About this experience
The island of Crete attracts travelers not only with its gentle sea, but also with mystical sights surrounded by myths and mysteries for thousands of years. Our trip is dedicated to the legends of ancient Greece associated with the island: you will visit the notorious Labyrinth of the Minotaur and the cave where the supreme Greek god Zeus was born. Additionally, you will see the famous miraculous icon at the Keramissa Monastery, taste Cretan cuisine, and stop at the most picturesque spots on the Lassithi Plateau to take beautiful photos and capture the natural beauty of Crete in your memory.
What to expect
The Legend of the Minotaur at the Knossos Palace
The Knossos Palace is a place that still captivates the minds of archaeologists worldwide and mesmerizes travelers with a fantastic atmosphere. You will walk through the ruins of the Minotaur's Labyrinth, exploring ancient structures designed by ancient architects on different levels of the palace. I will help you separate the myth of the Minotaur from the real history and tell you about the secrets that the palace of King Minos, ruler of Europe's first civilization, holds.
Journey to the Keramissa Monastery
Leaving the outskirts of Heraklion, we will head east on the island, to the center of the Dikti Mountains – here, at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level, you will be greeted with views of the beautiful Lassithi Plateau, one of the symbols of Crete's fertility. Along the way, we will visit the Orthodox Keramissa Monastery from the 14th century, which preserves a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary: you will hear the authentic story of the icon – resembling a myth but backed by facts.
Mysterious Zeus Cave
You will visit a place where the main myths of Ancient Greece originate – the cave where, according to legend, the thunder god Zeus was born. Descending to the cradle of the father of the Greek gods, you will examine mysterious stalactites, hear legends associated with the cave, and learn about its historical value. Before heading back, we can stop for lunch and enjoy delicious Greek cuisine: the Lassithi Plateau is one of the best places to try traditional Cretan dishes.
Organizational details
- Excursion is conducted by Toyota Avensis car.
- We recommend you bring a head covering, comfortable footwear, and clothing for visiting the monastery.
- Entrance tickets to Knossos Palace – 15 euros/person, entrance tickets to Zeus Cave – 6 euros/person (discounts available for children and students), lunch.
- Tour of the Knossos Palace grounds – 90 euros for 2 hours. This amount is paid if we visit the palace together; if you go independently, you only pay for entrance tickets.
- If you are not staying in the Heraklion area, but in the Lassithi or Rethymno regions, there is a small fuel surcharge – 20 euros.
- For groups of 4 to 7 people, there is an additional charge of 250 euros, from 7 to 15 with a guide and driver – 350 euros.
Additional expenses
