EVACUATION GREECE
& BATTLE OF CRETE
Commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Greek Campaign
and the Battle of Crete (1941 – 2016)
14 days
May 10 – 23, 2016
introduction
The Anzac To u r s In Greece was inspired and founded in 2012 by Mr. Nicolas Fournarakis , a professional having more than 30 years of experience in the
tourism field.
Mr. Nicolas Fournarakis was born and grew up in Chania, West Crete and more specifically in the village of Souda. Throughout his childhood Mr. Fournarakis
was familiarized with the tight relationship that Greek, Australian and New Zealand soldiers had during the WW2. His grandparents participated in the war
and they often used to share stories and struggles that they experienced in the battles. The brotherhood relationship that was created between the soldiers
was at its peak in “The Battle of Crete” in May 1941. Mr. Fournarakis was deeply inspired and affected by the heroism and greatness of the Australian and New
Zealand soldiers that fought outside their country for the greater good and the idea of freedom and democracy.
Even today Mr. Fournarakis has friends and family members that permanently work and live a successful life in Australia. As a result his personal relationship
with Australia is strong. He is also a Board Member of the Hellenic Australian Business Council, based in Athens (
http://www.habc.gr/habc_board.asp ).
During the 2011 tourism activities Mr. Fournarakis was assigned to design and provide services for a 15 day program for the members of the Victorian
Parliamentary Friends of Greece. That itinerary included visits to Athens, to Peloponnese , to Corfu and Crete , of course, for the celebration of the 70 th
anniversary of The Battle of Crete. In that group, 22 of the travelers were senators and parliament members , all over Australia and the tour was successfully
accomplished. For most visitors it was the first time to travel to Greece and it was a dream to come through (testimonials available if requested!).
Since that time he has delivered 5 VIP tours of Australian politicians and a number of
private tours including the 2015 Centenary of Anzac activities in Greece.
Being recognized as a committed travel agent to the Anzac story in Greece he was selected
to offer VIP tours for the 75 Anniversary of the Greek campaign and Battle of Crete
The fundamental meaning of the “A NZ AC TOURS IN GREECE” is to give the opportunity to
every Australian or New Zealander to visit the actual, historic now, areas that their ancestors
fought for freedom, from a perspective that only the trust and the expertise of a
professional travel agency can give.
Welcome to the 6th Anzac To u r in Greece!!
introduction
We recommend a midday arrival in Athens. After customs’
clearance, meet with our representative and transfer to the
hotel.
At 19.00 “Meet and Greet” at the hotel lobby with your
Tour Director.
For tonight optional dinner at a local restaurant in Plaka
area (own expense).
Overnight Athens.
Day 1
Tuesday 10 May
2016
Arrival in Athens
The striking contrast between breathtaking monuments of glorious past and modern elegant structures is what you will enjoy during your
tour of Athens.
Nearly all the sites were also visited by the Anzacs during their stay in Athens in March and April 1941.
Athens half day tour (4 hours) begins with a panoramic drive around Syntagma square, passing by National Garden, Hadrian’s Arch, St.
Paul’s Church, Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Catholic Cathedral, and Schliemann’s House.
You will then drive past the Athens Trilogy which includes the University of Athens, the Academy of Athens, and the National Library. Your
licensed guide will explain more of Athens’s history old and new, as you look at these stately buildings.
Continue for a photo stop at Panathinaiko Stadium where the first Olympic Games of the modern era took place in 1896. It is the only
stadium built out of white marble. Proceed, passing by Zappeion and Temple of Olympian Zeus.
Then you will have the experience of one of Athens’ newest achievements: the Athens Metro. A magnificent marriage of high-tech
transportation and archeology, this rapid transit system is a museum in itself with its marble surroundings, displays of antiquities uncovered
during construction and glass-encased artefact exhibits. Nowhere else in the world can one experience the glory of one civilization
simultaneously within the urbanity of another.
Day 2
Wednesday 11 May
2016
Athens (city tour & ANZAC sites)
Upon exiting the Metro you pass by the hill where St. Paul spoke to the Athenians on your way to the top of the Acropolis, home of
the Parthenon, dedicated to Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom and Patron Goddess of Athens.
Visit the Erechtheion with its porch of Maidens, the small temple of Athena Niki which stands on a protruding mass of rock, protecting the
gate to the citadel and the Propylae, the monumental entrance to the Acropolis which blends Doric and Ionic building principles.
The Acropolis is one of UNESCO'S top world heritage monuments. Time free for lunch (own expenses).In the afternoon visit Phaleron
Commonwealth War Cemetery with over 2000 graves and 3000 names on the Athens Memorial remembering those who do not have a known
grave (wreath laying ceremony) and the Floating Naval Museum Battleship Averof in Piraeus. Evening free.
Overnight Athens.
Day 2 continued
Wednesday 11 May
2016
Athens (city tour & ANZAC sites)
Today we go to the port of Piraeus where our Anzacs arrived for
the Greek campaign. We will take part in a day cruise to Hydra
– Poros and Aegina the nearest islands to mainland Greece.
