8. From Heraklion: Palm Forest Beach of Vai, Ierapetra & Sitia
Start your day tour from the lovely town of Ierapetra, the sounthern most of Europe, known for its warm weather and local products.
Continue the tour, to discover the beautiful east part of Crete. Visit the largest palm forest in Europe, Vai Palm Beach. The palm forest draws thousands of visitors each year. They come not only for its wonderful palm forest, but also for the large sandy beach spread out at its foot.
The day tour includes a visit to Toplou, a 15th-century monastery located in a dry and barren area. Toplou monastery is one of the most significant monasteries in Crete, dedicated to Panagia (Virgin Mary) and St. John the Theologian.
Last stop of the day the cozy town of Sitia, with a lovely beach road and Venetian castle.
Detailed Time Schedule:
Morning Pick Up
We will start collecting participants from pick-up points in the morning.
Depending on the place of your hotel/apartment the bus drive will differ.
Bus Drive to Ierapetra: almost 1.5 – 2 hours
1st stop: Ierapetra. 40 minutes
Visit Tthe most southern and warm town of Europe, famous worldwide for its agricultural products distributedall year round. Enjoy some free time for a walk on the lovely beach road.
Bus Drive: 1 hour 30 minutes
2nd stop: Toplou Monastery – 40 minutes
Our participants willenjoy a visit to the historical and beautiful Monastery of Toplou.There they will spend about 40' of guided time and free time to take photos of the unique architecture and the Cretan Natural landscape outdoors.
Bus Drive to Vai Beach: 20 minutes
3rd stop: Vai Beach – 2 hours
Stop at Vai, the biggest natural palm forest in Europe. Enjoy 2 hours of free time to swim, sunbathe, have lunch and take photos of this exotic landscape of Crete.
Bus Drive to Sitia: 30 minutes
4th stop: Sitia – 40 minutes
Participants will enjoy some free time to explore the town on their own pace, walk by the cosmopolitan beach road, have a coffee at a traditional cafe or taste the delicious local homemade sweets.
End of the tour – Arrival at resorts:
Embarkation in the buses and drive back to the hotels where we gathered participants in the morning.
Depending on traffic and on the pick-up places of each one, the time of journey back to the hotel will differ.
Return Bus Drive to Heraklion: Around 2 – 3 hours hours