The Palace of Knossos and Visit of Traditional Village of Arolithos

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Hassle-free

Cancellation

4 hours (approx.)

Private Tour

Moderate

Sightseeing/City Tour Archaeological/Cultural Wildlife/Nature Skip The Line

Overview

This tour works well for both cruise and hotel guests. Your driver/guide welcomes you and you will board your private transportation for this half day tour. Settle in, ready to enjoy what Crete has to offer!

Crete's fertile soil and towering peaks witnessed the development of one of the earliest recorded civilizations on earth, the Minoan. Knossos was the court of the legendary King Minos, whose wife Pasiphae gave birth to the Minotaur, half-bull, half-man. The excavations on the site were begun by the English archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans and his team in 1893 and lasted 35 years.

Entering the Great Palace through the West Court, one can easily understand why the legend of the labyrinth grew up here. It takes about one hour and a half to walk around the site and explore all the parts of the Palace. During this walking tour you may admire the superb Royal Quarters the Throne room with an Antechamber and main throne and the Queen's Quarters whose wall above the entrance door is decorated with a copy of the famous dolphin frescos. Apart from the Royal Palace there are also other buildings included in the site such as the Small Palace, the House of the High Priest and the Caravanserai.

Your tour continues with a visit to the very interesting and traditional settlement of Arolithos. In this village you will have the opportunity to see how people used to live in the past. There is a museum in the village, which displays the equipment people used in their numerous tasks during the day.

Enjoy walking through the narrow, colorful alleys of the village as you arrive at the main square of the village. Here, under the shade of a plane tree you will taste various Greek snacks and the local spirit RAKI. After your welcoming refreshments, you may stroll around the narrow streets of Arolithos and get acquainted with the typical life of a Cretan village. At the end of your tour, you will be returned to your cruise port or hotel.

What's Included

Air conditioned vehicle
Pick up/drop off from cruise pier or hotel
English speaking guide
All entrance fees
Refreshments and a light snack at Arolithos
The Great Palace
Small Palace
House of the High Priest
Caravanserai
Arolitos village

Considerations

Food and beverages.
There is a supplement to add to your shopping cart if your tour is on a Sunday or a bank holiday.
Hotel guests can be picked up, if staying in Heraklion city limits. Guests staying outside of the city, please contact Venture Ashore for pricing.
This tour can accommodate guests in collapsible wheelchair/scooter but Knossos Palace and Arolithos Village are only partially accessible by wheelchair/scooter.
Bring cash and/or credit card for any additional purchases on the day.
Gratuities/Tips are not included in your tour, if you would like to leave a tip, please bring cash.

Special Instructions

Comfortable walking shoes are required.
Wear cool and comfortable clothes.
Bring your sunglasses, sunscreen, sunhat and water bottle. This tour can get unseasonably hot, recommend drinking plenty of water.
There is a supplement to add to your shopping cart if your tour is on a Sunday or a bank holiday.
This tour can accommodate guests in collapsible wheelchair/scooter but Knossos Palace and Arolithos Village are only partially accessible by wheelchair/scooter.
Bring your camera to capture wonderful memories of your time ashore!

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup and Dropoff at the Cruise Port Included.

Hassle-free

Cancellation

4 hours (approx.)

Private Tour

Moderate

The Palace of Knossos and Visit of Traditional Village of Arolithos

Overview

What's Included

Considerations

Special Instructions

Meeting and Pickup

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Price Info

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