Crete Itinerary
TYPICAL DAILY SCHEDULE
Day 1
- Meet our group in Chania Old Town at the selected accommodation.
- Welcome drinks at 5.30pm, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 2
- Breakfast in the Old Town close to accommodation.
- Your tutor this morning will then distribute your art materials and equipment.
- Free time to explore the Old Town of Chania. The beauty of its surroundings with its endless alleys and charming buildings will amaze you. Afterwards enjoy your own selected lunch before meeting up with our painting group.
- Afternoon painting session in the Old Town. Your tutor will first give a watercolour demonstration for beginners, while those using other mediums can experiment with their materials.
- Dinner at a local restaurant.
- After dinner, tasting of local Greek desserts.
Day 3
- Morning private bus transfer to the coastal village of Chora Sfakion in Southern Crete.
- Breakfast on arrival, followed by short ferry trip to the seaside village of Loutro.
- Free time for sightseeing and taking photos. Loutro is one of the prettiest villages in Crete. A tranquil fishing village, it is adorned with the blues and the whites so typical of the Greek landscape. Loutro is the perfect day trip from Chania with its whitewashed buildings, blue doors, shutters, and pretty white and pink bougainvillea.
- Enjoy your own selected lunch before meeting up with our painting group.
- Afternoon painting session of the serene seaside landscape at Loutro village.
- Short ferry trip back to Chora Sfakion, then private bus transfer back to Chania Old Town. On the way stopping for dinner, at the lovely evergreen village of Vryses.
Day 4
- Breakfast in the Old Town.
- Morning painting session of historical Venetian doors in Chania Old Town. It is the character, beauty and diverse nature of these doors throughout the Old Town, that remind us of the remnants of architecture in Crete during the middle ages.
- Enjoy your own selected lunch before meeting up with our painting group.
- In the afternoon, travel by bus to the lovely and preserved traditional village of Vamos. This village remains untouched by tourism and offers authentic Cretan stone houses, paved streets and is surrounded by mountains and lush greenery. Here, we will be participating in a Cretan cooking class, which includes our delicious dinner with drinks.
- Private bus transfer back to Chania Old Town.
Day 5
- Breakfast in the Old Town.
- Morning private bus transfer to the architecturally impressive 17th century Venetian Monastery of Agia Triada*. Free time to explore the peaceful and serene grounds of the Monastery, one of the most impressive in all of Crete. Soak up the tranquil atmosphere and stunning views at this fortress-like complex.
*To respect the sanctity of the monastery, a modest dress code is required. A good general rule is to cover the shoulders and to cover down to the knees.
- Enjoy a packed lunch, followed by an afternoon painting session within the grounds, selecting from a range of visually appealing subject matter.
- Late afternoon we will be visiting the Monastery’s very own wine cellar to taste some fine local wines and other local Cretan products like organic olive oil, honey and vinegar.
- Private bus transfer back to Chania Old Town for dinner.
- After dinner, tasting of local Greek ice-creams.
Day 6
- Breakfast in the Old Town.
- Morning travel by local bus to the beautiful historic town of Rethymno.
- Free time to explore the town, which boasts one of the best-preserved Venetian fortresses in Crete. There is also a wonderful stone made lighthouse and several mosques and minarets dating back to the Ottoman rule of Crete.
- Enjoy your own selected lunch before meeting up with our painting group.
- Afternoon painting session of the lighthouse of the Venetian harbour of Rethymno. Built during the 1830’s when Egypt ruled Crete, it is the second largest remaining lighthouse on the island. This charming old landmark has a long history of safely guiding vessels within the harbour.
- Dinner in Rethymno, followed by local bus back to Chania Old Town.
Day 7
- Breakfast in the Old Town.
- Morning painting session in Chania Old Town selecting from one of the unique and historical monuments surrounding the centre. The uniquely preserved Hassan Pascha Mosque for example, bears a large semispherical dome topped by six small domes and supported by stone arches. Built in 1649, it was named in honour of the first Ottoman governor of Chania.
- Enjoy your own selected lunch before meeting up with our painting group.
- In the afternoon, during our painting session, we will complete unfinished artworks. If time, you can combine this with last minute sightseeing and/or shopping.
- Dinner at local restaurant with group display of artworks produced.
Day 8
- Breakfast in the Old Town.
- Goodbyes and check out at 11.00am.
- Own transfer to airport for connecting flight.
Important Note
The order and actual timing of our proposed activities during the above 7 day program may need to change, subject to any unforeseen weather conditions, changes to transport schedules and/or availability of local services. Every effort will be made to keep to our proposed itinerary.