Crete Family Holiday

Trip Code: ZGFC

Why we love it

Get behind the scenes of Cretan cuisine during a hands-on cooking class where you’ll learn how to make Kalitsounia – the traditional and super tasty pastries that the whole family will love!, Take a step back in time during a guided visit to Knossos – the ancient capital of the Minoan civilisation. Explore the remains of a palace, its courtyards, apartments and more., Experience a different side of Crete during a visit to a local organic farm – the kids will love picking vegetables, collecting eggs and milking goats (and you’ll love sampling some deliciously local and organic wine)., Enjoy a scenic boat trip along the south coast of the island, stopping in secluded bays for refreshing swims. This is sure to be a highlight of your time in Crete – just look at that water!, Visit the beautiful mountain villages outside of Chania, where you’ll enjoy a traditionally cooked lunch in a tavern that is so authentic, it doesn’t even use electricity., By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Amurtel, who provide a safe space for refugee women and children in Greece. Donations help them provide antenatal and postnatal care programs run by qualified midwives.

Is this trip right for me?

Don’t let the heat keep you from exploring the world! Summer temperatures can be very high in Greece (over 40°C), making things uncomfortable. It’s essential to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat, and drink plenty of water. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability for that season.

Make sure you pack some sturdy and comfortable shoes, as there can be a lot of walking around the towns, ruins and walking trails of this area.

On this trip, it’s advised that you pack as lightly as possible, as you’ll be expected to carry your own bag. Although you won't be required to walk long distances with your luggage, we strongly recommend keeping the weight around 15 kg (33lb). Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient, although your bag should have carry straps to accommodate the cobbled streets, uneven surfaces, stairs and steps you will likely encounter. You'll also need a daypack for day trips.

Important information

1. Please note that these trips are for adults and children travelling together and there must be at least one child under 18 with you.
2. Minimum age for children on this trip is 5 years old.
3. A discount of 10% applies on this trip to children under 17 years of age at time of travel.
4. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

What to bring/pack

Remember - the lighter you travel the better! A soft-sided duffel bag is the ideal form of luggage. It is recommended that you keep your luggage weight around 15kg and certainly no more than 20kg. A small or medium-sized backpack (45-50 litres) is another good option, but preferably one without a frame. Many hotels used in Europe do not have lifts, so you must be able to carry your own luggage.

We operate trips in Europe in spring, summer and the start of autumn. Bear in mind that the weather will vary significantly from place to place also depending on the time of year. Remember that quality rain gear is essential for any destination - you’ll enjoy your holiday to the fullest if you’re prepared for all kinds of weather! Laundry facilities are available in some destinations.

Below is a list of equipment and documentation that we suggest you take with you. Please use this checklist as a guide when packing for your holiday.

Essential items:
- Travel documents: passport, visa (if required), travel insurance, air tickets or e-ticket receipts, Trip Notes
- Money: cash/credit card/debit card
- Small first-aid kit
- Daypack suitable to store some water, a jacket and snacks.
- Electrical adapter plug
- Sunscreen, lip balm, sunhat and sunglasses
- Comfortable and sturdy walking shoes with good walking socks
- Travel or beach Towel

Recommended items:
- Money belt and small padlocks
- Watch/alarm clock and torch/flashlight (and spare batteries)
- Travel wipes/hand sanitiser
- Insect repellent
- Earplugs and eye mask (for light sleepers)
- Extra pair of prescription glasses (if required)
- 2 strong plastic garbage bags (for laundry and in case of rain)
- Refillable water bottle
- Phrase book/translation app
- Warm clothes/fleece – particularly for spring/autumn departures
- Wind and waterproof jacket
- Camera

If you are purchasing new footwear for your trip we recommend that you undertake some walking before-hand to ensure that they are comfortable and are the correct size. In any event we advise some preparatory walking before you commence your trip.

WATER BOTTLE
Please bring your own water bottle to refill along the way. Although it can be difficult to avoid bottled water when travelling, please use the water dispensers which are provided on some of our vehicles and at some of our accommodation. Your group leader or local representative will advise whether tap water is safe to drink in your destination and if it is you can simply refill with tap water. When unable to avoid bottled water it is better to buy the largest available and distribute into your smaller bottle for the day. If you are walking or trekking as part of your trip you will need to carry at least 2L of water with you.

