Private Group Tour Of Knossos And Boutari Winery
Private Group Tour of Knossos and Boutari Winery
Join a private group tour and visit two of Crete's treasures: the archeological site of Knossos and the award-winning Boutari Winery.
After meeting your professional guide on the pier, you will depart the commercial port area and drive through the town of Heraklion. Along the way, you will have glimpses of its bustling narrow pedestrian streets and market areas. South of Heraklion, you will come upon one of Crete's finest archaeological sites, Knossos. According to tradition it was the seat of legendary King Minos and is connected with thrilling legends such as the myth of the Labyrinth with the Minotaur and the story of Daidalos and Icaros. Join your expert guide on a journey into time and unlock the secrets of the Minoan civilization brought to light in the beginning of the 20th century by Sir Arthur Evans.
The original palace of Knossos was constructed around 1900 B.C., but a few hundred years later, an earthquake destroyed it. In its place, another palace was built on an even grander scale. In 1900, restoration, undertaken by Sir Arthur Evans, which was controversial at the time, offered great insight into the complexity of Minoan life nearly 4,000 years ago.
Your guided tour will take you through the amazing ruins of the ancient palace complex, which once served as the region's administrative and religious center. The partially restored palace covers more than 200,000 square feet and consists of four wings, spread out from a central court. As you tour the labyrinthine site, you will see the royal living quarters, rooms where state occasions were held, a theater area, storerooms and workshops, as well as indoor plumbing from more than 3,000 years ago.
Next, you will visit one of the best-equipped, state-of-the-art wineries in Europe. Here, you can enjoy a tour of the cellar, the production area and enjoy the impressive multimedia show which has gained major awards at international competitions. The winery is located in the viticultural zone of Archanes, a region documented for the production of wine in antiquity. Discovery of a grape press on Crete dates back to 1600 B.C.
At an altitude ranging between 550 and 700 feet, the privately owned vineyard is cultivated based on the principles of organic farming, hosting various Greek and international varieties. Planted on the northern side of the hill, the vineyard is protected from the hot summer wind from the south and benefits from the cool winds of the Cretan sea. After your tour, sample the wines of the estate before returning to the pier.
Please Note: This tour offers customized departure times between 7:30 AM and 7:00 PM. If your preferred departure time is not listed, please contact us to place your request.
- Wine
Shore Excursions Group was created with one goal in mind: to provide exceptional travel experiences to cruise passengers in the ports they visit around the world. To accomplish this, we have compiled an exceptional array of tours delivered by local experts with decades of experience serving travelers and delivering excellent tours. Our owners and management team are comprised of seasoned travel industry executives who leverage their considerable experience to deliver memorie ...
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