We sail the same waters that the Anzacs did. No Anzac journey
to Greece could be really experienced until you sail on the
Aegean- its serenity, beauty but for the Anzacs the threat of air
or submarine attack.
Overnight Athens.
Day 3
Thursday 12 May
2016
Athens (one day cruise)
Depart Athens as we travel the evacuation route south from which the
British and Anzac troops were forced from Greece in April 1941.
We visit the evacuation beach of Megara then visit the spectacular
Corinth Canal (one of the three mega canals in the world, the other
two are the Panama and the Suez canals), site of one of the desperate
battles of the Greek Campaign.
Continue drive south on to Nafplio, first capital of modern Greece
and major evacuation port of the allied troops in WW2 including our
nurses from the 2/5TH Australian General Hospital.
Time free for late lunch (own expenses).
After lunch, drive through Argos a main assembly point for
evacuating troops then via the mountains of Arcadia to Olympia,
birthplace of the Olympic Games (776 BC). Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight Olympia.
Day 4
Friday 13 May
2016
Athens-Corinth-Nafplio-Olympia
After breakfast visit to the archaeological site with the ruins of
the Temples of Zeus and Hera, the altar of the Olympic flame,
the ancient Olympic Stadium and the museum of Olympia.
We then rejoin our evacuation route south to the city of
Kalamata. Kalamata was the site of the last mainland battle in
Greece and where 10,000 Allied troops were stranded being
made POW’s. We visit the sites of the massive olive groves in
which they hid, the escape beach and port and the streets of
the final battle, We lay wreaths at the Commonwealth
Memorial at Railway Park.
Overnight Kalamata.
Day 5
Saturday 14 May
2016
Olympia-Kalamata
Today we make an early start making our way to The Mani
Peninsula at Kardamyli which hundreds of Allied troops
escaped to after the capture of Kalamata.
We visit the museum home of Patrick Leigh Fermor a British
Liaison Operative to Greece and later Special Operations
Operative behind enemy lines in Crete.
We then drive to medieval Monemvasia the last of the
evacuation ports from the mainland. This is where NZ General
Freyberg the last of the Allied Commanders left Greece prior to
becoming Allied Chief of Command in the Battle of Crete.
Lunch and dinner (at own expense) will be organized enroot.
Return and Overnight Kalamata.
Day 6
Sunday 15 May
2016
Kalamata
Today we leave Kalamata enroute to medieval port city of Methoni.
Here in Dec 1941 an Italian POW ship with 2000 Allied troops
including 400 Anzacs was torpedoed by a British submarine The
ship ran aground at Methoni Point, many POW’s made daring
escapes into the mountains of Messinia others were rounded up for
a treacherous winter as prisoners. Lunch here (own expense).
After lunch return to Kalamata for short city tour and free time. In
Kalamata the Greek War of Independence from the Ottoman Turks
started in 1821. We will visit some of these sites in the old town.
Weather permitting late swim at Kalamata evacuation beach.
Overnight Kalamata.
Day 7
Monday 16 May
2016
Kalamata
After breakfast , leave behind the beautiful city of Kalamata and
drive north to Tripolis for a short time Allied HQ. Short stop for
coffee and continue to Athens.
Arrive Athens International airport and flight to Heraklion the
largest city of the island of Crete.
Meeting with our local representative and transfer to the hotel.
Evening free to discover the beauties of the historic city of
Heraklion.
Overnight Heraklion.
Day 8
Tuesday 17 May
2016
Kalamata-Tripoli-Athens-Heraklion
Crete is the homeland of the Ancient Minoan Civilization and today you will have the opportunity to visit the famous Knossos palace and the
archaeological museum of Heraklion.
The Palace of Knossos, lies 5 km south to Heraklion and is the largest of the preserved Minoan palatial centers. Four wings are arranged
around a central courtyard, containing the royal quarters, workshops, shrines, storerooms, repositories, the throne room and banquet halls.
Dated to 2000-1350 B.C.After Knossos we visit the picturesque village of Archanes, where there is a memorial commemorating General
Kreipe’s kidnap by the Cretan Resistance fighters and the SOE (Special Operations Executive) team on May 1944.
The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is one of the largest and most important museums in Greece, and among the most important
museums in Europe. It houses representative artifacts from all the periods of Cretan prehistory and history, covering a chronological span of
over 5,500 years from the Neolithic period to Roman times. The singularly important Minoan collection contains unique examples of Minoan
art, many of them true masterpieces. The Heraklion Museum is rightly considered as the museum of Minoan culture par excellence
worldwide.
Lunch at a local restaurant (own expenses). Afternoon visit of ANZAC sites near the city of Heraklion including Barracks area near Nea
Alikarnassos and Babali.
Overnight Heraklion.
Day 9
Wednesday 18 May
2016
Heraklion (Knossos)
This morning we make our way to Rethymnon which was under full Australian command. Official events start today.
