Crete in Spring

Tour Code: GRC02

An 8-day holiday in search of the spring flowers and migrating birds on the island of Crete.

8 days from
£1,895 (Inc flights)
Land only price from
£1,695
book now

Highlights

Summary

Summary

Crete boasts one of the most diverse floras in Europe, with over 1,600 species of flowering plant, 139 of which are endemic. The island also lies on a major bird migration route. Our spring tours to Crete begin in Plakias on the southern coast, from where we explore the dramatic Imbros Gorge and orchid-rich hills around the village of Spili. We then conclude with three nights in western Crete based in the old capital of Chania. Bird and botany highlights are many, but include Collared Flycatcher, Lammergeier, Snake's-head Iris and Drooping Star of Bethlehem.

Please note our latest departure will see many of the orchids past their best, so please remember this when making a booking.

  • Gentle-paced 2-centre holiday focusing on birds & flowers
  • Lammergeier, Little Crake & Ruppell's Warbler 
  • Over 40 species of orchid, including the endemic Cretan Bee Orchid
  • Minoan archaeology at Phaestos
  • Dramatic scenery of the Samaria Gorge & Omalos Plateau
  • Direct flights from the UK
  • Sample local Cretan cuisine
  • Expert guidance by Naturetrek botanist & ornithologist

Grading

Grade A/B. Day walks only.

Crete is the largest of the Greek Islands, being 258 kilometres long and 56 kilometres wide. To its south, across the Libyan Sea, lie the shores of North Africa; to the north lie the islands of the Cyclades and Dodecanese. Crete itself is dominated by four mountain chains which are largely limestone in content and stretch, like the backbone of a great sea monster, from its eastern to its western shores, rising at their highest point to 2,450 metres. From these heights, clear mountain streams empty into the Aegean Sea to the north. To the south the streams have cut deep gorges before entering the Libyan Sea, and many dry out under the intense heat of the summer sun.

Crete’s northern coast has been cultivated for thousands of years. Here, olives, grapes, melons, peaches, oranges and cereals are grown, and the ubiquitous sheep and goats are still pastured as in Biblical times. The island’s climate, position, and variety of both altitude and terrain have created its outstanding — indeed world-renowned — flora. Not only are there over 1,600 species of flowering plant, of which at least 139 are endemic, but the display of colour along each roadside verge is breathtaking. The intense reds of poppies; the delicate pink of Silene colorata blending so well with the pale purple of Sea Stock; the red, yellow and white of Ranunculus asiaticus; the pink of gladioli in the fields, and everywhere the pale yellow of Crown Daisies make Crete a most colourful island in spring.

Our visit to Crete will also coincide with the northward migration of birds visiting Europe for the summer. Greek islands are their stepping stones, and indeed the final destination of many of the most colourful species. We will watch for herons and birds of prey as they fly in off the sea, for ‘falls’ of passerine migrants in coastal maquis and olive groves, and for waders feeding in the tiny marshy fields. At this season the coastal scrub can hold Icterine, Subalpine, Eastern Bonelli’s and Olivaceous Warblers, Collared and Pied Flycatchers, and Black-eared and Isabelline Wheatears. Overhead, Swifts and Bee-eaters hawk for insects. Crete also has its own eastern Mediterranean specialities; amongst them, the elegant Rüppell’s Warbler, and the Eleonora’s Falcon which can be seen flying at dusk along most shorelines in late spring. In the mountains, a good population of Griffon Vultures can be found, together with the rarer Bonelli’s and Golden Eagles, and Lammergeier.

With the recurring theme of occupation followed by heroic battles for liberation, Crete’s history is unusually rich, and we do not plan to ignore it. The Romans, Venetians, Turks and Nazis have all tried to suppress these quiet, cheerful people. All have failed, leaving only the relics of their occupation behind them. Most fascinating of all Crete’s settlers were the fun-loving Minoans, the remains of whose palaces and villages lie scattered throughout the island.

During our 8-day stay we will be based for the first four days in the picturesque seaside town of Plakias on the south coast. This will allow us the opportunity to explore the dramatic gorges of Imbros, Kotsiphos and Kourtilotiki and the hills around the little town of Spili, famous for its orchids, tulips and other wonderful flora. Other explorations will include the Minoan Palace of Phaestos which, with its view of plain and mountain, has the most awe-inspiring location of all Minoan sites. It also provides an excellent hilltop bird migration viewpoint and flower-rich slopes with possible Monkey Orchid and Eastern Serapias. We will visit the Late Minoan Cemetery at Armeni with its cool Valonia Oak woodland and the atmospheric monastery at Moni Prevelli. From there we will explore the back roads of the verdant Amari Valley, famous for its apple, cherry and almond orchards, and Byzantine churches.

Western Crete is perhaps less well known, but is greener than the east and has some dramatic scenery. On one day we will head to the top of the spectacular Samaria Gorge, where we will keep our eyes skyward for Lammergeier, but walking on the Omalos Plateau we shall be torn between birds and the amazing display of iris, tulips and anemones. We return to Chania via the reed-fringed reservoir at Ayia to look for Great Reed Warblers and Little Crake. On another day we will visit the peaceful Akrotiri Peninsula and spend time searching the extensive olive groves around the monastery of Agia Triada for migrant flycatchers, warblers and Golden Orioles. By now under the island’s spell, we must return to London, well satisfied with the colour, history and natural history of Crete.

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Fly Chania; transfer Plakias
Day 2/4
Plakias
Day 5/7
Chania
Day 8
Fly London
cloud_downloadDownload Full Itinerary
What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation:

    This is a 2-centre holiday, using small family-run hotels in Plakias and Chania, where all rooms have private facilities.

  • Food:

    All food is included in the price.

Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost
Tue 1st Apr – Tue 8th Apr FULL £1,895
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,695
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£195
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Bruce Middleton
TL Bruce Middleton

Tour Leader: Bruce Middleton

Bruce Middleton lives in Hampshire and is a botanist, ecologist, wildlife artist, wildlife photographer and a honey bee keeper. He has worked for a range of voluntary organisations such as: British Trust for Volunteers and the British Trust for Ornithology. Bruce has had over 25 years in landscape and species conservation management working for West Sussex County Council, Sussex Downs Conservation Board, South Downs Joint Committee and the South Downs National Park Authority. He is currently a freelance wildlife Consultant and surveyor. He has an all-round interest in natural history who loves botanising all over the British Isles and Europe.

Tue 8th Apr – Tue 15th Apr FULL £1,995
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,695
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£195
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
David Tattersfield
TL David Tattersfield

Tour Leader: David Tattersfield

David graduated in Botany and went on to do research in upland ecology. During a career with the Nature Conservancy Council and as a horticulturist with the National Trust for Scotland, he gained an extensive knowledge of the world's mountain floras. He is an energetic, experienced field botanist and photographer, and his love of mountains and wilderness has taken him to five continents. Above all, he enjoys sharing his enthusiasm for the natural world with others and has led trips for Naturetrek to a variety of destinations in Europe, north and south Africa and central Asia. Between tours David is based in Kirkmichael in highland Perthshire, where he works as a horticultural and ecological consultant and lectures on his travels.

Tue 15th Apr – Tue 22nd Apr 2 £2,195
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,695
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£195
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
David Tattersfield
TL David Tattersfield

Tour Leader: David Tattersfield

David graduated in Botany and went on to do research in upland ecology. During a career with the Nature Conservancy Council and as a horticulturist with the National Trust for Scotland, he gained an extensive knowledge of the world's mountain floras. He is an energetic, experienced field botanist and photographer, and his love of mountains and wilderness has taken him to five continents. Above all, he enjoys sharing his enthusiasm for the natural world with others and has led trips for Naturetrek to a variety of destinations in Europe, north and south Africa and central Asia. Between tours David is based in Kirkmichael in highland Perthshire, where he works as a horticultural and ecological consultant and lectures on his travels.

2026

Departures Availability Cost
Tue 31st Mar – Tue 7th Apr SPACES £1,895
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,695
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£195
Tue 7th Apr – Tue 14th Apr SPACES £1,895
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,695
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£195
Tue 14th Apr – Tue 21st Apr SPACES £1,895
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,695
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£195 
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Botanical Tours – See Wild Flowers with our Expert Botanical Guides


There are few more pleasing sights in the natural world than a meadow filled with wildflowers. Seeing plants in their native habitat is always exciting and our flower tours offer you an incredible choice, from dazzling tropical blooms and the thrill of finding elusive orchids or delicate alpines, to seeing island endemics or British flora. Our tours range from week-long holidays focusing on the ‘Alpine flowers of the Swiss Alps’, the ‘Italian Dolomites’ and the ‘Alpine Flowers of Slovenia’s Julian Alps’, to orchid-hunting on Italy’s Gargano Peninsula and searching for the Autumn Plants of Greece’s Peloponnese. We also visit more remote areas of the world in search of plant-life, from the Tien Shan Mountains of Kazakhstan where we look for wild tulips, to the rainforests and spiny deserts of Madagascar where over 80% of the flora is endemic.  


Many of us want to know more about the plants we see around us. Whether inspired by an appreciation of the aesthetic appeal of flowers, or a more focused desire to identify individual species, everyone with an interest in botany will derive pleasure from joining one of Naturetrek’s flower tours.


Why choose Naturetrek’s botanical holidays?


    

  • All our botanical holidays are led by expert botanist guides
    • 

  • All levels of interest and expertise are catered for, from hobby gardeners and complete beginners to keen botanists who wish to explore a new area with the help of a knowledgeable leader
    • 

  • We keep the overall focus on flora, though expert guidance is also given on other wildlife
    • 



What can I expect on a typical Naturetrek botanical holiday?


    

  • Travel with a group of like-minded people
    • 

  • Stay at a comfortable hotel or lodge, close to an area of outstanding botanical interest
    • 

  • Enjoy a series of leisurely day excursions with ample time to appreciate the local flora
    • 



In addition to our dedicated flower tours, we also offer holidays with a wider theme to encompass birds, butterflies and other aspects of natural history as well as the flora. Our spring tours to 'Crete' and ‘The Island of Cyprus’ are both timed to allow us to enjoy the botanical highlights as well as the spring bird migration, whilst ‘Croatia and Slovenia – Spring in Istria’ also allows time to enjoy a little of the local culture. ‘Romania – the Wildlife of Transylvania’ combines an appreciation of the flora of the Carpathian Mountains with birding, butterflying and a trip to look for Brown Bears from a purpose built hide, and our holidays in both the ‘French Pyrenees’ and the ‘Spanish Pyrenees’ combine birds, butterflies and botany throughout the week.  




Our specialist recommends...






"I'd recommend 'Wengen – Alpine Flowers of the Swiss Alps', 'Crete' and 'The French Pyrenees', which all offer some fascinating European botany, along with plenty of wider natural history and some stunning scenery. If you’re keen to travel a little further afield, I’d suggest joining us in South Africa for our 'Wild Flowers of the Cape & Namaqualand' tour” 

David Tattersfield - Tour Leader




All Botany Tours

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Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists


The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.


Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours


We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.


The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.

Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:



Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection


Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.


 




Our specialist recommends...






"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."

Byron Palacios - Tour Leader




  


 


All Birdwatching Tours

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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

Enquire
Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!