Tour Description

Independent Self-Drive Holiday

6 Days ex Heraklion

Operates: Daily

Notes:

Car rental is based on Category B Car for 5 days hire. Car category upgrades, one way hire, or drop off after 10:00am on Day 6 will incur additional costs.
The itinerary below is a suggestion only and you may want to visit different sites along the way. We recommend you buy a comprehensive map and guidebook of Crete to plan your self-drive according to your specific points of interests and make the most of your holiday.

Heraklion (1) | Chania (4)

This short self-drive itinerary of Crete allows you to explore some of the key battlefields of the Battle of Crete from a base in Chania in addition to the stunning beaches, natural wonders, and rich historical and architectural heritage. With accommodation, rental car, and daily breakfast included, the suggested itinerary below can be adapted as you see fit. We highly recommend a visit to the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion and the nearby site of Knossos, legendary site of the Minotaur and King Minos.

Highlights:

24/7 local operator support in Greece
Take your time to explore Crete with accommodation breakfasts and rental car all provided
Explore the ancient and mysterious history of Minoan ruins
Discover the special connection New Zealand has with Crete a legacy of WWII

Itinerary
Accommodation

Day 1: Heraklion

Welcome to Crete. Upon arrival in Heraklion, you will be transferred to your hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure to unwind and soak up the local atmosphere.

Day 2: Heraklion – Chania (B)

This morning your car will be delivered to your hotel for you to begin your self-drive tour of discovery.

The small Battle of Crete Museum is definitely worth a visit. Later we suggest a visit of the ancient city of Knossos. Cradle of the Minoan civilisation, the ruins of Knossos date back to 1650 BC. Very little is known about the Minoan civilisation and some think that it may be the Atlantis of mythology. Continue to Chania where accommodation is reserved for four nights.

Day 3: Chania (B)

Drive to the area of Maleme Airfield (not open to the public) to view the point of the German paratrooper invasion. Today should also include a stop at Hill 107 and Platanias.

Vanilla restaurant is a fantastic place to have some food, meet with the owner whose father fought in the Battle of Crete, and see the war memorabilia they have collected & preserved from the battle.

Day 4: Chania (B)

We recommend a visit to the small village of Galatas, scene of very fierce fighting for the NZ Battalions, and Souda Bay War Cemetery where 438 New Zealanders remain buried.

Day 5: Chania (B)

Take a day trip to the site of the main evacuation at Sphakia (also spelt Hora Sfakion). En-route seize the opportunity to visit a family-owned private museum hosting artefacts from WWII and previous Cretan wars in a typical local home.

This private and not well-known collection of artefacts from WWII (as well as previous Cretan wars) is well worth the stop, especially for those with an interest in military equipment and firearms. The collector travelled all over Crete collecting machine guns, pistols, helmets, medals, grenades, bombs, mines, cannon, cannon balls, anti-aircraft guns, uniforms, radios, and every German, British, and Greek artefact he could locate.

(There may be a small entrance fee but if not please have some EURO cash available to make a donation – this is a very important part of WWII history.) Details of this exclusive and private collection will be provided by Innovative Travel upon confirmation and final payment of this holiday.

Day 6: Chania (B)

Perhaps visit one of the beautiful villages to the west of Crete, visit a local winery, take a walk in the Gorges, or relax at some of Crete’s most famous beaches in Elafonissi or Falasarna. We suggest you also take the time to explore the Old Centre of Chania. Walk through the old centre and along the Venetian harbour. Later return your car rental at Chania Port or Airport (one way fee applies) or return it to Heraklion.

TOUR INCLUSIONS:

24/7 local operator support in Greece
5 night’s hotel accommodation
Breakfast Daily
Arrival transfer from Heraklion Port/Airport to your hotel
5 Days Car Hire on Crete (Chania to Heraklion) – Cat B Car
Greece Travel Notes – Issued by Innovative Travel

TOUR EXCLUSIONS:

International airfares
Government Climate Crisis Resilience Tax – to be paid directly to the hotel on check-out (ranges from EUR3-EUR15 – rates subject to change without notice)
Optional tours and excursions
Porterage
Tipping/Gratuities (please refer to tour notes for a recommended guideline)
Personal Expenses
Departure taxes
Hotel charges for minibar or any extra charges
Visas (unless specified)
Travel Insurance (compulsory)
Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above

Accommodation based on the below (or similar):

Hotels are indicative and subject to availability at the time of booking. If hotels indicated are not available at the time of request, alternatives will be offered and supplements may apply.

