KNOSSOS AND A TASTE OF CRETE
Delve in to the Minoan Era and taste the local delicacies
This tour provides the opportunity to explore the palace of Knossos and then continue – after the guided tour of the palace to follow the Minoan path, close to Knossos palace and reach the sacred mountain of Youchtas
We will pick you up from your accommodation in Heraklion and drive towards Knossos palace – We will explore the palace and then continue towards the mountain Youchtas to admire the local landscape and after a short drive we will stop to a sophisticated, multi-purpose food-tasting and agritourism venue established by the Minoan Fruits group of companies. The setting-up of this venue embodies the vision of tradition, culture and local cuisine intertwined with respect for nature and environmental awareness. Modern and traditional activities are available on-site, including: tasting of authentic local products, live watching of the production, packaging and standardization process for fruits and vegetables, strolling through vineyards and olive groves, visits to the traditional Cretan farmhouse (‘’metόhi’’ in Greek), local food and drinks . During our time in the venue we will hear the history of the family that started the business, all the information about the process of making local traditional products, taste olive oil, snacks and hand made sweets.
The duration of the tour is approximately 6 hours and all snacks, tasting, food, drinks, transportation and local guide is included .
The tour is available for online booking three days per week, but can also be arranged upon request to match your needs. Ideally we propose, if one of the dates is not available, to contact us in order to search for the best alternative ( time and date ).
The service is provided with our company vehicles an SUV or a van for up to 7 pax.
Cost is 640 euro for 2 pax ( minimum 2 pax) plus 95 euro per person up to 7 participants. For a larger group kindly contact us to make arrangements ( for a mini bus of larger vehicle).
The entrance fees of Knossos are not included – but let us know the exact number of participants and we will be able to purchase the tickets in advance – to avoid any lines
For guests that wish to explore more and of course taste more, we can add a walking food tour of Heraklion or a wine tour and tasting in one of the amazing wineries of the area. ( cost will be arranged upon request )
Inclusions : Transportation with our company vehicles, guiding services, snacks, tasting of olive oil, all taxes and VAT 24%.
The snack includes Greek salad, stuffed vine leaves with yogurt, pepper in vinegar , tzatziki, meat balls with tomato sauce and aromatic herbs and garlic, Cretan rusk, local sweets as dessert, fruits and Raki .
Exclusions : Personal expenses and gratuities
Tickets of Knossos – please add the number of participants ( additional information – age and country of origin) to prearrange the right tickets and have them ready on the date of issue . Remember that for any reduced tickets you are solely responsible to provide the proper documentation (ID or passport)
Highlights close by – ideal for a photo stop
Vathypetro
Vathypetro, part of this tour program, lies few kilometres south of Archanes at the foot of the southern end of Mount Iuktas in Central Crete and was probably on the Minoan route from Knossos to the Messara plain in the south of the island. The site was excavated by S. Marinatos from 1949-53 and again in 1955-6. Since he intended to locate a local museum on the site the remains were reconstructed and modified, making it difficult for archaeologists to piece together the original structure of the buildings on the site. The Vathypetro complex was constructed around 1580 BCE at the beginning of the Late Minoan IA period and badly damaged around 1550 BCE, probably by an earthquake. The south sector of the building, which includes a wine press, was rebuilt as a farmhouse and industrial centre after the 1550 BCE destruction and was finally destroyed around 1470 BCE.
The Vathypetro complex is not an isolated, independent structure as it forms part of a small settlement stretching over three hills. Unfortunately the cultivation has destroyed the remains surrounding the site.
The site is open all year round and entrance is free. For visitors to Archanes it takes 5min drive (5 km) to see the indoor wine press and of course the amazing views of the Iuktas Mountain and the view to the south. If you choose to continue your private tour, and not to return to Heraklion you will find the Monastery of Panosifis nearby. The road continues further south to Pyrgos village and Messara valley.
Anemospilia
Another site you can chose to visit on your tour is Anemospilia, on the hill Iuktas, not far from Knossos and modern city of Heraklion. The site was excavated by J. Sakellarakis in 1979, and given its small size, turned out to be one of the most controversial excavations to have taken place in Crete.
The building is unusual for a Minoan site in that it is more symmetrical and less labyrinthine than most Minoan remains. The simple design consists of three rectangular rooms in a row, and a corridor or antechamber running the length of the three rooms to the north of the building. There is no other example of such a building from the Minoan-Mycenean periods.
The ‘temple’ was destroyed early in the 17th century BCE. It was almost certainly destroyed by earthquake, following which the lamps placed inside the shrine burnt whatever was flammable.
Among the finds were vases, pithoi (juge jars), mortars and pestles and tripod cooking pots. The pithoi would have stored various foodstuffs and woven cloth.
A detailed description of the excavations and finds at Anemospilia can be found in the guide book to Archanes by J. and E. Sakellarakis, published by Ekdotike Athenon, Athens 1991.
The site is now well fenced-in and not generally open to the public. However, a good view of the site can be had from the south fence and the views from the road of the north coast of Crete are spectacular. For the archaeologists or schools and colleges from abroad a permit from the local archaeological service can be issued upon request.
