Social Events & Excursions

Social Events

Welcome Party

The welcome party is scheduled to take place in the evening on Sunday, 30th June at the Creta Maris Hotel and tickets are included in the registration fees.

Conference Dinner

The EUROMAR 2013 conference dinner is scheduled to take place on Thursday, 4th July and will be held at the Creta Maris Hotel. Participants wishing to attend can book online through the registration page at the cost of €60 per person.

Excursions

During your stay in Crete, you may wish to enjoy your free time, and explore Crete through selected excursions we are organizing exclusively for the EUROMAR 2013 participants.
Please book your preference with the EUROMAR 2013 Travel Desk (situated in the conference centre) 24 hours prior to scheduled departures.
Further information regarding prices and dates, will be uploaded here in the future.

HALF DAY EXCURSIONS (14:00 – 19:00 hrs)

Archaeological:

Knossos Palace

Driving towards Heraklion to Knossos Palace is an excursion and experience that one must not miss. Knossos also known as Labyrinth or Knossos Palace is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete. Knossos Palace was also the ceremonial and political centre of the Minoan civilization and culture.
The palace appears as a maze of workrooms, living spaces and store rooms close to a central square. The palace was substantially restored by archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans.
Wear walking shoes, trainers or flat shoes, a sun hat and don’t forget your sunscreen.

Historical:

Elounda & Spinalonga Island

This is a drive north-east to the fishing village of Elounda where the breathtaking views of the gulf of Elounda are unmatchable. A short boat trip to the island of Spinalonga for a guided tour is scheduled. Spinalonga is officially known as Kalydon and was once occupied by the Venetians who built a fort for defense on the island which can still be seen today.
Spinalonga was also used as a leper colony up until the 1950’s and was used as the location for the recent shooting of the serial “The Island” based on the book by Victoria Hyslop.
Wear walking shoes, trainers or flat shoes, a sun hat and don’t forget your sunscreen.

Mountains and Nature:

Lassithi Plateau

The inland drive to an altitude of 850m for the visit to Lassithi Plateau allows you to explore the natural environment and the beautiful countryside.
On the way to Lassisthi Plateau we will stop at the Kera monastery to admire the Orthodox heritage through the centuries and then on to the Eco-park “Lassinthos” for a brief tour of the rich Cretan traditional craftsmanship.
Passing through the Plateau we will view the many windmills that work regularly to water the fertile plain which was once farmed by the Minoans and later by the Dorians of Lyttos.
A stop at the largest village of the Plateau, Jermiado Village for refreshments and a short walk is also scheduled.
Greek mythology is also linked with the area of Lassithi which claims to be the birth place of the God Zeus.
This is an exceptional tour for lovers of nature and the outdoors.
Wear walking shoes, trainers or flat shoes, a sun hat and don’t forget your sunscreen.

FULL DAY EXCURSIONS

Tradition & Archaeology:

Heraklion City Tour & Museum (09:30 – 17:00 hrs)

The grounds of the Venetian Walls of Heraklion that stand to this day constitute one of the most important monuments of this type in the entire Mediterranean basin. This is valid because of the length of the wall (5 kilometres) and its excellent state of preservation.
History:
824 – 961 A.D.: The Arabs occupied Crete and organised an important built-up centre that was called Chandakas, in the place of current Heraklion and surrounded it with wall, built from bricks and founded in stone. There were seven bastions.
961 – 1204 A.D: The Byzantines of Nikiforos Fokas took over the island.
They erected their own fortifying grounds over the stone groundwork that had been rescued in order to protect the city.
1211 AD: Venetians occupied the city in and named it Candia. They started the construction of the city’s fortification in 1462 and they needed more than a century to complete it. They also built the port and many other buildings of magnificent architecture.
The gates of Venetian fortification that stand to this day constitute important architectural monuments of period of Venetian domination and served by connecting the city with the suburbs and the countryside. Two out of the four gates of the wall still stand today: the Pantocrator or “Chanioporta” (meaning “the gate of Chania”) and the “gate of Jesus” also called “Kainourgia Porta” (meaning “the new gate”).
The strategic importance of the fortification was proved during the city’s investment. The city’s investment by the Turks lasted 21 years and was one of the longest in history.
Presently the Venetian walls still surround a part of Heraklion; it is an impressive huge construction of the 15th century, with several later interventions and expansions. You can walk on the top of the wall which is very wide.
We are going to visit the Makassi Gate, the Bethlehem Gate, the Martinengo Bastion, and Nikos Kazantakis tomb.
After the visit, you will have free time to enjoy yourself in Heraklion city.
Wear walking shoes, trainers or flat shoes, a sun hat and don’t forget your sunscreen.

Rethymnon/Arkadi & Hania (08:30 – 19:30 hrs)

A visit to the north-west of the island to the popular town of Rethymnon mixed with old and new. A guided tour of the old town is a perfect opportunity to visit the past.
We will also visit the impressive Monastery of Arkadi, a site not to be missed. Located in the heart of Crete, is the most famous historical Monastery on Crete, well known for the resistance against the Turks. It is said that the Byzantine emperor Arcadius founded it in the 14^th century.
You can visit the impressive church which is dedicated to Christ the Saviour and a small historical Museum.
It is said that the Byzantine emperor Arcadius founded it in the 14^th century. You can visit the impressive church which is dedicated to Christ the Saviour and a small historical Museum.
Our next stop is the town of Hania, probably the most beautiful and picturesque of all, the formal capital of Crete, well known for the birth place of Eleftherios Venizelos (1864–1936), a major political figure of 20^th century. Here we will also see Venetian fortifications and mansions.
The opportunity and time for shopping is also scheduled. Wear walking shoes, trainers or flat shoes, a sun hat, swim suit (optional) and don’t forget your sunscreen.

South Crete/Phaestos Palace/Matala (09:00 – 19:00 hrs)

This is a visit to the south of the island with the first stop at Gortys, the former Roman Capital of Crete followed by a guided tour of the Minoan palace of Phaestos. The journey will continue to Matala (well known for the caves used by the Hippies in the 1960’s) where there are many tavernas for those who are ready for a lunch break or swim at the crystal waters of the beach.
Our last stop at the village of Peza here we will have the opportunity to see a Cretan winery and how some of the famous Cretan wines are made.
Wear walking shoes, trainers or flat shoes, a sun hat, swim suit (optional) and don’t forget your sunscreen.

Daytrip

Black Rose Pirate Boat (12:00 – 17:00 hrs)

Every day the “Black Rose” will depart Hersonissos harbour at 12 o'clock and take the trip to Sissi. First we stop for half and hour in St.George's bay so you can swim off the boat in the crystal clear waters and where you will be given a soft drink and fruit salad.
After about an hour's journey we arrive at 2 o'clock in the picturesque fishing village of Sissi with many tavernas and shops clustered around the pretty harbour.
There will be plenty of time for swimming and shopping before returning to the boat. We leave Sissi at 4 o'clock and on the way back to Hersonissos we go close to the coastline so you can enjoy the views of Malia and Stalis.
We return to Hersonissos at 5 o'clock. Depending on where you are staying you can be collected and returned to your hotel in our own transport.

Please be respectful and dressed properly when you visit a monastery.

All Excursions Include:

Transfers in modern tourist fully air-conditioned buses
Professional English speaking guide
All Entrance Fees & Boat tickets
VAT 23%

The organizers are reserving the right to cancel any excursion that is not completing 25 participants minimum.