Dilinato Parish: 6 days pilgrimage tour program in Crete (Chania – Rethymno – Heraklion)
Published: Monday, May 01, 2023 09:14
6 days pilgrimage tour PROGRAM CRETE – CHANIA – RETHYMNO – HERACLEION 05-10/06/2023
1st Day: Monday 05/06/2023- KEFALONIA- PIRAEUS Departure in the morning from Metropolis to the port of Poros bound for the port of Piraeus. Intermediate stop, on the way to Piraeus, to eat. Arrival at the end of the afternoon at the port of Piraeus and boarding the ship bound for Chania, Crete. Accommodation in the cabins and overnight.
2nd Day: Tuesday 06/06/2023 – CHANIA-SOUDA-SANTA TRINIDAD-MONI KORAKIES Early morning arrival at the port of Chania in Souda. Boarding the bus to the Monastery of the Holy Trinity of Tzagaroli. This particular Monastery is one of the most impressive monasteries in Crete, with a special history from 1611 to the present day. After finishing our visit we have to visit the city of Chania. Chania is a coastal city in the northwest of Crete, which has one of its most important ports. It is the second largest city on the island and considered one of the most beautiful in the Mediterranean. At the end of our tour we will have lunch in a traditional tavern. Flooded with beautiful images and tastes, we will go to the hotel, to settle in and rest in our rooms. In the early afternoon we will visit the Holy Monastery of the Holy Precursor of Korakia. This particular monastery stands out for its history, but also for its antiquity, which dates back to around 1453. End of our day with free time and accommodation at the hotel.
3rd Day: Wednesday 06/07/2023 – IM CHRYSOPIGIS- IM GONIAS—ORTHODOX ACADEMY OF CRETE – THERISSO – After enjoying our breakfast at the hotel, we leave to visit IM Crisopigis. From the 16th century until recently there has been a men’s monastery, another monastery with a long history for all these years. We continue to visit IM Gonia, also known as the Monastery of Our Lady of the Angels of Gonia, due to its location at the western end of Chania Bay, resembling a “corner”. The Gonia Monastery played an important role in local history. It was always a focus of resistance for all the conquerors of Crete and for this reason it was destroyed many times by various conquerors, as a violin nailed to its eastern wall still attests. We continue our tour to the Cretan Orthodox Academy, which is an Institution that works within the framework of the Holy Metropolis of Kissamos and Selinos and the Church of Crete, which has a semi-autonomous status within the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The spiritual patron of the OAK is the Ecumenical Patriarch, whose name is mentioned in all the rites of the Foundation. The next stop is a historical village of the Municipality of Chania, Therisos. A village built at the foot of the White Mountains and near the “Eleftherios Venizelos” gorge. An important monument of the town is the holy church of Agios Georgios, dating from the second half of the 16th century. In Therisos there are also two museums where weapons, documents, photographic material and personal effects of Eleftherios Venizelos are exhibited in one. At the same time, in 2003 the National Resistance Museum of the town was inaugurated, which has weapons, objects of combatants, newspaper clippings and other exhibits related to the period 1941-1945. And somewhere here in a traditional tavern we will have lunch and we will drink a little later we will board the bus to return to the hotel to rest and free time.
4th Day: Thursday 08/06/2023 – IM ARKADIOU- IM PALIANIS-RETHYMNO – HERACLEION Having finished our breakfast, we will leave the hotel with our luggage as we will be transferred to the largest prefecture of Crete, Heraklion. So starting, before reaching Heraklion, we will also visit the traditional Rethymnon, with IM Arkadiou. The Arkadiou Monastery became known in the different periods of its life for different events each time. In the 17th century it was a well-known center for copying manuscripts, an activity that provided significant income to the monks of the Monastery. Several of these manuscripts are found to survive to this day and some are also on display in the current Museum. It is our turn to visit the beautiful city of Rethymno. We will go through the beach and the alleys of the city while we enjoy our lunch in a local restaurant. Then we will head towards Heraklion, first making a stop at IM Palianis, a convent. It is one of the oldest monasteries in Crete. It is worth visiting to learn about the history of a hundred-year-old tree that exists in the courtyard, as well as admire the nuns who live in the monastery making a living from their work, embroidering fabrics, blankets, having a permanent exhibition of weaving and embroidery. Our final destination for this day is the beautiful Heraklion. Arrival at the hotel, arrangement in the rooms and rest.
5th Day: Friday 06/09/2023 – HERACLEIO – IN AGIOU MINA – IN AGIOU TITOU – SPINALONGA – LIONTARAKIA Our last day in beautiful Crete, and after our breakfast, we will leave the hotel to tour Heraklion. First we will visit the Metropolitan Church of Agios Minas. It is the largest temple in Crete, as well as one of the largest temples in Greece. Next stop the Church of Agios Titos. One of the oldest temples on the island, where the sacred chariot of Agios Titos is kept. It is our turn to visit the island of Spinalonga. An island where its history still inspires amazement as it has been a Venetian fortress, a castle-state, a refuge for rebels, a place of exile for lepers, a communication link with Cairo during the Occupation. Both from the constructive and architectural point of view, as well as from the aesthetics of the entire landscape, the island still maintains its unsurpassed beauty. Back in Heraklion, we will rest having lunch in a restaurant in the area, to continue our tour a little later. We will return to Heraklion to see the monument with the famous lions, one of the most attractive Venetian monuments that is kept in very good condition. Concluding our day we will enjoy our last walks before disembarking the ship from the port of Heraklion bound for Piraeus. Boarding the boat in the afternoon and departure.
6th Day: Saturday 06/10/2023 – PIREUS – KYLLINI-KEFALONIA Early morning arrival at the port of Piraeus and after getting off the ship we will head back to the port of Kyllini. During the route we will make stops to rest and eat. At the end of the afternoon we will have returned to Argostoli.
Dates Monday 05/06/2023 – Saturday 10/06/2023 (5 nights) Hotels Accommodation in single bed 3*** (triple)
In Chania and Heraklion, participation costs €390.00 per person. The single room is subject to an additional charge. The cost is calculated based on availability (boats and hotels). Breakfast Regime INCLUDES: Transportation in luxury coaches with air conditioning. Ferry tickets. Two (2) stays in a 3*** hotel with breakfast in Chania One (1) stay in a 3*** hotel with breakfast in Heraklion Tours: Guided tours by a professional guide. Two (2) tickets on board with interior cabins (round trip).
Residence tax (Law 4389/2016, Official Gazette A 94-2016, Article 53). VAT DOES NOT INCLUDE: Tickets to museums – archaeological sites, meals other than breakfast, transport tickets to the island of Spinalonga.
For statements and information, contact the following telephone numbers: PATHIR ANTHIMOS: 6936994447 or Travel agency: 26710 29125/ 6946731213
Important information: Our Office is not responsible for any claim that arises in the event of variation in departure times due to force majeure (natural phenomena, catastrophes, strikes, etc.) even if these affect the rest of the services provided (length of stay, transportation).