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Arrival in Heraklion, where a car waits for you. Along the northern coastal road you drive in 1,5 hr. to the first hotel close to Rethymnon. In the hotel you get information about time, place and how to drive to the next day's walk.
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In the morning a walk (4,5 hr.) with a group of
THE HAPPY WALKER in the surroundings of Rethymnon with walkers from different countries and an English speaking guide. Information about flora and fauna, local customs, history of Crete, etc. In the afternoon you get a booklet with travel tips and extensively described walking-routes.
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This day you drive from Rethymnon to Kissamos (3 hr.). You can make your choice of a walk in the surroundings of Georgioupolis (3 hr.) or on the peninsula of Akrotiri (2 hr.) with a visit to the monasteries of Agia Triada and Gouvernetou.
Possible stops on your way to Kissamos: the ruins of the Roman fortifications of Aptera and in the city of Chania.
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On your way from Kissamos to Paleochora (2 hr.) there is a walk in the area of the village of Milia with splendid views of the mountainous surroundings (2,5 hr.) and a possible short walk in the arboretum of Vlatos (0,5 hr.).
This day you could visit the ruins of the Dorian city Polirinia and the small chapel of Agia Sophia, built in a cave.
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Walk in the surroundings of the villages of Voutas, Kamatera and Sklavopoula; four possible variations, more or less up- and downhill (3 - 5 hr.). Possible visits to Byzantine churches with frescoes.
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This day you drive from Paleochora to Omalos in the area of the White Mountains 'Lefka Ori' (2 hr.). Possibility of a moderate walk through the Irini-gorge (max. 4 hr.) or a bit more demanding walk in the mountainous surroundings of the village of Sempronas (also around 4 hr.). You could climb up to the top of the Vigla (1.234 m.) with splendid views of the peninsulas of Gramvousa and Rodopou and of the Cretan Sea.
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In the morning you could start with a rather demanding climb of mount Gingilos: from 1.100 to 2.100 m. (max. 6 hr.). Moderate walks are a descent in a part of the Samaria-gorge or a shorter climb to the Kallergi mountain hut and a return to the Omalos plateau. Thereafter you drive to Rethymnon (2,5 hr.).
As another alternative you could first drive some kilometers and halfway to Rethymnon walk the alternative route of day 3 (on the peninsula of Akrotiri or in the surroundings of Georgioupolis).
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On your way to the airport of Heraklion you could stop for shopping in the village of Fodele and pay a visit to the museum of El Greco, a famous painter who is supposed to have been born is this village. In case of a late flight you could also visit the Minoan Knossos and the archaeological museum in Heraklion.
Delivery of the car at the airport.
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