Day 10, October 1, 2024, Spinalonga/Kritsa

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We begin another full day of touring with a drive to Crete’s eastern coast and the tiny port town of Elounda. Here we board a wooden boat for a private ride through the Bay of Elounda to Spinalonga, a former Venetian island fortress later occupied by the Ottomans then used as a leper colony from 1903 to 1957.

Spinalonga sits at the mouth of the long bay, between mainland Crete and the uninhabited, mountainous Spinalonga Peninsula (which provides a dramatic photographic backdrop).

On Spinalonga, we have time to explore some of the imposing fortifications which helped the Venetians retain control of the island for some 60 years after the Ottomans had conquered Crete.

We return to Elounda by boat, then travel to the hilltop village of Krista where we have lunch by the National Women’s Association. 

We return to Heraklion where the evening is free for dinner on our own.






















































































































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