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Historical Combo Tour: Knossos Palace, Lasithi Plateau and Cave of Zeus

4.3

15 Ratings

Heraklion

Embark on a historical combo tour of Knossos Palace, Lasithi Plateau, and Cave of Zeus. Explore ancient ruins, traditional villages, and learn about Cretan culture and craftsmanship.

Duration: 10 hours

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

Heraklion - We will start collecting participants from pick-up points in the morning.
Depending on the place of your hotel/apartment the bus ride will differ.
Krasi - We will visit the little traditional village Krasi with its beautiful freshwater springs and the oldest tree on Crete, for about 20’.
Kera Kardiotissa Monastery - It will take us 10 minutes to arrive by bus to the historical site of Kera Monastery, where we will spend for about 30’.
Monastery of Panagia Vidiani - The bus drive from Kera to the Monastery of Vidiani in almost 10’ where you can enjoy the views of cretan countryside. We will stop for a visit at the Monastery for about 25’.
Cave of Diktaion Andron - Bus Drive to Dikteon Cave: 20’
We will visit the Cave of Zeus for about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
The mythical birth place of the king of gods Zeus, decorated with impressive stalactites and stalagmites.
Lassithi Plateau - Our participants will attend a Traditional Cretan Workshop for about 45’. They will experience how traditional products like olive oil, wine and raki are produced and how ceramics are made.
Lassithi Plateau - Lunch at a traditional Tavern.
We will stay there for 1 hour and 20 minutes.
There will be a big variety of traditional dishes made from local products of the Lassithi Plateau, homemade wine and meats from the surrounding mountains.
Heraklion - Bus Drive from Lasithi to the Minoan Palace will take almost 1 hour and 20 minutes, depending of traffic.
The Palace of Knossos - As soon as we arrive, our participants will enter the Archaeological Site with our Representative in order to attend a Guided Tour for about 1 hour and then enjoy some free time to take photos and admire the historic Minoan place.
ENTRANCE FEE: 15€
Heraklion - Embarkation in the buses and drive back to the hotels where we gathered participants in the morning.
Depending on traffic and on the pick-up places of each one, the time of journey back to the hotel will differ.

What's Included

Liability Insurance Coverage by ALLIANZ for our tour participants
In-vehicle air conditioning
Professional Driver
Tour Guide
All fees and/or taxes

What's Not Included

Knossos Palace Entrance: 15€
Lunch

Additional Information

This excursion offers the chance to discover multiple historical sites in two distinct regions, all in a single day! Embark on a journey that will take you to locations on the Lassithi Plateau such as the ancient Cave of Zeus and the Kera Monastery, and the notable Minoan Palace of Knossos in Heraklion!

You’ll make a trip to the quaint village of Krasi and further into the day, you’ll participate in a workshop to learn more about Cretan Ceramics and the production of local beverages and olive oil on the island.

Your day will proceed in an authentic Cretan tavern where a scrumptious local lunch will be arranged for our party (not covered in the cost).

To top off the tour, you will be captivated by the Archaeological Site of Knossos, a palace that was the heart of Minoan civilisation and culture.

Location

Heraklion

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

4.3

(15 Ratings)

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Judyeng138

May 31, 2024

Full day of fun! - Full day of fun! Tour guide was friendly and informative of all the sites. Be ready to climb up the hill to the entrance of the Cave of Zeus and down into the abyss. Visited a monastery & outdoor laundry area. Had a delicious lunch at the Olive Mill. Finished the tour at Knossos Palace.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Guidoviaggiatore7

Oct 24, 2023

Very good day trip - Very interesting and informative tour: well organised and our guide (Soula), very prepared, was able to keep attention and interest for the entire day. Really recommended

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Claire

Oct 18, 2023

Scenic & Historical packed day - Very enjoyable day. Our guide had a colourful outfit (easy to spot in a large group) and equally beight personality, brought the tour to life. Very knowledgeable about the area's history, very passionate which was great. The day is full andwell organised, the cave visit happens early in the day before it gets too busy. The stop at the resraurant is lovely orders of authentic Greek food is taken and served quicky. The local cats are so cute coming round for treats but well trained as they don't jump on tables as you may expect. The various stops and times to get back other coach are well timed, not too short or too long Great day out if you want to maximise the things to visit in the area

