The Palace of Knossos                 
By air-conditioned motor coach / foot     
Duration: 3 hours

Enjoy a drive from the Venetian lion-guarded port of Heraklion town to Knossos (approximately 30 minutes), once the capital city of the ancient Minoan civilization, and thought to be the basis for the original Labyrinth housing the mythological Minotaur.
Follow your guide in order to visit a portion of the excavated and partially reconstructed Palace of King Minos, and the surrounding area.
The Palace houses the Hall of the Royal Guard, decorated with frescoes and shields, the Hall of the Double Axes, the King's Chamber - with the alabaster throne amidst paintings of griffins and lilies, and the Queen's Apartment adorned with murals of dolphins and spirals, a reminder of the legend of the Labyrinth. Also view the beautiful courtyards & shrines.
Return to your motor coach and drive to the city of Heraklion where you will have free time to browse for souvenirs of this unique island.
Afterwards, return to the port by your motor coach in time for ship's departure.

PLEASE NOTE!
 The King's Chamber and the Queen's Apartment maybe closed due to temporary restoration.

Panoramic Heraklion & Wine Tasting              
By air-conditioned motor coach / foot      
Duration: 4 hours

Your tour begins from the Venetian lion-guarded port of Heraklion and having a scenic drive through the city to the famous wine producing of Peza, south of Heraklion.
Enjoy a leisurely drive through rugged countryside with olive groves and vineyards dating back to Minoan times.
Your first stop is a modem winery were you will see the updated procedures of wine making and sample some of the delicious Cretan wines.
Your drive continues through rural villages to the village of Archanes, the municipality in the area. On the way a photo stop will be made at Vathypetro to view the site of a farmhouse dating to the Minoan period 16th century BC which would have produced oil, wine and pottery.
Your tour continues through the island's hilly countryside where olive groves and vineyards have existed for 4,000 years.
Arriving to the quaint market town of Archanes, which is situated 10km south of the Palace of Knossos, you will see many restored sandstone houses dating from the Turkish period.
At a local tavern in the villages' tree-shaded square, you can sample an assortment of Cretan snacks and locally produced wine and meet some of the locals.
Enjoy free time to browse before the return drive to the port of Heraklion and your ship.