Heraklion

First Class: Astoria Capsis

Chania

First Class: Civitel Akali

View Important Information

Enquire About This Itinerary

Download Itinerary

Priced From:

$ 2275pp ^*

Tour Advisors

Beccy Hayes

Travel Specialist

Tiffany McCrea-Lennon

Managing Director

Russell Mein

Travel Specialist

Caitlin Lennon

Travel Coordinator

Gaylyn Murdoch

Administration Manager

Holly Skene

Travel Co-ordinator

Kim Thomas

Broker

Variants

First Class / 01 - 31 May 2026 / Per Person Twin Share

$2275

First Class
01 - 31 May 2026
Per Person Twin Share

First Class / 01 - 31 May 2026 / Solo Traveller - Single Room

$4269

First Class
01 - 31 May 2026
Solo Traveller - Single Room

First Class / 01 - 31 May 2026 / Triple Room (price for 3 people)

$4605

First Class
01 - 31 May 2026
Triple Room (price for 3 people)

First Class / 01 - 30 June 2026 / Per Person Twin Share

$2405

First Class
01 - 30 June 2026
Per Person Twin Share

First Class / 01 - 30 June 2026 / Solo Traveller - Single Room

$4485

First Class
01 - 30 June 2026
Solo Traveller - Single Room

First Class / 01 - 30 June 2026 / Triple Room (price for 3 people)

$4905

First Class
01 - 30 June 2026
Triple Room (price for 3 people)

First Class / 01 July - 31 August 2026 / Per Person Twin Share

$2645

First Class
01 July - 31 August 2026
Per Person Twin Share

First Class / 01 July - 31 August 2026 / Solo Traveller - Single Room

$4995

First Class
01 July - 31 August 2026
Solo Traveller - Single Room

First Class / 01 July - 31 August 2026 / Triple Room (price for 3 people)

$5295

First Class
01 July - 31 August 2026
Triple Room (price for 3 people)

First Class / 01 - 30 September 2026 / Per Person Twin Share

$2405

First Class
01 - 30 September 2026
Per Person Twin Share

First Class / 01 - 30 September 2026 / Solo Traveller - Single Room

$4485

First Class
01 - 30 September 2026
Solo Traveller - Single Room

First Class / 01 - 30 September 2026 / Triple Room (price for 3 people)

$4905

First Class
01 - 30 September 2026
Triple Room (price for 3 people)

First Class / 01 - 31 October 2026 / Per Person Twin Share

$2275

First Class
01 - 31 October 2026
Per Person Twin Share

First Class / 01 - 31 October 2026 / Solo Traveller - Single Room

$4269

First Class
01 - 31 October 2026
Solo Traveller - Single Room

First Class / 01 - 31 October 2026 / Triple Room (price for 3 people)

$4605

First Class
01 - 31 October 2026
Triple Room (price for 3 people)

First Class / 01 - 31 May 2027 / Per Person Twin Share

$2525

First Class
01 - 31 May 2027
Per Person Twin Share

First Class / 01 - 31 May 2027 / Solo Traveller - Single Room

$4745

First Class
01 - 31 May 2027
Solo Traveller - Single Room

First Class / 01 - 31 May 2027 / Triple Room (price for 3 people)

$5115

First Class
01 - 31 May 2027
Triple Room (price for 3 people)

First Class / 01 - 30 June 2027 / Per Person Twin Share

$2669

First Class
01 - 30 June 2027
Per Person Twin Share

First Class / 01 - 30 June 2027 / Solo Traveller - Single Room

$4985

First Class
01 - 30 June 2027
Solo Traveller - Single Room

First Class / 01 - 30 June 2027 / Triple Room (price for 3 people)

$5445

First Class
01 - 30 June 2027
Triple Room (price for 3 people)

First Class / 01 July - 31 August 2027 / Per Person Twin Share

$2939

First Class
01 July - 31 August 2027
Per Person Twin Share

First Class / 01 July - 31 August 2027 / Solo Traveller - Single Room

$5545

First Class
01 July - 31 August 2027
Solo Traveller - Single Room

First Class / 01 July - 31 August 2027 / Triple Room (price for 3 people)

$5865

First Class
01 July - 31 August 2027
Triple Room (price for 3 people)

First Class / 01 - 30 September 2027 / Per Person Twin Share