Combined Guided Tour To Lasithi Plateau & Knossos Palace

Kera Kardiotissa Monastery, is an Orthodox nunnery dedicated to Virgin Mary, situated near the village of Kera at an altitude of 650m. It is famous for the icon of Mary believed to be miraculous. It is surrounded by fortified walls and the church features murals dating back to 14th - 15th century.

The Dikteon Cave is just above the village of Psychro at 1025 meters altitude. According to Greek mythology, it is believed to be the place where Zeus, the father of Greek gods, was kept and fed from Amalthia, a goat, in secret to be protected from his father. The cave for centuries was considered a sacred place of cult worship, where offerings were made and few were allowed to enter. The most impressive sight is the lake at the lowest point, surrounded by massive stalactites and stalagmites.

Driving around the Lasithi Plateau that lies in an area of 130 km², we are going to reach Seli Ambelou at the northern entrance of the plateau. The place is overlooking a panoramic view of the plateau. In the 1950s and 1960s the plateau was one of Europe's first wind farms. There were about 16 thousand windmills pumping the groundwater, which the inhabitants used to feed their crops.Stop at Seli Ambelou for a lunch break.

The tour will then be heading to the village of Krasi. Krasi, is a small traditional village located 9 km to the south of the village of Malia set on the slope of Selena mountain. In the center of the village, there is a huge ancient plane tree ("Platanus"). The leaves and the branches of the tree provide with shade all over the square in a unique and unspoiled environment. The water springs and the fountains of the village are one of the most beautiful on the island of Crete.

Knossos palace is the capital of Minoan civilization, just 5km away on the south of Heraklion town. It is the largest of the preserved Minoan palatial centers on the island. Walk through it with your guide and find out how people lived 4.000 years ago, people that are believed to be the first Europeans, lived as an organized community in Crete and the center of their civilization the Palace itself. The Throne Room, the frescoes, the Minoan Columns, the water management will stimulate your imagination on how the organized community of the Minoans was living on the island back then.