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Active Crete Walking and Painting Holiday
Overview
Introduction
Western Crete is the perfect location for walking and painting so we are very pleased to offer this itinerary. The week will include five mornings of leisurely to medium paced walks, taking in the hills and valleys around Kissamos and the surrounding area. Hosted by Iakovos, a walker all his life and born and raised in Kissamos, you will receive a great insight into the local fauna and flora and where to find the endemic plants. The walks are followed by four afternoons of painting workshops, hosted by Camille, an English artist who has had several solo shows and has taken part in many group exhibitions.
Dates for 2025:
- 06 - 13 May
- 03 - 10 June
- 16 - 23 September
- 07 - 14 October
You will stay at the Cormoranos Hotel Apartments during your holiday or at the Sunny Bay Hotel near Kissamos, a few kilometres from Nopigia. Please note that the itinerary is subject to change if decided by the tour leader due to local conditions. Air Conditioning is charged locally at 7 euros per apartment per day if required.
Board Basis: Bed & BreakfastAgenda
Day 1 - Arrival and Welcome dinner
Morning flight from the UK and transfer from Chania airport. You will be met by our local taxi driver and taken to your family run hotel (1 hour).
A communal evening meal will be held allowing you to meet the other participants. This will also include an introduction to the weekly programme and an opportunity for any questions to be answered by the leaders etc.
Overnight at the Cormoranos Hotel Apartments in Nopigia or at the Sunny Bay Hotel near Kissamos.
Cormoranos Hotel Apartments, Crete, Greece
Day 2 - Walking and Painting
After breakfast, meet at the hotel for the walk: ’Platanaki – Korfalonas - City of Kissamos’. Walking part of the expedition: about 1.5 hours. You will spend time in Kissamos for a visit to the local museum and shopping. Return to the hotel by bus for some free time for lunch in the afternoon. The first painting workshop will take place in the early evening, followed by free time for the rest of the evening to enjoy the nearby tavernas and attractions.
Overnight at the Cormoranos Hotel Apartments in Nopigia or at the Sunny Bay Hotel near Kissamos.
Walking in Crete, Greece
Day 3 - Walking and Painting
After breakfast, meet at the hotel for the walk: ’Ancient Mythimna – Agios Georgios – Villa Trevizan’. Walking part of the expedition: about 2.5 hours. Return to the hotel for some free time for lunch in the afternoon. The second painting workshop will take place in the early evening, followed by free time for the rest of the evening.
Overnight at the Cormoranos Hotel Apartments in Nopigia or at the Sunny Bay Hotel near Kissamos.
Painting at dusk, Crete, Greece
Day 4 - Walking and Painting
After breakfast, meet at the hotel for the walk: ’ Drapanias - Potamida’. Walking part of the expedition: about 3 hours. Return to the hotel for some free time for lunch in the afternoon. The third painting workshop will take place in the early evening, followed by free time for the rest of the evening for further painting or to enjoy the local attractions.
Overnight at the Cormoranos Hotel Apartments in Nopigia or at the Sunny Bay Hotel near Kissamos.
Walking trail, Crete, Greece
Day 5 - Walking and Painting
After breakfast, meet at the hotel for the walk: ’Kotsiana - Rokka’. Walking part of the expedition: about 3 hours. Return to the hotel for some free time for lunch in the afternoon. The fourth painting workshop will take place in the early evening, followed by free time for the rest of the evening for further painting or to enjoy the local attractions.
Overnight at the Cormoranos Hotel Apartments in Nopigia or at the Sunny Bay Hotel near Kissamos.
Cormoranos Hotel Apartments, Crete, Greece
Day 6 - Day of leisure
A free day to rest, ideal for further walking or sightseeing at your own leisure. You could enjoy the many attractions of Chania, or visit the famous Balos beach by a short boat trip or hire a car to explore further a-field.
Overnight at the Cormoranos Hotel Apartments in Nopigia or at the Sunny Bay Hotel near Kissamos.
Chania, Crete, Greece
Day 7 - Walking and Painting
After breakfast, meet at the hotel for the walk: ’Nopigia – Panagia Myrtidiotisa – Agios Vasilios’. Walking part of the expedition: about 3 hours. Return to the hotel for some free time for lunch in the afternoon. The evening will consist of the Painting Exhibition, allowing you to showcase your work, followed by a party.
Overnight at the Cormoranos Hotel Apartments in Nopigia or at the Sunny Bay Hotel near Kissamos.
Crete, Greece
Day 8 - Day of departure
Transfer to Chania Airport for flight back to the UK or to any other Crete resort to continue your holiday.
Accommodation
Cormoranos Hotel Apartments - Night 1 to 7
The Cormoranos Hotel Apartments are located just 150m from the beach in the hamlet of Nopigia, 7 kms east of the main town of Kissamos (aka Kastelli).
The Cormoranos Hotel Apartments are located just 150m from the beach in the hamlet of Nopigia, 7 kms east of the main town of Kissamos (aka Kastelli).
The 10 apartments here comprise a living room with kitchen area (2 cooking rings, fridge) and pull-out extra bed(s), a twin bedroom, shower room and spacious covered balcony or terrace with fine views to the surrounding countryside (some to the sea) and of the pool and gardens. All apartments possess air conditioning, hairdryer, room safe and free WiFi.
Although equipped for self catering, a good breakfast can be provided with some Cretan specialities and home made treats included (local charge - included in our Painting and Walking holidays).
To the front the Cormoranos Hotel Apartments has lush gardens and a beautiful pool (12m x 7m, depth 0.80m-2.40m) with sunbeds on the grass. There is a small fitness room (free), sauna (local charge) and a few bicycles for guests' use (free).
It is a two minute walk to the pebble beach (sandy and gently shelving in the water). Nopigia has a pair of traditional tavernas and a beach cafe (seasonal - sunbeds available at a local charge). Another two tavernas and a mini-market can be found a 15 minute walk away - for a wider choice there is an hourly bus service to Kissamos from the top of the road that takes 15 minutes. A baker's van visits Nopigia most days selling freshly baked bread.
This is a beautiful area of Crete with untouched countryside and little development.
Note: The Cormoranos Hotel Apartments, together with the Sunny Bay Hotel close to Kissamos, are the bases for our 7 night Crete activity itineraries.
Active Crete Walking and Painting Holiday Itinerary
These Itineraries include breakfast but air-conditioning is at a local charge of 7 euros per day.