together in a friendly group. This inspired an overall desire by everyone to get the best out of the experience.

Excellent walking holiday, superbly led by Tony Taylor! Loved it cant wait to go back.' Graham Ashton

'We had a wonderful holiday with you. We cant fault a thing. The organisation was excellent and the walking was tremendous. I have recommended you to all my friends. Thank you'
Mrs S.

Country Walking Itinerary

[As always the walks are subject to change dependent on local conditions, but we are committed to ensuring that there are two new walks this year.]

Day 1: Tuesday

Flight from Gatwick airport to Chania airport and taxi transfers to accommodation. In the early evening you will meet your walk leader at the local taverna, followed by a meal together.

Day 2: Wednesday

Meet at 9.00am in the village square; transport to Vamos.

Walk: ‘The foothills of Vamos, the Karidhi monastery and the villages of Kalamitsi’

Taverna lunch in Gavalohori. Return to the village accommodation around 3.30 pm with a stop at the supermarket for provisions.

Day 3: Thursday

Meet at 9.00am in the village square; transport to Katochori.

Walk: ‘The Diktamos or Oak Tree Gorge’

Taverna lunch in Kalives. Return to village accommodation around 3.30 pm.

Day 4: Friday

Meet at 8.30am in the village square for the journey west to Vilandredho.

Walk: ‘The Gorge of Kato Poros, the Lower Gate of Ancient Lappa and Argiropolis’

Taverna lunch by Lake Kournas. Return to village accommodation around 4 pm.

Day 5: Saturday

A free day to rest or do further walking or sightseeing on your own. You could enjoy the many attractions of Chania, or hire a car to explore further a-field or, for the more energetic (and if open), an opportunity to walk the renowned Samaria Gorge. The Samaria Gorge usually opens on the 1st May each year, however if there is little rainfall in April it may open earlier.

Day 6: Sunday

Meet at 8.30am in the village square; transport to the Askifou Plateau.

Walk: ‘The Imbros Gorge and the South Coast’

Taverna lunch above the plateau at Kares . Return to village accommodation around 3.30 pm.

Day 7: Monday

Meet at 8.30am in the village square for the journey east to Polirrinia.

Walk: ‘Ancient Polirrinia, the Sirikari Gorge and the organic village of Milia’

Taverna lunch in Milia, the village of apples. Return to village accommodation about 4 pm

Day 8: Tuesday

Transfer to Chania for an afternoon flight to England.

For availability and reservations please call

0845 070 1571 (local rate)

email: info@purecrete.com

Pure Crete,
Bolney Place,
Cowfold Road,
Haywards Heath,
West Sussex
RH17 5QT

Tel: ++44 (0)845 070 1571

Fax: ++44 (0)845 070 1572