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Tour inclusions:

• Arrival transfer in Athens from the airport to hotel

• Transportation by air-conditioned coach as per itinerary

• 1 night Athens accommodation at Hotel Divani

• 1 night ferry ticket and cabin accommodation between Athens - Chania

• 4 nights accommodation in Crete-Chania at Minoa Palace Resort & Spa

• 6 breakfasts (B), 2 Dinner (D)

• Guided tours of battlefields

• Escorted by pilgrimage guides and local representatives

• Entrance to all commemorations and events

Your Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 - Tue 17 May 2011: Athens

Transfer to your hotel, rest of day at leisure. Please join your fellow travellers this evening in the hotel for an informal get together and share the opportunity to get to know each other. Overnight in Athens.

Day 2 - Wed 18 May: Athens – Crete/Chania

This morning after breakfast join your group in the conference room for an informative talk by our tour historian on the Battle of Crete. Depart the hotel for a tour of Athens including Constitution Square, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and pause to see the changing of the guard.

Enjoy free time at leisure in the Plaka district of Athens filled with restaurants and shops. Later in the afternoon meet the tour to drive to Faliron Commonwealth War Cemetery, the final resting place for 2,028 servicemen of WWII. Leaving the cemetery enjoy a typical Greek dinner before boarding your overnight ferry to Crete. [BD]

Day 3 - Thu 19 May: Souda Bay, Chania and Galatas, Crete

Early morning arrival into Souda Bay and disembark. Continue to Chania Harbour for an El Fresco breakfast before accompanying contingents from other countries at a special flag raising ceremony at the old 16th Century Venetian fort.

Afterwards take time to visit the old Venetian harbour and the old town filled with alleys and shops. We recommend you also visit Chania Naval Museum. After checking into your hotel where you will spend the next 4 nights, travel to the little village of Galatas which holds a very special place in the struggle for the island. [B]

Day 4 - Fri 20 May: Rethymnon Memorial, Rethymnon, Souda Bay War Cemetery, Crete

After breakfast join your tour historian for a presentation on todays activities. Mid morning we head east to visit the battlefields at Rethymnon and the Australian memorial at Stavromenos.

After visiting the memorial, free time is available for lunch in the township of Rethymnon. After lunch, visit Petichaki Square, the centre of the town with its famous Venetian Rimondi Fountain still with running water.

Later this afternoon we travel back to Souda Bay and the Souda Bay War Cemetery located 5km east of Chania for a commemorative service. This evening is free at leisure. [B]

Day 5 - Sat 21 May: Battlefield Tour, Maleme, Hill 107, Tavronitis River and Maleme Airport, Crete

After breakfast join your historian guide for a presentation on todays activities. Today we visit the most critical sector during the battle 70 years ago - the small airfield at Maleme and Hill 107.

Breaking into small groups we plan to visit a private military museum at Maleme and walk over the original Tavronitis River bridge that was at the centre of much of the battle.

After freshening up at the hotel we head back to Maleme Airfield for a re-enactment of the airborne invasion. [B]

Day 6 - Sun 22 May: Excursion to Sfakia, Crete

Enjoy a full day tour that will retrace the route taken by our retreating soldiers in 1941 over the formidable White Mountains (Lefka Ori). During the day we will be stopping at 42nd Street, the site of another spontaneous Allied charge, and onto the summit of the pass to view the historic Askifou plateau.

Following a brief service at the memorial at Sfakia and lunch, we stop at a private military museum at Askifou on the return journey. Tonight is our last night together so please join us for a special last night dinner in a relaxed environment and a chance to reflect. [BD]

Day 7 Mon 23 May: Depart Crete

Your programme ends after breakfast. A transfer to the airport is included. [B]

The price of this commemoration tour starts at NZ$2,295pp share twin