Knossos and Lassithi plateau

EXPLORE THE MOUNTAINOUS LANDSCAPE OF EASTERN CRETE - LASSITHI PLATAEU THE BIRTHPLACE OF ZEUS AND THE PALACE OF KNOSSOS

This is a combined tour option to maximize the experience and explore as much as possible while on the island. Starting from your hotel, we recommend a relaxing day to enjoy the scenic drive towards the plateau of Lassithi. The mountain range, where according to mythology, the father of the ancient Gods was born, the mighty Zeus … Nowadays 6000 inhabitants live in the area, mainly occupied in agriculture but also welcoming the guests, that choose to explore the area.

The island of Crete is 67 % mountainous and this tour offers the opportunity to explore the mountains of Lassithi and admire the local landscape.

Starting from Heraklion , we will explore the eastern mountainous area of Lassithi. We will have the chance to taste the olive oil in a modern facility – Olive oil press and see the procedure of producing olive oil.  We will continue towards the mountains of Lassithi , drive through Krasi village and see the amazingly big plane tree and the Venetian cisterns. We will continue toward Kera Monastery for a guided tour in the Byzabtine church.  We will drive towards the windmills and stop for pictures , to admire once again the Venetian architecture.

We will enter the plateau and we will see the windmills, that the locals used after WWII , in order to pump the water and irrigate their fields . We will visit a ceramic workshop and we will end up at a nice tavern to enjoy a snack and taste the amazing products the plateau offers.  ( snack is included ).

A visit to one of the ceramic workshops is also a must !!

An amazing opportunity to explore the mountainous landscape of eastern Crete .

The cost of the tour is 680 euro 3 pax minimum and plus 90 euro per person up to 7.

(snack is included / entrance fees are not included ) Starting point is Heraklion area

Transportation, snack offered during the tour, guiding services of a professional licensed English speaking guide, all taxes and VAT24 % is included in the total cost.

For a larger group , you may contact us to make arrangements for a mini bus or a bus , depending on the number of participants.

Cost : The cost of the tour is 680  euro and refers to the cost of the guide for a private tour for up to 3 pax. ( with all taxes and  24% VAT included)

Duration  of the tour : Estimate the  duration to a full day tour , starting from Heraklion ( 8- 9 h)

Stops / Highlights :

Olive oil facility and tasting

Krasi village phot stop

Monastery of Kera ( Byzantine frescoes)

Windmills Photo stop

Ceramic workshop

Short stop for a snack (included)

Drive to Knossos (guided tour of the palace)

Group capacity: Maximum participants  per group / booking up to 3  pax . For a larger group, you can add the extra participants – 90 euro per person

Larger groups :  If you are a larger group / family / friends travelling together, you can contact us for  a tailor made tour according  to your needs.

Important : The stops might be in a different sequence – ideally to avoid the crowds . We usually visit Knossos in the afternoon to avoid cruise ships and organized groups

The tour includes

  • Guiding services of a professional English speaking guide
  • Transportation with our company SUV ( for up to 3 participants ) and with our company van ( for up to 7 participants)
  • All taxes and VAT 24%, invoice provided by our Travel Agency
  • Snack offered during the tour is included
  • Guided tour of Kera monastery and Knossos palace included

The tour does not include

  • Entrance fees are not included – optional if you choose to enter a site .
  • Lunch is not included
  • Entrance fees of the Kera monastery (3 euro)  and Knossos palace ( 20 euro ) are not included – We can arrange skip the line entry to avoid lines
  • Gratuities and personal expenses are not included

Our tour is conducted by a licensed guide / archaeologist