Spinalonga Island, once a leper colony, now stands as a captivating historical site waiting to be explored. This guided day trip promises an immersive experience, from a private boat cruise to a walking tour of abandoned buildings, all while enjoying local cuisine and wine. With personalized insights from knowledgeable guides, visitors can uncover the island’s fascinating past and its enduring significance. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply seeking a unique cultural adventure, this all-inclusive package offers a chance to delve deeper into the rich heritage of this Greek island.
Key Points
- Comprehensive package includes roundtrip hotel transfer, private boat cruise, guided walking tour, and seaside lunch with local wine.
- Limited to 35 participants for a comfortable experience, with live guides in German and French, and optional audio guide.
- Guided walking tour explores the abandoned leper colony on Spinalonga Island, providing insights into its history and significance.
- Lunch at a seaside tavern features fresh seafood, local wine, and regional specialties, offering a culture.
- Efficient transportation design, with roundtrip hotel transfers and a spacious 50-seater bus, ensures a smooth and timely excursion.
Tour Overview and Pricing
The Spinalonga Island Guided Day Trip offers a comprehensive package that includes a roundtrip hotel transfer, private boat cruise, guided walking tour of the island, a seaside tavern lunch with wine, and more, all for a starting price of $102.76 per person.
The 8-hour excursion allows travelers to explore the former leper colony of Spinalonga, with the option to cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
The tour is limited to 35 participants, ensuring a comfortable travel experience, and a reserve now, pay later option is available for added convenience.
With live guides in German and French and an optional audio guide, the tour promises an informative and memorable experience.
Itinerary and Experience
The Spinalonga Island Guided Day Trip immerses travelers in the island’s captivating history, beginning with a pickup from their hotel or nearest accessible point. Guests then embark on a boat cruise to Spinalonga, where a guided walking tour awaits, shedding light on the island’s former role as a leper colony.
The experience includes:
- Exploration of the abandoned buildings and structures that once housed the leper community.
- Insights from a knowledgeable guide who shares the island’s compelling stories and historical context.
- A delightful lunch at a seaside tavern, featuring fresh seafood, local wine, and other regional specialties.
- A visit to the charming town of Agios Nikolaos for shopping and further culture.
- The convenience of roundtrip transportation in a spacious bus, with limited stops for a comfortable journey.
Transportation and Group Size
Roundtrip hotel transfers with a maximum of 6 pickup stops ensure a comfortable travel experience for participants.
The tour is limited to 35 individuals, accommodated in a spacious 50-seater bus, minimizing the number of stops and providing ample space for a pleasant journey.
This arrangement allows for efficient transportation, as the bus makes limited stops to pick up guests, ensuring a smooth and timely start to the excursion.
The spacious vehicle ensures that each traveler has sufficient room, contributing to a relaxed and enjoyable experience throughout the day’s activities.
The tour’s transportation design prioritizes convenience and comfort, creating an ideal setting for exploring the historical Spinalonga Island.
Guidance and Language Options
Alongside the comfortable transportation, the Spinalonga Island Guided Day Trip offers language options to accommodate a diverse range of participants.
Travelers can choose between a live tour guide available in German and French, or an optional audio guide in German, providing a personalized and informative experience during the exploration of the historic island.
The licensed guide offers insightful commentary and captivating stories throughout the tour, ensuring visitors gain a deep understanding of Spinalonga’s rich history and significance.
- Live tour guide in German and French
- Optional audio guide in German
- Licensed guide providing historical insights
- Personalized experience for each participant
- Informative and engaging tour commentary
Inclusions and Exclusions
This Spinalonga Island Guided Day Trip includes hotel transfer, private boat cruise, guided walking tour of Spinalonga, admission ticket, lunch, wine, water, and gratuities, while personal expenses are excluded.
The tour provides a seamless and all-inclusive experience, ensuring guests can fully enjoy the history and scenery of Spinalonga without worrying about additional costs.
The included hotel transfer and private boat cruise make for a comfortable and convenient journey, while the guided walking tour and lunch at a seaside tavern allow visitors to truly appreciate the island’s rich cultural heritage.
With all the major expenses covered, guests can focus on enjoying the day trip to the fullest.
Customer Feedback
Traveler reviews of the Spinalonga Island Guided Day Trip highlight positive experiences with the boat cruise and quality of the provided lunch, though a discrepancy was noted regarding an advertised herb farm visit that didn’t occur during the tour.
The tour received a 4 out of 5 rating, with reviewers praising the:
- Enjoyable boat ride to the island
- Delicious and fresh seafood, chicken, and vegetarian lunch options
- Knowledgeable and engaging tour guides
- Comfortable transportation with limited pickup stops
- Opportunity to explore the historic Spinalonga Island
However, some customers were disappointed by the lack of the promised herb farm visit, which was advertised as part of the itinerary.
Pickup and Transfer
The Spinalonga Island Guided Day Trip includes roundtrip hotel transfers, with a maximum of 6 pickup stops along the way to ensure a comfortable and efficient travel experience.
Guests are picked up from their hotel or the nearest accessible point, and transported to the charming village of Elounda. From there, they’ll embark on a boat cruise to the historic Spinalonga Island, the site of a former leper colony.
The tour’s transportation is provided in a spacious 50-seater bus, limiting the group size to 35 participants for a more personalized and relaxed journey.
The combination of hassle-free transfers and small group sizes ensures a smooth and enjoyable travel day for all participants.
Dining and Refreshments
Lunch at a seaside tavern in Plaka with options for fresh fish, chicken, or vegetarian dishes, including local wine, is included in the Spinalonga Island Guided Day Trip.
After the guided tour of the former leper colony, visitors will enjoy a delightful meal overlooking the stunning coastal scenery.
The lunch experience offers:
- A selection of locally sourced, freshly prepared dishes
- Opportunity to sample traditional Greek cuisine
- Complimentary local wine to enhance the dining experience
- Scenic waterfront setting to soak in the island’s ambiance
- Attentive service from the tavern staff
With this included lunch, the Spinalonga Island excursion provides a well-rounded cultural and culinary experience for participants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Photography Allowed on the Island?
Photography is generally allowed on Spinalonga Island. Visitors can capture photos during the guided walking tour, though they should be mindful of any restricted areas or rules set by the site authorities.
What Is the Dress Code for the Tour?
The tour has no formal dress code. Casual, comfortable clothing and sturdy, closed-toe shoes are recommended, as the island involves walking on uneven terrain. Visitors should dress appropriately for the weather conditions on the day of the tour.
Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks?
Guests are generally not permitted to bring their own food and drinks on organized tours. The tour package typically includes all meals and refreshments, so outside items are usually not allowed. Guests should check with the tour operator for specific policies.
Do I Need to Bring Any Special Equipment?
No special equipment is needed for this tour. The tour provides all necessary transportation, entrance fees, and guided experiences. Participants should dress comfortably and bring any personal items they may need during the day.
Is There Any Age or Physical Fitness Requirement?
There are no specific age or physical fitness requirements for this tour. It is suitable for most travelers, though some mobility is needed to navigate Spinalonga Island’s uneven terrain. Guests with disabilities should check with the tour operator for accommodations.
Recap
This guided day trip to Spinalonga Island offers a captivating exploration of its history as a former leper colony.
The all-inclusive package includes a private boat cruise, a walking tour with knowledgeable guides, and a seaside lunch with local wine, providing a memorable immersion in Greek culture and history.
With a small group size and convenient transportation, this experience promises an in-depth and personalized discovery of Spinalonga’s fascinating past.
