This once-in-a-lifetime experience brings you to the sparkling sea of the Mirabello Bay in East Crete. Luxury air-conditioned coaches will deliver you to the village of Elounda – certainly one of the most beautiful locations on the island.After a short cruise across the clear blue waters we reach the tiny island of Spinalonga. With its amazingly rich history, Spinalonga is a truly magical place. Due to its strategic location at the entrance to Elounda Bay, the Venetians created a fortified stronghold on Spinalonga – ‘The Rock’ - in the 16th Century AD. This fort protected East Crete from invasion by pirates and its extremely strong walls, even after so many cannon ball strikes, stand proud to this day. In the middle of the 17th century Spinalonga was attacked and conquered by the Turkish Ottoman Empire and remained a Turkish stronghold until the liberation of Crete in 1821.

In 1903, historical circumstances gave Spinalonga another role, that of Leper colony. For more than half a century the unfortunate ‘living dead’ were taken to live out their lives in an isolated community upon Spinalonga. The village with its tiny houses, shops, church, workshops and sanitarium still stands today. British author Victoria Hislop has immortalized the heartbreaking story of the lepers in her internationally acclaimed book ‘The Island’ and the story, based on true fact, has now been made into a film using Elounda. And the village of Plaka across the water as its setting. Our professional tour guide will escort you onto the island and you will hear all about the long history of this fascinating place.

Close your eyes and imagine, listen to the sea and taste the salt water on your lips and you will be transported back in time in an experience you will never forget.After our visit to Spinalonga we continue on our cruise across the bay and you will have the opportunity to relax and enjoy the calm, crystal clear sea at Kolokytha. Here your crew will prepare a delicious barbeque while you swim and relax under the Cretan sun. Enjoy a refreshing glass of Ouzo perhaps, or a cold beer or soft drink from the bar.On our return we take time for a stop at the picturesque town of Agios Nikolaos where you may take a stroll around the ‘bottomless’ lake, the pretty harbor and cosmopolitan shops and tree-lined avenues. Enjoy a relaxing coffee in any of the lakeside cafes and sit back and watch the world go by in this beautiful setting.Voted one of the very best trips on Crete, this is a tour not to be missed.

Entrances and boat tickets included.

Languages
English

Redeem information
Voucher type: E-Voucher
E-voucher. Show the voucher on your mobile device to enjoy the activity.

Location
Start point:
Hotel pick-up available. Please call 72 hours beforehand to confirm the pick up time and place.

End point: Same as the starting point

Schedule
Opening dates
Varies on location of hotel pick up

Duration: 7 Hours

Guide options
Guide type: Guide

Requirements
We regret that we are unable to accommodate guests with wheelchairs or mobility impairments on our tours.

Recommendations
Please bring swimming suit, one extra clothes, cash, biodegradable block sun, sunglasses, sandals, hat or cap.