Visit the most famous and popular of all the attractions in Crete, the Palace of Knossos. Join your expert guide on a journey back of 5000 years into myths and legends and learn secrets of the oldest civilisation in Europe, the Minoan. Enjoy a guided tour of the historical site that covers an area of 22.000 m2 on 5 floors with 1.300 rooms, hear all about the legendary labyrinth and the Minotaur (the half-human monster). This day brings history and legend back to life and is a must see on any visit to Crete.
After our visit to Knossos, our first stop on the scenic route towards central Crete is the Monastery of “Kera Kardiotissa”. It is dedicated to Virgin Mary; it is run by nuns and is locally known as Little Lourdes, with people making pilgrimages to pray for relief from their sins.
Then we drive south and reach the Plateau of Lassithi, which may have been the crater of an ancient volcano. It numbers nearly ten thousand windmills. The Plateau is a wonderfully cool and fertile area where you will see small towns and a very warm welcome. Here we will have a short stop to visit the Monastery “Vidiani” which is dedicated to Zoodohos Pigi (The life giving spring). The monastery hosts a small natural history museum, in collaboration with the University of Crete.
After the lunch break in one of the local villages in Lassithi, we will visit the Dicti Cave where Zeus, the father of Greek Gods, was born.
While crossing the villages of the Plateau, we pay a short visit at a traditional potter’s factory, seeing an ancient ceramic art, which completes today more than 8.000 years of history. Leaving the Plateau we will see the views down to Pediada Plain which are truly magnificent. A short photo-stop will complete the day in a perfect way.
Indicative Time-Table:
09.30 Arrival at Kera
11.30 Arrival at Psychro and visiting the Cave
13:15 Arrival at Tzermiado and food stop
14:15 Arrival at Knossos
16:30 Departure from Knossos
17.00 Arrival at Heraklion
Price per person: 40 €
Every Monday and Thursday
From April to October
09.30 Arrival at Kera
Hotel pick-up and drop-off (Pick up mainly from hotels at Amoudara, Malia, Hersonissos, Anissaras, Analipsi, Gouves, Kokkini Hani and Heraklion city center is provided. If pick up from your hotel is not possible you will be picked up from the closest pick up point. In case you don’t know the closest pickup point, please contact us).
