Crete, July 9-12
Experience the darkest skies of Greece
.4 days from €1099
.intro
We team up with some of the best astrophotographers worldwide to provide a unique and complete astrophotography experience. Southern Crete is known for its Bortle 1 skies which give us an unparalleled view of our Cosmos. Combined with the gloriness of Cretan's splendid beaches that's something to experience. We travel to Crete to capture the night sky under some of the best skies in Greece. The workshop will be run in both English and Greek
.important notes
Start: 9/7/25 at Chania city End: 12/6/25 at Chania Airport Please note that the schedule and time frames are flexible and may change based on weather conditions to ensure the best possible experience for you. Below, you'll find the core outline of the itinerary. Having travel insurance that covers medical expenses, trip cancellations, and unforeseen situations is highly recommended (and sometimes required). Better safe than sorry! We’ll spend at least 2 whole nights out on the beach. The temperatures are pretty nice and cozy to sleep under the stars, but make sure to bring anything that makes you feel comfy as we return in the morning.
Itinerary
ARRIVAL: All participants should arrive and be picked up from the CHQ airport or Chania city by 12 pm on 9/7. If you can't find a suitable flight in the morning, we recommend you come a day before.
DEPARTURE: We will return back to Chania CHQ airport at 12 pm on 12/7, so please book Your flight at least 2-3 hours later that day.
We will embark on a journey to Crete, landing at Chania airport, located on the northwest side of the island. Upon arrival, we will meet with other participants and start our trip. Our accommodation is Rooms Kochilas, a facility near Elafonisi.
Upon check-in at our hotel, we will take care of our belongings and then gather as a group for a team lunch at a nearby restaurant. In the evening, we will witness the sunset at the beach where we will also spend the following nights. After the sunset, we can capture early night shots before returning to our accommodation. We can then relax and enjoy drinks or local wine.
Starting the next day, we will begin our theoretical lessons on photography and image processing. Until noon, participants will have free time to spend at the beach, participate in summer activities, or simply enjoy the beautiful views.
.activity level
Easy
As the sun sets, we will head to the beach to take in the beautiful views, swim in the crystal clear waters, and search for the perfect composition for our photographs. Before the astronomical night, we will receive on-field lessons on how to set up our equipment and take photographs with the best settings for our setups.
Once everyone is equipped with the necessary knowledge, we will have the opportunity to take as many photographs as desired, with our hosts always available to ensure that we create beautiful and accurate images.
We plan to spend every night on the beach, taking photographs, enjoying food and swimming in paradise-like waters, along with the night sky. We will also bring sleeping pads and bags to ensure we get enough rest. After the astronomical night, we will return to our accommodation for a good night's sleep. On the last day, we’ll return to Chania and fly back home with full SD cards filled with great photographs and unforgettable experiences.
Upon booking, you’ll be asked to pay the deposit of €500.
The remaining should be paid by Jun 1, 2026.
Basic
€1,099.00
3-night accommodation in Elafonisi
Workshop by Constantine Themelis & Tomas Slovinksy
Cars (with insurance), fuel, and parking fees
Book now
Masterclass
€1,199.00
Everything included in Basic
7-hour webinar valued at 300€, priced at 100€
Send an email after paying the deposit and state that you want the Master Class.
BE A PRO
Travel/Health/Accident insurance
Your plane tickets to/from CHQ.
Private rooms. If you don’t agree to stay in shared rooms you have to take care of your personal accommodation. Some operational fees will be withheld. Contact us before booking to let you know the final price.
Personal expenses, gifts, tickets to museums, etc.
I don’t want to stay in shared rooms. Can you arrange something to fit my needs?
As we stated, we are not a travel company, if sharing a room is too difficult for you, you can arrange a different accommodation. A part of your accommodation expenses will be held as administrative fees.
Can I participate in only a part of the trip?
This is not possible due to logistics, booking accommodations and cars. Subsequently, the full ticket must be paid.
I want to bring a friend/relative with me, but he/she isn’t a photographer. Should he pay?
Your friend would eventually be a part of our group, so yes, the full ticket must be paid.
Is there a difference between a workshop and a tour?
Yes, workshops are designed for people who also want to learn some fundamental and expand their knowledge in astrophotography. Tours are suitable for people who have already a good grasp on astro and just want to visit beautiful places to photograph. For that reason, workshops tend to be more expensive.
Are we alone in the universe?
We sincerely hope not.
Participants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of the tour.
Participants are required to bring all mandatory equipment listed on the tour page. This is necessary for personal safety and the smooth execution of the activity. The organizers reserve the right to deny participation to anyone who does not have the required equipment, if this may compromise safety or the group experience.
The remaining balance must be paid by 1st of June 2026. Failure to do so may result in the participant’s booking being cancelled. In such a case, the cancellation policy below will apply.
Participants acknowledge that outdoor activities, even of low difficulty, involve inherent risks such as uneven terrain, darkness, weather conditions, and natural obstacles. Each participant is responsible for assessing their own physical and mental condition and ensuring they are able to safely take part in the activity.The organizers are responsible for planning and conducting the activity with reasonable care, providing instructions, and making decisions in the interest of group safety. However, the organizers are not liable for injuries, accidents, or damages resulting from risks inherent to outdoor environments, or from a participant’s failure to follow instructions.
Participants must honestly disclose any health conditions that may affect their ability to safely participate. By joining the tour, participants confirm they are physically and mentally fit for this type of activity. The organizers are not responsible for medical issues or injuries arising from pre-existing conditions or from undisclosed health information. If a participant is unable to continue due to health reasons, lack of required equipment, or behavior that compromises safety, the organizers reserve the right to remove them from the activity. In such cases, the organizers’ responsibility is limited to assisting with safe return where reasonably possible and contacting emergency services if necessary. Any related costs (e.g. rescue, transport) are the participant’s responsibility.
The organizers reserve the right to modify the program, schedule, or locations if necessary due to weather, safety concerns, local regulations, or other circumstances beyond their control. Any changes will aim to preserve the overall nature and quality of the experience.
An invoice or receipt will be issued after the completion of the tour for the total amount paid.
Official updates from the organizers will be sent via email (info@starlight-adventures.com) and/or the group chat.
Cancellations must be requested via email. A cancellation is considered valid only after you receive written confirmation from the organizers.
“Remaining amount” refers to the total tour price minus any non-refundable costs already paid on the participant’s behalf (e.g. accommodation, permits, hut fees).
Until Sunday, May 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM EET
From Monday, June 1, 2026 at 12:00 AM EET onward
No refund is available unless the participant’s place is filled by another person. In that case, 50% of the remaining amount will be refunded.
In case of cancellation within the last 48 hours due to exceptional circumstances, the organizers reserve the right to retain documented, non-refundable expenses already incurred.
The tour will take place only if a minimum of 8 participants is reached. If this number is not met, all payments will be refunded minus the non-refundable expenses.
constantine themelis
Founder, astrophotographer, photo tour guide, sigma & f-stop gear ambassador