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Leah

Aug 3, 2023

Zeus,Labyrinths, Minotaur and more - Amazing and informative tour of various historical sites on Crete. First stop of the big attractions is the caves where Zeus was ( mythologically speaking ) born and raised,there is quite a walk to get up to the entrance here and it is steep and all uphill ( there are Donkey up if you wish to use these ). If the caves are not for you, there is also a mythological museum with an audio guide covering interesting aspects of greek mythology and philosophy. ( not included in tour price) at the far end of the coach park and many cafes to relax in and admire the view over the Lathsiti Plateau . Halavro, just at the bottom of the road up to the caves, is an amazing spot , very relaxed ,lovley staff, and the most refreshing juices to drink! A couple of monasteries are also on the visit and are worth it, each with their own historical figures and stories. Lathsiti Plateau is your next visit with lunch stop at a lovley little family run taverna ( you pay extra for this). The food is amazing. Knossos Palace is the last of your 'big' stops. This is the place in which the legendary Minatour was imprisoned( ticket price not included in tour price) . Our guide for this was really knowledgeable regarding the mionian civilization who originally built this palace , the features they built in ( some we would consider to be modern ideas) and about the excervation and restoration of the Palace. This is a very enjoyable day out if you like a bit of history, enjoy greek mythology.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Lut_d

May 19, 2024

Highlights of Heraklion part of Crete - I did this excursion last week with an excellent and calm guide Nektar… (sorry difficult Greek name) and experienced cool driver Nikos. It is not easy to drive in the arrow streets with opposite drivers, balcony’s at low height, small turns, etc. With a bus. Pick up hour on point. Excursion time starts when all passengers are picked up. Nektar knows a lot of history, mythology, habits, all sort of information. It was a nice excursion. I didn’t go to the Zeus cave because you have to walk up hill and didn’t have the right shoes. It can be slippery , shoes with a grip are best needed. You can go uphill with a donkey but as an animal lover I don’t want to do this!!! You can enjoy to eat or drink juices… in the different taverns, visit the souvenirshops, walk in the surroundings, photograph the donkeys… instead. The stop in the little town with the oldest tree could be better 10 minutes longer and I would have liked to have a photograph stop at the entrance of the Lasithi Plateau, at the old windmills… (the views you see on postcards…). The Monastery: the inside is what you expect, maybe there are more beautiful ones to visit. The visit of the olive mill farm of the friendly Lyrakis family in Sissi was interesting but you don’t go to the trees. I would have liked this. Ofcourse it wasn’t the growing or harvest season for olives. Luckily Nektar had explained a bit of the olives in the bus. The olive oil is excellent. You can taste all sort of oil and olives. You can’t leave without buying some. If you don’t like olive oil you haven’t taste the good oils of this farm! I bought Sitia, double extra and oil with flavors orange choco. You have to pay extra for the buffet lunch: € 15 but it isn’t obliged. Last stop: Knossos palace. You can’t miss this if you travel to Crete and best with a professional guide as Nektar.

Review provided by Viator

Stephen_b

Jun 23, 2023

Superb tour guides - A great chance to explore. Beautiful caves. Knowledgeable tour guide. Not enough time at knossos but a good taster

Review provided by Viator

Roisc738

Apr 23, 2024

Untrustworthy company - Terrible company. Cancelled the tour at last minute and said they told our hotel. Hotel confirmed no messages. Only one element of the tour was closed, they could have proceeded with other sites and not ruined the day.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Johnl999

Sep 24, 2023

Cramped upper deck and terrible stairs to it. - Thought we were going on a coach, but waht arrived was a double decker bus, or really a deck and a bit. No forward facing seats left downstairs. Upstairs was was very low I had to stoop to walk along the aisle and banged my head several times getting into the seat / on the stairs. So did many other people. The stairs were extremely steep. I would class then as perilously so. Ascesning and descing these so tires my wife that she could not face going round Knossos wehn we go there. At knossos I could not follow what the guide said via the hearing device. I told the guide but he just turned up the volume and said it would be OK. Still could not tell what he was saying. If you are over 5ft 9 - pick another company.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

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up to 15 guests

1 Adult