Minoan Crete: Knossos Palace, Winery Visit and Lunch at Peza Village

Private Tour: Knossos Palace, Winery Experience & Traditional Meal in Archanes

Duration: ~7-8 hours

Pick-up Locations: Rethymno, Elounda, Agios Nikolaos, Heraklion Prefecture

Starting Times: 08:30, 09:00, 09:30, 10:00

Exclusions:

Knossos Palace entrance tickets (guests must purchase separately)

Certified Guide for Knossos Palace (optional, available upon request for an additional cost)

📍 Itinerary Overview:

1️⃣ Pick-up & Scenic Drive to Knossos Palace

Guests will be picked up from their accommodation in Rethymno, Elounda, Agios Nikolaos, or the Heraklion region in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle.

Drive duration varies based on the pick-up point: Rethymno → ~1hr 30min

Elounda/Agios Nikolaos → ~1hr 15min

Heraklion → ~20-30min

Enjoy a scenic ride through the Cretan countryside with insights about Crete’s history, culture, and landscapes.

2️⃣ Visit to Knossos Palace (Self-Guided or with Optional Guide)

Estimated Time: ~1.5 hours

Arrive at Knossos Palace, the heart of Minoan civilization and Crete’s most famous archaeological site.

Guests explore at their own pace (self-guided) or opt for a licensed guide for a more immersive experience (available upon request).

Walk through ancient corridors, royal chambers, and storied frescoes, uncovering myths of King Minos and the legendary Minotaur.

Important: Entry tickets are not included; guests must purchase them online in advance or at the site.

3️⃣ Local Winery Experience – Winery & Cellar Tour + Guided Wine Tasting

Estimated Time: ~1.5 hours

A short drive (~25-30 min) takes us to a renowned local winery in the Peza or Archanes wine region.

Enjoy a winery and cellar tour, learning about Crete’s winemaking traditions, grape varieties, and production process.

Guided wine tasting of 5 indigenous Cretan wine varieties such as Vidiano, Vilana, Dafni, Thrapsathiri, and Liatiko, accompanied by local rusks and cheese.

Guests can purchase wines directly from the winery as a souvenir.

4️⃣ Traditional Cretan Meal in Archanes Village

Estimated Time: ~1.5-2 hours

Head to a traditional, undisclosed local venue in Archanes, a charming village famous for its authentic Cretan hospitality.

Enjoy a full-course Cretan meal, featuring: Seasonal appetizers (dakos, stuffed vine leaves, local cheeses)

Main course (slow-cooked meal, vegetarian options available)

Local wine and raki

Traditional desserts (loukoumades or spoon sweets)

5️⃣ Return Transfer to Your Accommodation

After a leisurely meal, guests will be driven back to their original pick-up location.

Drive durations depend on the destination: Heraklion → ~25-30 min

Elounda/Agios Nikolaos → ~1hr 15 min

Rethymno → ~1hr 30 min

ℹ️ Tour Information & Notes:

Tour Type: Private, small-group experience

Language: English (other languages upon request)

Accessibility: Moderate walking involved at Knossos Palace and the winery

Dress Code: Comfortable shoes, sun protection for summer months

Optional Add-ons: Certified guide for Knossos Palace

Special dietary accommodations (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)