After meeting your professional guide on the pier, you will depart from Aghios Nikolaos port and drive along the northeast coast to Toplou, approximately 90 minutes away. Here you will visit one of the most important Monasteries in Crete, and the only surviving monastery in the Sitia area- all the others were destroyed by war and pirate raids. It is built on a rugged plateau and its architecture resembles a castle because throughout history it had to defend itself from pirates and various invaders. It was founded in the 15th-century but was destroyed during the earthquake of 1612. The Venetians rebuilt it but it was destroyed again during the Turkish occupation. During your visit, you can admire the exquisite collection of icons and engravings. The site has three floors, which are divided into cells, guest houses, kitchens, the abbot’s residence, and warehouses. The monastery’s characteristic bell tower bears relief crowns and crosses with inscriptions and the date 1558.

You will continue to one of the most beautiful beaches of Crete- the beach of Vai, famous for its palm forest located right on the beach. It is the largest palm forest in Crete. This beautiful beach, discovered by a few hippies in the ’70s, has become one of the island’s biggest attractions. During a stop for approximately one hour, you will have free time to enjoy swimming or just gazing out at the beautiful sea from your included beach chair.

Then, it’s off to Sitia a small, quiet port town of architectural importance. The history of Sitia originates in prehistoric times as the palace of Zakros (1900 B.C.). The city has endured many misfortunes, including an earthquake in 1508, the invasion of the Turkish Admiral Barbarosa in 1538, and the destruction by the Venetians during their invasion in 1651. Today, you will find it a quiet seaside town that is not overrun with tourism. Here, you will stop for lunch in a nice waterfront tavern. After lunch, you will drive back to Agios Nikolaos, approximately 90 minutes away.

After meeting your professional guide on the pier, you will depart Heraklion and begin the approximate 90-minute drive to the eastern end of the island and the Plateau of Lassithi, one of the high points of Crete, both in altitude and atmosphere. From your viewpoint, you will see that the area is unique; a green carpet hemmed in on all sides by the Diktean Mountains, which are often snowcapped into April. The picturesque windmills work regularly to water the fertile plain which covers an area of more than nine square miles. Excavations of the area have revealed signs of inhabitants since Neolithic times (6,000 B.C.). The plateau was formed by the Minoans and later by the Dorians of Lyttos. In 1293 A.D., due to resistance and rebellions from the neighboring areas, the Venetians forced everyone out, demolished the villages, set up guard around the passes, and did not allow anyone into the area for more than two centuries. Only in 1543 did they allow Greek refugees from the Turkish-occupied Peloponnese to resettle the plateau. To reestablish the orchards, the Venetians built an elaborate drain and watering system that was powered by more than 10,000 white-sailed irrigation windmills. Although most of them have been abandoned for modern diesel and electrical pumps, the few remaining ones still create a most intriguing photographic scene.

You will then drive to the village of Psychro to visit the birthplace of Zeus; the Diktean Cave. In myth, this is where Rhea, goddess of the earth, hid Zeus after his birth to protect him from Cronus, who had a bad habit of eating children. The cave was used by the Minoans, and numerous objects have been found from this period. The largest chamber of the cave has spectacular stalactites, stalagmites, and the Cloak of Zeus rock formation.

Next stop is the Lasinthos Eco Park, where the Cretan traditions, culture, manners, and customs of the region are preserved. Also, the rare flora and fauna of the region, the Cretan cuisine, and Cretan traditional products are protected and promoted. The park consists of a farm where you can see many of the animals of Crete in their natural settings such as the Cretan Kri-kri; as well as a village where workshops demonstrate and produce local products such as wine, honey, cheese, sweet delicacies, ceramics, and raki. During your visit to the village, you will be offered a glass of raki the Cretan schnapps, and a variety of local meze (snacks) made from ingredients from the farm. After your visit, you will return to the pier.

After meeting your professional guide on the pier, you will depart the town of Agios Nikolaos and head towards the town of Heraklion, approximately 70 minutes away. South of Heraklion, you will come upon one of Crete’s finest archaeological sites, Knossos, the ancient capital of the great king Minos and the largest and most spectacular of Minoan Palaces.

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.

You will take a private tour of the Palace of Knossos ruins that consist of four wings, spread out from a central court, a complex that once served as the administrative and religious center for the whole region. As you tour the labyrinthine site, you will see the royal living quarters, rooms where state occasions were held, a theater area, storerooms, workshops as well as indoor plumbing from more than 3,000 years ago.

You will then travel to the center of Heraklion for a short walking tour of the old town and the fountain of Morosini. From here, you will rejoin your transportation for the return drive to Agios Nikolaos.