Discovering Crete

Arrival at Heraklion airport during the day. Transfer to your hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel, then transfer to the port to collect bikes and formalities.

We leave Heraklion at around 10:00 am. The road crosses the Trygiodo natural park, heading for Psiloritis (Mount Ida), one of three mountain ranges over 2,000 metres high and the highest on the island. From up there, the 360-degree panorama is breathtaking.

The route continues to the Arkadi monastery, the site of the war of independence against the Turks, and then on to Chania, which has retained the charm and authenticity of a Venetian town.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel in the old town.

You leave Chania on a splendid little road along the island's west coast.

To your left, the White Mountains, the island's second highest massif at almost 2,500 metres, and to your right, the rugged coastline.

The stage takes you to the superb beaches of the Libyan Sea, including the legendary Elafonissi.

Check-in at the hotel and dinner overlooking the sea and the sunset.

The day begins with a drive through the White Mountains. Until lunchtime, you can no longer see the sea, which is rare in Crete. Very winding and isolated, the route takes you to the gateway to the famous Samaria Gorge.

In the afternoon, you drive around Mount Pachnès, the highest peak in the massif, before plunging southwards towards the Libyan Sea on a fast radial road ending with an exceptional 180-degree panorama.

Check-in at the hotel and dinner in one of the tavernas on the port of Chora Sfakion.

Continue along the south coast to the Orthodox monastery of Preveli, then on to Matala and Kapetaniana. On the way, stop off at the Venetian fortress of Frangokastello.

The afternoon course winds up the mountainside on a road offering spectacular views of the coast and the Libyan Sea.

Check-in and dinner at your cliff-top guesthouse.

Today's route first clings to the cliffs of Asteroussia, before continuing along the slopes of Lassithi, the island's third massif.

Whichever way you turn your gaze, the intense blue of the Libyan Sea stands out.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Today you'll discover a different kind of Crete: rugged, mineral and arid, with a jagged, dry coastline reminiscent of neighboring Africa.

After Sitia, the road winds along the Gulf of Mirambelos to Agios Nikolaos.

Check-in at the hotel and dinner around the harbor basins.

We return to Heraklion via the coastal road to Spinalonga and Plaka. The return to Heraklion takes you to the archaeological site of Knossos, where the legendary King Minos had his palace.

After a stop at the port to return your motorcycle, transfer to Heraklion airport if you're returning the same day.

If you have chosen to extend your stay, a free day followed by dinner in Heraklion.

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport for your return flight.