FULL DAY : SPINALONGA (Seat on Coach)

Originally, Spinalonga was not an island, it was part of the island of Crete. During Venetian occupation the island was carved out of the coast for defense purposes and a fort was built there. During Venetian rule, salt was harvested from salt pans around the island. The island has also been used as a leper colony (the last one in Europe). Spinalonga has appeared in novels (“The Island” by Victoria Hislop), television series, and a short film.
 We will have a guided tour around this famous island, which has a perimeter of 850m only. Venetians fortified the island in 1579 by building a fortress with 40 canons and today these are the best preserved walls in Europe.  
Spinalonga used to be a leper colony from 1903 until 1957 : lepers were provided medical help and economical support, so to ensure them a decent life. The ruins of the market street with the shops, the hospital and many small houses in which lepers lived their isolated life, can still be seen. 
On our way back on the boat, we make a stop on the beach Kolokytha, whe-re you can enjoy a swim and BBQ lunch.