Crete – An Amazing Destination

The largest and most popular Greek island with amazing landscapes that will astonish the guests. Although the crossroad of different civilizations for many years, Crete still retains plenty of local cultural traits, such as its own music and dialect, as well as the wonderful Cretan cuisine. Let’s discover this beautiful island with the help of experience guides.

A rich program of activities before, during and immediately after the conclusion of the conference are scheduled to maximize the social interaction of participants.

Monday 8 October 2018: Exploring the Minoan Civilization












Palace of Knossos

The tour will take us to the Palace of Knossos. The findings that Sir Arthur Evans brought to light, revealed a civilization dating back to 3000 BC.

The walking tour of the excavations takes about an hour and a half, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended. The Palace of Knossos is situated on the top of a hillside and you will be stunned at the beautiful sight directly below, where the town was located. During the tour we will visit the throne room, the store rooms, the central court and the grand staircase.

Archaeological Museum

Following the visit of the Palace of Knossos, we will take a 15 minutes bus drive to the centre of the City of Heraklion where the Archaeological Museum is located. It is one of the greatest museums in Greece and the best in the world for Minoan art, as it contains the most notable and complete collection of artefacts of the Minoan civilization. The most valuable findings of the excavation campaigns in Crete are in the Museum. Exhibits include for example the Snake Goddesses and the extraordinary Phaistos Disk. For more information please have a look: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heraklion_Archaeological_Museum

Heraklion Old Harbour 

After visiting the Museum there will be ample free time for lunch and walk around the old harbour of Heraklion.

The history of Heraklion starts in Minoan era, as it was the port of the legendary palace of Knossos. However, the city in its present location (the old centre) was built in 824 by the Arabs and later expanded and fortified by the Venetians and the Turks, who named it as the Large Castle of Candia. The current name Heraklion was given after the liberation of Crete from the Turks in 1898.

The busses will depart late afternoon and will take us back to Minoa Palace Resort where you can enjoy the welcome and registration cocktail.

Programme

08:30 Departure Minoa Palace Resort
11:00 Visit of the Palace of Knossos
13:00 Visit of the Archaeological Museum
15:00 Lunch (own expenses) and free time in the Old Harbor of Heraklion
17:00 Departure 1st bus back to the Minoa Palace Resort (arrival time approx.. 19:30)
17:30 Departure 2nd bus back to the Minoa Palace Resort (arrival time approx.. 20:00)
18:00 Departure 3rd bus back to the Minoa Palace Resort (arrival time approx.. 20:30)

The cost for this tour will be Euro 50,- per person including bus transfers, guides, entrance fee for the two visits but excluding lunch.


 Saturday 13 October 2018: Descent of the Samaria Gorge









The Samaria Gorge National Park, protected by Nature 2000, is a truly natural wonder and offers the ultimate hiking experience in Crete, beginning deep in the mountains and ending up practically on the shores of the Libyan Sea.

We will walk through a deep ravine that’s bathed in sun yet shaded by trees. Descend from often misty mountains on stony hiking parts, cross crystalline springs, walk over fascinating rocky landscapes, admire breath-taking cliffs and take breaks near gurgling fountains. This is one of the longest gorge in Europe, extending over 18 kilometres (11 miles). 

It begins at the plateau of Omalos deep in the mountains starting at an altitude of 1.250m and ends at the little beachside village of Agia Roumeli at the shores of the Libyan Sea.

Our walk will be around 18km which depending on your physical capability, hiking style  and number of stops, it can last anything  between 4 – 6 hours. You’ll admire the changing flora full of pine trees, flowering plants, and herbs. At some point after hiking three quarters of the way you’ll come across a fascinating abandoned stone village now used by the National Park Authorities. If you’re lucky, you’ll also come across wild Cretan goats known as Kri-Kri and get to admire birds of prey hovering in the skies above.

Upon arrival in the village of Agia Roumeli you have the options to stay on the beach, swim or have lunch at the local taverns.

At 17:00 we will take the ferry boat for a 20-30 minutes trip along the southern coast of Crete to the village of Sfakia. After a brief stop at Sfakia we will go back to the Minoa Palace Resort.

For more information please have a look: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samari%C3%A1_Gorge

Please be notified that Samaria Gorge closes down when weather conditions are such that is dangerous to hiking, such as rain, strong winds, etc. 

Programme

07:00  Departure Minoa Palace Resort
09:00  Enter of the Samaria Gorge and start of the hiking experience, which comfortably can be done in around 5-6 hours.
15:00/15:30 Arrival in the village of Agia Roumeli, where we can stay on the beach, swim or have lunch at the local taverns (own expenses).
17:00  Ferry  boat from Agia Roumeli to Chora Sfakion
17:30  Arrival Chora Sfakion
17:45  Departure of coaches back to the Minoa Palace Resort
19:15  Approx. arrival time at Minoa Palace Resort

During the walk a snack bag (sandwich, seasonal fruit, juice) will be provided and you are advised to arrange with your hotel to get your breakfast in a take a way bag. Appropriate hiking shoes and clothing is required. The guides are experienced hikers and with full knowledge on 1st aid in case of any mishap.

The cost for this tour will be Euro 70,- per person including bus transfers, guides, entrance fee for the National Park, the ferry boat and the snack bag. The lunch in Agia Roumeli is not included.


Conference
Monday 19:00 – Registration cocktail
Tuesday 17:30 – Poster Cocktail
Wednesday 17:30 – Poster Cocktail
Thursday 19:00 – Conference Dinner
Friday – 19:00 – Chill out in Chania Old Harbor (buses will be departing continuously from Minoan Hotel to the old harbor and back)

Post-conference
Saturday – 10:00 – Descent of Samaria Gorge