We visit the Australian-Greece Memorial for wreath laying and visit the areas battle zones including Perivolia. We make our way to
the famous Preveli Monastery which hid Allied soldiers until their escape could be secured. Visit Rethymnon town for lunch (own
expense). At 19.00 visit Galatas village for official Commemoration events (wreath laying) at the Greek – New Zealand Memorial
remembering the charge of Galatas.
Overnight Chania.
Day 10
Thursday 19 May
2016
Heraklion-Stavromenos-
Preveli-Rethymnon-Chania
Morning free. At 12.00 noon participation at the event hosted
by the Australian Embassy in Greece, at the Hellenic –
Australian Memorial in Rethymnon.
On the way back to Chania, visit Sfakia , main evacuation port
for Allied troops during the battle of Crete. Visit the Anzac and
NZ Memorials. Time free for swimming and lunch (own
expenses).
Return early evening at Chania for free time.
Overnight Chania.
Day 11
Friday 20 May
2016
Chania (Sfakia)
Morning tour of ANZAC sites in Chania area - Maleme airport (the turning point of the war), German Cemetery (Hill 107), 42nd street (the
last hand to hand battle in Crete and Memorial) , visit Venizelos tomb and walking tour of Chania town. Visit Chania Naval Museum and view
their Anzac exhibition. Also visit the old Polytechnic school which used to be the military hospital during the Battle of Crete. Lunch (own
expense).
At 17.00 transfer to the Souda Commonwealth War Cemetery for the event hosted by the British Embassy in Greece ( wreath laying).
Dinner at a traditional restaurant Chania Venetian port (own expenses).
Overnight Chania.
Day 12
Saturday 21 May
2016
Chania (ANZAC Sites)
After breakfast drive southwest. First stop at the heroic village of
Kandanos, which was destroyed and 180 of its inhabitants killed by
German forces on 3 June 1941 in reprisals for
their protection of Allied troops who were on the run.
Next stop the seaside village of Sougia, from where we get the water
taxi for Trypiti gorge , evacuation place of the last Allied soldiers
who had been stranded on Crete until 7 May 1943. Return to Sougia
and time free for swimming and lunch (own expenses).
Return to Chania. At 19.00 Closing Ceremony at the Battle of Crete
Memorial at Maleme airport.
Farewell dinner at a traditional Cretan restaurant in a nearby village.
Overnight Chania.
Day 13
Sunday 22 May
2016
Chania (Kandanos-Sougia-Trypiti)
Transfer to Chania airport for departure.
Day 14
Monday 23 May
2016
Chania (departure)
For more information please contact
Mr Nicolas Fournarakis
info@anzactours-ingreece.com
SERVICES INCLUDED
• Accommodation in double/twin rooms at 4/5 star hotels as follows:
ATHENS: Royal Olympic Hotel , 5 stars, on BB basis.
OLYMPIA: Hotel Europa , 4 stars, on HB basis.
KALAMATA : Hotel Filoxenia, 4 stars, on BB basis.
HERAKLION: Aquila Atlantis Hotel. 5 stars, on BB basis.
CHANIA: Cretan Dream Royal, 5 stars, on HB basis.
• All transfers and tours by luxury air-conditioned coach.
• Licensed guide in Athens, Olympia, Kalamata and Crete (for all the
days).
• Air tickets Athens-Heraklion and Chania-Athens with Aegean airlines
(economy class) including one luggage 23 kg and one handbag 8
kg.
• Tour will be led by an Anzacs In Greece Specialist.
• Water taxi service Sougia-Trypiti.
• Cost of 5 wreaths.
• Five meals at the hotels (Olympia and Chania).
• Farewell dinner in Chania.
• Meetings with veterans who will share their personal story with the
travelers.
• Services of our agency 24/7.
•
All taxes, including VAT.
Price per person in twin/double sharing
3.390 euro
Single supplement
790 euro
BOOKING FORM
14 days
May 10 – 23,
2016
EVACUATION GREECE
& BATTLE OF CRETE
AMOUNT OF PERSON PARTICIPATING
FIRST NAME(S)
SURNAME
Date of Birth
Applications must be submitted by January 31st 2016.
Any applications submitted after that date will be subject to availability.
Domestic flight ticket prices may increase after that date, which will result a corresponding
increase of the package price.
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SURNAME
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FIRST NAME(S)
SURNAME
Date of Birth
FIRST NAME(S)
SURNAME
Date of Birth
If you should require individual invoices please fill in details for each person
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ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DETAILS
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Date o Departure
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ROOM TYPE
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Note
Family Rooms may be either 2 connecting Rooms or Suite Type Family Rooms.
Please ask for special prices!
PRICES
Per person twin sharing € 3.390,00 x persons = € …
Per person in single € 4.180,00 x persons = € …
TOTAL
PAYMENT
A deposit of 30% is required when making the booking, to consider the reservation valid.
Full payment is required 60 days before arrival in Greece.
Reservations will only be confirmed once paid in full.
REMARKS
Please advise if you have any other information that may be important for us to know
about for the comfort of your trip
Anzac Tours In Greece is a brand of nf travel
NF TRAVEL Ltd, 95 Ethnarhou Venizelou str, 73200 Chania, HELLAS