Hike Along The Libyan Sea in Crete, Greece

May 15 - 29, 2022 - Waitlisted

Group size - 14

Co-Trip Leaders - Ed & Helen Maurer

A few years ago, we fell in love with Crete. The heart of this program is its wild south coast where steep cliffs rise above lonely beaches with crystal clear water, where whitewashed churches and small villages dot the arid hillsides, and where the scent of pungent plants perfume the air. This trip offers a chance to visit the Minoan Palace in Heraklion where the Minotaur once roamed, spend time in historic Chania, and, best of all, hike part of the E4 long distance trail along Europe’s southernmost coast facing the Libyan Sea.

The heart of this 2-week trip is hiking days 6 – 11 along the western and southern coasts of Crete. We walk in an austere, rocky, and dry land rising steeply out of the azure Libyan Sea. Small coastal communities of whitewashed houses with blue doors and shutters, some of which can only be reached on foot or by sea, dot the dramatic coastline. And we’ll explore impressive, narrow gorges full of plant life and offering a striking contrast to the open horizons of the coast. Although our average hiking day measures 10km / 6.2 mi., each kilometer / mile has to be earned as we walk on rocky trails with lots of ups and downs, some steep, and little shade. Meanwhile, delightful beaches and welcoming tavernas provide succor for weary hikers, and there is always an alternative to hiking in the form of ferry boats.

But before we start hiking, we will be introduced to the Minoan culture that marks the beginning of what we used to call Western Civilization. Here are the roots of our alphabet; here is art that is as accessible now as it was then; here, 3,700 years ago, myths and gods emerged that later shaped the Greco-Roman world and its successors.

This trip is not for the faint of heart as some of the hikes are on exposed, steep trails, and we would rate some of them as strenuous.

What’s Included?

  • Accommodation in 2 – 4-star hotels (double-occupancy with private bath)

  • All on-trip land transportation

  • All luggage transfers

  • All breakfasts and 8 dinners

  • All entrance fees as mentioned in the itinerary

  • All hikes

  • Gratuities for local service providers

  • 4 pre-trip bulletins prior to departure with more detailed and specific information to help you prepare for your adventure including a day-by-day itinerary in booklet form with detailed maps

What's Not Included:

  • International airfare and in-country travel, pre- and post- trip

  • All lunches and 6 dinners

  • Other expenses including Covid-19 tests, quarantine and medical evacuations.

We recommend purchasing travel insurance.

Trip Dates: May 15 - 29, 2022 | 15 days - Waitlisted

Group size - 14

Trip Price and Deposit: $3,200 | Deposit: $800 | Single supplement $500

Remainder to be paid by February 14, 2022

Price is based on twin occupancy of rooms. Same gender roommate will be assigned to participants traveling solo. Single supplements are limited, please email us at contact@bigroundworld.com if you are interested in securing a room for sole occupancy. Your non-refundable deposit will hold your reservation. Either pay on line (credit/ debit cards accepted) using our secure PayPal payment system or write a check, payable to “Big Round World”, and mail it to: PO Box 1337, Lyons, CO 80540.

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