Reader Trip: Crete
with Rick Stroud 10th-17th October 2019
Rick Stroud, author of Kidnap in
Crete, his tale of Patrick Leigh Fermor’s kidnap of General Kreipe, writes: ‘Crete is a wonderful destination – a land of heroes, mountains and fertile plains where sheep graze among olive trees, and the air is filled with the scent of thyme. Nearly 4,000 years ago, the island was home to the Minoans, whose legendary king, Minos, has been linked to the palace at Knossos.
‘Fought over and occupied throughout its history, Crete has a rich architectural and artistic heritage. The Cretans are patriots who will die fighting for their island, and were last called on to do so in the Second World War.’
Rick will take readers to the pivotal sites of the famous kidnap. We will stay at the exclusive Hotel Veneto in the old Venetian quarter of Rethymnon (www.veneto.gr).
For the full itinerary:
www.theoldie.co.uk/courses-tours
Thursday 10th October – Arrive at Rethymnon
Depart Gatwick with British Airways 8.10am; arrive Heraklion 2.15pm. Transfer to Hotel Veneto for late dinner at the award-winning Veneto Restaurant.
Friday 11th October – Chania
A visit to Maleme airfield, where German parachutists landed in one of the first airborne attacks in history, in May 1941; then Gonia Monastery. Lunch and time to explore Chania.
Saturday 12th October – Rethymnon
Explore Rethymnon’s weekly market in the Old Town and have coffee on the harbourside. In the afternoon, visit the Venetian fortress or do some shopping.
Sunday 13th October – Knossos and Wine Country
Visit the 4,000-year-old Minoan palace of Knossos followed by lunch in Elia and Diosmos’s Olive-mint Restaurant at Skalani. After lunch we will have a gentle afternoon in Archanes, with wine tasting.
Monday 14th October – Heraklion
Visit the Archaeological Museum and Venetian city walls. We will pause where SOE Major Patrick Leigh Fermor ambushed General Heinrich Kreipe.
Tuesday 15th October – Psykro and Diktean Cave – Lunch at Elounda
Visit the Diktean Cave – said to be Zeus’s birthplace. Elounda for lunch, plus boat trip and walk around Spinalonga island.
Wednesday 16th October – Phaistos and Gortyn
After Knossos, Phaistos is the most important Minoan palatial city. After lunch we visit the ancient Roman capital of Crete, Gortyn.
Thursday 17th October – Depart for home
Depart Heraklion on BA2553 3.05pm, arriving Gatwick 5.15pm.