TRAVELLING ON LOCAL TRANSPORT
It's important that your bags can be locked, as on local transport it may be necessary that your luggage gets stowed separately (and unattended). The smaller your bag the better for you and other passengers. To ensure maximum comfort, try to pack small and light., TECHNOLOGY
With the modern world you may want to bring along tablets of smartphones for the children to document their adventure - there are a wide variety of apps out there which we suggest downloading before you depart. There will be opportunities to charge ( just make sure you bring the correct adapter) and there will be wi-fi available on your trip, although it will probably not be at the speeds you are used to at home and it won't be available everywhere.

Physical rating

 
2

Joining your group

Hotel Capsis Astoria, Plateia Eleftherias, Iraklio 712 02, Heraklion, GREECE

Capsis Astoria Hotel is located at at the city’s main square, in the historic center of Crete’s capital city and right next to one of Europe’s most important Museums, the renowned Heraklion Archaeological Museum. All rooms have ensuite bathrooms, air conditioning, TV, phone, and are fully equipped with modern facilities. The roof top bar and swimming pool are operated only during summer period. The hotel has a gym, game room and library.

Alternate Joining Point


Joining instructions

If you arrive at Heraklio airport ( code HER), metered taxis are readily available 24 hours. Heraklio City center is appx 5 Km ( 3.1 miles) from Heraklio airport. Alternatively you can use public bus ( blue buses to the city center) stop at Eleftherias Sq./ just in front of Astoria hotel. Buses operate from 6:00 am to 10:30 pm. Tickets you can buy on the bus from the driver, and you can pay only cash.

Pre booked arrival transfer from Heraklio airport (HER): If you have pre booked an arrival transfer, your transfer driver will be waiting in the arrivals hall holding a board with the Intrepid Logo or your name. In case of flight cancellations, changes, if you experience severe delays at immigration, baggage collection or customs, or if you are not able to find the driver, please contact the transfer operator directly: +30 6978900430.

Finishing your trip

Hotel Archontiki, 12 Mylonogianni & Kriari Str. Chania, Crete, GREECE, Phone: +302 821095895

Archontiki City Hotel is family-run hotel, enjoying a central location in the city of Chania, located between the square of the Municipal Market and the 1866 square, right next to the beautiful old Venetian port. All rooms and reception have free wireless internet access, refrigerator, TFT TV set and air conditioning.

Alternate Finish Point

For trips departing on the following dates
use this finish point.
12 Apr 2025 (ZGFC250412)
12 Jul 2025 (ZGFC250712)
26 Jul 2025 (ZGFC250726)
09 Aug 2025 (ZGFC250809)
16 Aug 2025 (ZGFC250816)
Hotel Kydon
Sofoklis Venizelos Sq. & 2
Str. Tzanakaki
Chania
GREECE
Phone: +30 2821052280

Meals & dietary information

Breakfasts included: 6

Lunches included: 3

Dinners included: 

While travelling with us you and your family will experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you and your family more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There's no obligation to do this though. If you or a member of your family have dietary requirements and/or food allergies, please let your booking agent know prior to departure.

Climate & seasonal information

HOT WEATHER
Summer temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius, which can be uncomfortable for those not used to the heat. Please consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.

In case of emergency

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.

For general contact details please use the following page: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/ourtrips/contact/

In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:

Intrepid's Local Operator: +49 8024 4679 540

Accommodations

GENERAL ROOMING CONFIGURATIONS:
Family of two - All family groupings of two will be put into a twin room.
Family of three - Wherever possible we will put you in a triple room. Please be aware that in a handful of places triple rooms are in short supply. This means that, in practice, a triple room will often simply be a twin room with a mattress on the floor or a further bed squashed in. Where it is impossible to provide a triple room, you will have to decide which of your party takes the single room.
Family of four or more - You will most likely stay in two twin rooms. If and wherever possible we will aim put you in a quadruple room. Whilst we will do our very best to ensure that families are roomed close together (in some cases, we can arrange adjoining rooms), we can’t guarantee this. Most family holidays occur during peak season and we sometimes have little to no control over where you will be put. You need to come prepared for this.

Transportation