September 20–October 4, 2025

 

The Path of the Pilgrimage

Saturday Sep 20

Welcome! Arrival at Hotel Olympic, Heraklion. 6-8 pm introductory meeting on roof terrace. 8.15 pm meet in Reception for short walk to group dinner (included) nearby.

Sunday Sep 21

7-10 am Breakfast at Olympic Hotel. 10-10.30 Circle dance on roof terrace (long skirts please!).

10.40 depart Olympic for Archaeological Museum (15 minutes walk, 2 groups or taxis).

11.15-1 pm guided tour of Archaeological Museum. 3.50 pm meet in Reception to walk to bus.

4.00 pm depart Olympic for Knossos. 4.30-6.00 guided tour of Knossos plus Goddess shop.

6.35 pm meet at bus, depart at 6.45 pm for Olympic Hotel. 7.30-8 meeting on roof terrace.

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Monday Sep 22

9.00 meet in Reception with packed bags. 9.15 depart Olympic Hotel for Paliani Monastery

(modest dress, no shorts). 11 am meet at bus to depart Paliani at 11.10 for village of Ano Asites: folk museum, meetings with local women, traditional lunch (included); overnight at Hotel Idi in Zaros in the Psiloritis Mountains. 6.30-8 pm group meeting in dining room.

 

Tuesday Sep 23

9.20 meet at bus (walking shoes, swim things, no shorts). 9.30 depart Hotel Idi for Kamilari

Tholos Tomb, d. 12.15 for Phaistos, 2.30 arrive Kalamaki beach for late lunch on your own

(Aristodimos/Pelagos). 4.50 meet at bus for 5 pm dep. to Idi. 6.30-8.00 pm group meeting.

 

Wednesday Sep 24

Free day. 10-2 pm optional (vegetarian) cooking class €40 pp (TBC), includes lunch. Those not

cooking have the option to eat the lunch (€15). Other options: View Maria's textiles, walk to

Zaros lake, relax and swim in hotel pool. 6.00-7.30 pm group meeting in dining room.

 

Thursday Sep 25

8.50 meet at bus with packed bags. 9.00 dep. Hotel Idi for Archanes Archaeological Museum,

Mt. Juktas site by minivan (walking shoes, no shorts). 12.30-2.50 options in Archanes: visit

weaving studio, Myrto's Goddess shop, possible textile dealer, lunch (a la carte). 2.50 Meet at bus for 3.00 dep. from Archanes for Skoteino cave (walking shoes, cave clothes). Meet at bus at 17.50 to depart at 6 pm. Approx. 7 pm arr. Hotel Santa Marina in Ayios Nikolaos. Free evening.

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Friday Sep 26

Free half day, with option to visit Ayios Nikolaos Archaeological Museum. continued...Friday Sep 26 continued... 4.05 pm Meet at bus to leave at 4.15 for Malia ancient site including

museum. 6.20 Meet at bus to leave at 6.30, return by 6.45. 19.00-20.00 pm group meeting.

Saturday Sep 27

8.20 meet in Reception. 8.30 am dep. Hotel Santa Marina for Krasi plane tree, Panayia Kera

Kardiotissa (modest dress), Lasithi Plateau & Trapeza cave (cave clothes), Ayios Giorgios folk museum (if open). 3 pm late lunch (a la carte) at Seli Abelou in Lasithi, possible meetings with local women. 5.00pm dep from Lasithi, arr. Hotel Santa Marina approx. 6 pm. Free evening.

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Sunday Sep 28

9.50 meet in Reception with packed bags and luggage tags for Mochlos. 10.00 depart Hotel

Santa Marina for Panagia Kera Kritsa (normal dress OK), 12.00 early lunch (a la carte), d. 1.30 for Gournia site, dep. Gournia 3.30 for Mochlos. 6.00-7.00 pm group meeting at Hotel Mochlos.

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Monday Sep 29

8.50 meet at bus outside village. 9.00 dep. Mochlos for Siteia museum and ethnographic

museum, meetings with local women. Meet at bus at 12.20, dep. 12.30 to return to Mochlos for lunch (a la carte). 6.00-7.00 pm group meeting at Hotel Mochlos.

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Tuesday Sep 30

Free day. 10 AM: Optional guided tour of Mochlos island, weather permitting, time TBC.

6.00-7.30 Sea ritual at labyrinth (green/blue/white clothes in sea colours please)

8.00 dinner at Sofia's (a la carte) with possible live music and dancing.

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Wednesday Oct 1

8.30-9.00 luggage pickup at your accommodation. 9.00 Check out of your rooms.

9.30 dep. Mochlos with packed bags. 10.15-11.00 Cafe break outside Ierapetra,

11.30-1.30 Myrtos/Fornou Korifi site (dirt road in 4x4s; walking shoes, no shorts, stone from

home). 2.30 late lunch (a la carte) and Sappho ritual at Kato Symi (warm clothes). Dep. 5 pm for Thrapsano pottery (approx. 6-6.45 pm). 7:30 arrive at Hotel Olympic, Heraklion. Free evening.

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Thursday Oct 2

Free day. 11 am meet in Reception for optional tour of ethnographic section in National

Historical Museum with Laura (€6), and/or Minoan Theatre at 3 pm in Karteros (€10 + taxi).

6.00-8.00 pm group completion and gift exchange (bring your gift, but don't wrap it!).

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Friday Oct 3

Heraklion Archaeological Museum again in morning, time TBC (15 minutes walk).

1.00 Final celebration lunch by harbour (included). Free afternoon & evening.

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Saturday Oct 4

Departure from Hotel Olympic (checkout at 11 am) or stay on. Travel safely! Kalo taxidi!

 

Come with us this year! View fees, payment options, reserve your space.

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Based on the 2024 Pilgrimage itinerary. Please note, due to possible changes in
circumstances, our itinerary is subject to change.