Knossos and its treasures

When: Year round, except national celebrations and Greek official holidays.
Languages: Knossos and its treasures English, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Italian, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Slovak, Serbian, Finnish, Swedish, Turkish,
Duration: Seven hours.
Meeting Point: Heraklion: Liberty Square; or, upon request, pick up and drop off at your hotel.
Dress Code: Casual; comfortable walking shoes; sunblock.
Including: Transportation back and forth from Heraklion; full services of an officially qualified tourist guide; admission fees to Knossos and Heraklion Museum and bottled water.
Food:
Walking difficulty: Moderate: mostly flat surfaces and pathways; some uneven terraces and stairs at Knossos, where wheel chairs can access only half the site. The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is wheel chair accessible.
Rest rooms/WC: Yes.

We will visit Knossos, the largest and most famous of the Minoan palaces, the home of the mythical King Minos and the monster Minotaur, a multi-acre complex of royal apartments, elaborate staircases, storage and craft areas, the first European theater, and a throne room with the original Bronze Age throne. Replicas of many frescoes grace the site. The originals are in the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, the next stop on this tour.

A walking tour of Heraklion, Crete’s largest city, is a must on this tour. Crete’s largest city abounds with buildings, monuments, and churches that bear witness to its centuries-old history, among them Morozini Fountain, the Venetian Loggia, Aghios Minas, St. Titus Church, and the Historical Museum.

Next we visit the nearby estate of the Boutari Winery to learn about growing grapes and making wine the world-famous Boutari way and to taste the finished products of the fruits of their vineyards.