Small Group: Knossos Palace, Olive Oil, Winery & Raki with Lunch at “Elia” Village

📍 Pickup from Fodele, Agia Pelagia, Lygaria, Amoudara, Heraklion, Karteros, Kokkini Hani, Gouves, Analipsi, Anissaras, Hersonissos, Koutouloufari, Piskopiano, Stalis, Malia

🕘 09:00 – Hotel Pickup & Welcome Drive

Your day begins with a pickup in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle. Our local driver-guide — more storyteller than chauffeur — will offer a brief overview of the day ahead as you drive through the heart of the Heraklion region. Expect a laid-back atmosphere, Cretan music playing softly, and the first smiles of the day.

🏛 09:30 – Arrival at Knossos Palace (Self-Guided Visit)

Knossos — a name that echoes through myth and history. This is where the legend of the Minotaur was born, where King Minos ruled, and where Minoan civilization flourished more than 3,500 years ago. You’ll have time to explore at your own pace:

• See the Throne Room, famous frescoes, and the Grand Staircase
• Admire the architectural ingenuity and ceremonial grandeur
• Visit the restored royal quarters, storerooms, and mysterious corridors that inspired the myth of the Labyrinth

📝 Entry ticket (€20) and official licensed guide not included — we can assist in bookings upon request.

🫒 11:00 – Olive Grove Farm Tour & Tasting

Next, we escape the tourist trail and head into the countryside. At a charming olive grove just outside the village of Skalani, you’ll be welcomed by the owners, real farmers with rough hands and warm hearts.

• Learn about ancient and modern techniques of olive oil production
• Walk among centuries-old trees and take in the aromatic scent of crushed olive leaves
• Enjoy a guided tasting: extra virgin olive oil, tapenade, sundried tomatoes, olives, and warm village bread dipped in liquid gold

This isn’t a showroom — this is how real Cretans live, work, and eat.

🍷🥃 12:30 – Winery & Raki Distillery Visit with Tastings

In the nearby village of Kounavoi, we arrive at a family-owned estate that masters both wine and raki.
Your experience includes:

• A scenic stroll through the vineyards
• A guided tour of the production area and cellars
• A tasting of 5 different wines, including rare local grapes like Vilana, Vidiano, and Mandilari
• A short distillation demo of tsikoudia (raki) with a sampling session of the finished product
• Small bites and meze to accompany your tastings — think graviera, paximadia, and spoon sweets

This is a place where raki flows like conversation, and both are smooth, strong, and unforgettable.

🍽 14:00 – Lunch at Archanes Village

Our final stop is the enchanting village of Archanes — a postcard-worthy settlement nestled in green hills.
Here, you’ll be treated to a traditional slow-cooked lunch in a family-run taverna known for doing things the old-fashioned way:

• Seasonal dishes like lamb with stamnagathi, stuffed vegetables, and chickpeas with lemon
• Local wine, raki, and homemade desserts like kalitsounia or xerotigana
• Views of bougainvillea-covered courtyards and time to stroll cobbled streets, if you wish

No rushing, no fuss — just the generous spirit of a Cretan table.

🚐 15:15 – Return Transfer

After lunch, we take the scenic route back. Expect to arrive at Heraklion Port at 15:30 and your accommodation by 16:00, with a full belly, a contented heart, and perhaps a bottle of olive oil or wine tucked in your bag.