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Castaway Cruise to Gramvoussa

Activity Schedule

  • When does it run?

    01 May - 30 Sep: Tuesday & Saturday

  • Duration

    Approx. 9.5 hours

  • Start time

    08:40am

  • Meeting Point
    The tour starts from Mainroad Hotel Minoa Palace.
    Please report at the meeting point 15 minutes before the start time. This is mandatory to allow time for pre-departure briefing.
  • Ending Point

    The tour ends at the starting point

Key Highlights

  • Spend a day on one of the most secluded and enchanting islands of Greece
  • Take a guided tour through the colorful history of this former pirate stronghold
  • Plunge into the crystal waters of the Balos lagoon for an afternoon swim

Overview

Embark like a buccaneer of old for the pink sands and azure waters of Gramvoussa Island.

Tour an ancient castle built by the Venetians that stood up to the invading Turks.

Be riveted by the history of Gramavoussa, which has housed revolutionary fighters and ruthless pirates down through the years.

Walk along the soft sands where pirates used to lay in wait for approaching ships and enjoy an afternoon swim in the clear waters of Balos.

Itinerary

You will be picked up from the Minoa Palace hotel for this Castaway Cruise to Gramvoussa. You will be accompanied by an English-speaking guide, who will fill you in on the history of the island, which is steeped in the intrigue of the high seas. You can also arrange for transfers to the tour’s starting point from either your hotel or from a departure point close to the hotel.

You will be conveyed by boat to the former pirate island of Gramvoussa, where you will tour a 16th century castle that looms from atop a rocky knoll. The impregnable fortifications allowed the Venetians to retain control of the castle during Turkey’s 17th century occupation of Crete, though it was later given to the Turks by way of a bribe.

Gramvoussa became a base of operations for Cretan revolutionaries and their efforts were rewarded when the island became the first part of Crete to be liberated by the Turks.

More famously, Gramvoussa was also the haunt of pirates, who plundered every ship that passed their way until an English-French garrison took control of the island in 1828.

Move on to the enchanting lagoon of Balos, where you can enjoy a swim in the clear blue sea or luxuriate on the pinkish sands.

Enjoy a small lunch on the beach (not included) before you are returned by boat to the Minoa Palace Hotel.

Inclusions

  • English-speaking guide
  • Transportation in an air-conditioned coach
  • Boat to Gramvoussa

Exclusions

  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off
  • Meals

Please note

Please call the activity operator at least 24 hours prior to start of the tour for reconfirming departure details.

Infants under 3 years go free. However, they will not have their own seat on the coach.

Additional info

The confirmation voucher includes the local activity operator’s contact details and local telephone numbers at the destination. They will happily answer any logistical questions you may have

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