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Cretan Lifestyle Tour: History, Gastronomy, and Culture
5.0
3 Ratings
Hersonissos
Immerse yourself in the authentic local lifestyle of Crete with this private tour from Heraklion. Explore the world-famous Palace of Knossos and indulge in the unspoiled Cretan landscape, flavors, and village life. Enjoy VIP treatment with personal pick-up and drop-off.
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Heraklion Prefecture - Your day trip will start with a personal pick-up by your private driver with a premium-class vehicle on disposal, at any convenient time of the day. Every detail for your maximum comfort and privacy will be assured during the day.
- The Palace of Knossos - The first stop of the itinerary will be at the Palace of Knossos where your archaeology-specialized private guide will guide you to the majestic Minoan monument by exploring the depths of the oldest civilization in Europe. You will find inspiration from the legends of King Minos and the Minotaur, the palatial labyrinth, and the iconic artwork.
- Skalani - Then, you will explore the authentic Cretan village of Skalani which is famously rich for its local olive and vineyard products as well as the off-the-beaten-path eateries and traditional local delicacies. Just outside the village, a short stroll will take you to a quintessentially local award-winning winery Boutari. At this Cretan winery, which dates back to 1879, your local insider guide will acquaint you with the harmony of nature and human labor which is dedicated to the organic production of high-quality Cretan wines. Not to mention the experience of the full flight of winetasting, perfectly paired with local delicacies such as a handpicked selection of charcuterie and cheese.
- Melidoni - Next, you will experience a journey to the authentic West Crete by visiting the Venetian village of Melidoni. Just not far from the village, together with your local insider guide, you will explore the Melidoni Cave a place of worship of the Minoan worshipers of the mythical bronze giant of Crete, Talos.
- Ancient Lappa - Your village-hopping will continue for a Cretan lunch in the village of Argyroupolis with its fresh-water springs, breezy waterfalls, old mills, and the ancient lush green landscape. This itinerary stop is dedicated to your authentic gastronomic experience. You will taste delicious Cretan recipes with deep roots and experience bottomless Cretan hospitality. In addition, you will have the opportunity to explore the ancient city of Lappa, on which the village of Argyroupolis was built, where ancient baths and basilicas with mosaics are still preserved.
- Hersonissos - A potential region of your personal pick up and drop off.
- Anissaras - A potential region of your personal pick up and drop off.
- Analipsi - A potential region of your personal pick up and drop off.
- Gouves - A potential region of your personal pick up and drop off.
- Kokkini Hani - A potential region of your personal pick up and drop off.
- Heraklion - A potential region of your personal pick up and drop off.
- Agia Pelagia - A potential region of your personal pick up and drop off.
- Fodele - A potential region of your personal pick up and drop off.
- Bali - A potential region of your personal pick up and drop off.
What's Included
- VIP skip-the-line access & assistance with purchasing admission tickets
- Assistance with the best restaurant recommendations & reservations
- Exclusive insider-access opportunities & details tailored to your interests
- Private local guides with expert knowledge of Crete
- Flexible personal pick-up & drop-off service
- Private expert guide specialized in art, history, & archeology
- Concierge support available before & throughout your day trip
- Travel in a premium chauffeured vehicle
- Vehicle equipped with mineral water, Cretan fruits & snacks, Wi-Fi, USB sockets, & hygiene amenities
What's Not Included
- Drinks and meals
- Admission fees
- Wine tasting expenses (if requested)
Additional Information
We have designed this unforgettable trip to submerge you into an authentic way of life in one of the island’s most beautiful regions while gaining a deeper understanding of the relationship between history, stunning escapes, gastronomy, and the authentic Cretan local lifestyle.
You will also visit the world-famous Palace of Knossos, where your expert guide will ensure skip-the-line access to all archaeological areas, key pieces of information, and extra-personalized attention.
Then, from the history and cultural experience, you will be immersed in another time wandering the unspoiled Cretan landscape along with authentic layers of flavors, wines, and village life of the island of Crete.
Enjoy personal pick-up and drop-off with a premium vehicle at your full-day disposal, like a true VIP.
Location
Hersonissos
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(3 Ratings)
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1 star
Sierra_l
May 21, 2024
The perfect way to explore Heraklion and the surrounding areas - This tour was the perfect way to explore the area around Heraklion, and Nikos gave great recommendations for what we should do with our time that worked for our whole family. We got to enjoy the Palace of Knossos and Caves of Zeus, but still relax and enjoy a wine tasting at a long-standing vineyard and lunch at a delicious local restaurant. We highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Liveyoungtravel
Sep 18, 2023
Authentic and very informative. Exactly what we had hoped for and more! - This tour was top notch. The locations were beautiful and historical, and our guide, Ioannis was exceptional. Her knowledge of the area and the personal stories were just what we had hoped for.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Suzeb55
May 5, 2023
Great experience - This was very interesting for those who have read books pertaining to Greek history or archaeology. However I found being in a group restrictive and during the course of the tour many people just went at their own pace. There was so many groups here I am not sure how it would be during peak holiday season. It was very informative and thoroughly enjoyable experience.
We didn’t tour the museum however we found a leisurely lunch and shopping in Herakalion was more suitable
Review provided by Tripadvisor
