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Zakros Tours - Crete Excursion Program 2008
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Below is a list of excursions you can book through Zakros Tours. We are capable of arranging
excursions with our company's busses for individuals or organised groups, depending on your
needs.
Apart from the tours listed below we can tailor excursions upon special request, arrange for
group transfers or transportation in Crete.
Knossos - Museum
Cretan Night
West Crete
East Crete
Chrissi Island
Spinalonga BBQ
Local Life
Phaistos, Gortys and Matala
Samaria Gorge
Lassithi Plateau and Dikti caves
Santorini Island
Contact: info@zakrostours.com
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Knossos - Museum
No stay is complete without a visit to the fabulous site of Knossos. This ancient
Minoan palace with its 1400 rooms dates back some 4000 years.
The palace was discovered by the English archeologist Sir Arthur Evans and has been
lovingly restored. Knossos was the home of the legendary King Minos and was
believed to incorporate the Labyrinth where the gruesome beast the Minotaur was
slain.
Visit the queen's throne room, where the throne was found intact and still sits
resplendent as it has for thousands of years.
After our guided tour around Knossos with our professional guide, we drive into
Heraklion for a visit to the archeological museum and its famous collection of Minoan
relics and artifacts. Whilst in Heraklion there will be time to visit the market, to shop
with the locals and have lunch.
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Cretan Night
For a taste of how the Greeks enjoy their nights out, join us for a spectacular village
fiesta.
You will be welcomed at the village with a glass of raki (not for the faint hearted),
before being seated for dinner in traditional Cretan style at long tables inside the
tavern. Delicious food, including local dishes and unlimited wine from the barrel, will
satisfy your appetite and thirst.
The superb dancing and musical programme is the best on the island.
The colorful costumes, the fire dance and of course a very special routine of Zorba the
Greek will entertain people of all ages. All this served up with true Cretan hospitality.
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West Crete
Your chance to see West Crete should not be missed. Beautiful, wild and rugged, the
landscape is completely different from the East of the island. We make a number of
stops, including the university town of Rethymnon with its Turkish minarets,
Venetian fortress and pretty harbor.
On to Chania, the former capital of Crete, where we stop for lunch. Here you will
have the opportunity to explore the fascinating narrow cobbled streets around the
Venetian harbor and to visit the famous leather market, which is built in the shape of a
cross and where the locals come to do their shopping.
Lastly we continue onto Souda bay, the site of the British war cemetery. This
immaculately kept cemetery lies in piece and beauty, as a constant reminder of the
brave young souls who lost their lives.
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East Crete (Sitia and Vai)
This is a breathtaking drive with panoramic views along the Eastern coastline.
Winding our way across the mountains, on our way to the famous "Bounty Beach",
we take a break for refreshments at Sitia. This charming port town is lined with
seafront taverns and has a pretty harbor, where you can sit and take a welcome rest.
With its thousands of palm trees, Vai offers a truly tropical feeling. Here you can have
your lunch, relax and swim in the crystal clear waters imagining you are on a tropical
island!
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Chrissi Island
Become Robinson Crusoe for the day on the deserted island of Chrissi or "Gold
Island".
This exceptional outing begins with a picturesque drive to the south coast. From
Ierapetra, a local boat ride across the azure waters of the Libyan Sea takes us to the
island of Chrissi. During the crossing you can often observe dolphins in their natural
habitat, seemingly showing off as they swim and leap into the air just a few meters
from the boat.
Chrissi Island is the southernmost point in Europe and the hottest. Just 5km long, this
semi-tropical paradise has fantastic beaches. Those in the South are of white sand, and
there is a spectacular fossilized shell beach to the North. The abundance of trees
provides welcome shade and the two tavernas (one at each end of the island) serve
cold drinks and food. A perfect day of swimming, sunbathin and relaxation away
from it all.
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Spinalonga BBQ
A truly relaxing day out for all. A chance to look around Agios Nikolaos with its
bottomless lake, or Elounda, a charming fishing village where the BBC filmed the
popular series "Who pays the Ferryman?
Soak up the sunshine on board boat as we sail gently towards one of Spinalonga's
most secluded coves. A delicious BBQ lunch is prepared whilst we while away the
hours swimming and sunbathing. You may like to dive into the crystal clear waters
from the side of the boat.
A guided tour around the unique island of Spinalonga creates a sense of mystery and
adds interest to the day. You will have the chance to wander around the battlements of
the Venetian fortress and uncover a fascinating part of the island's history. Stroll
through the crumbling town of the former leper colony, where you can still see the
shops and houses, hospital, disinfecting room and churches once used by the
unfortunate inhabitants.
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Local Life
This fascinating day provides an insight into Cretan life. Our first stop is in Heraklion,
where we visit the largest street market on the island. Haggle with the traders selling
their wares, or just stand back and enjoy the hectic hustle and bustle.
Continuing on up into the serenity of the villages, we stop to sample the local wine
and a sumptuous selection of Greek delicacies ( mezedes ). Well refreshed, we
continue on through the countryside and vineyards before stopping again at a local
pottery works. You may like to try your hand at the wheel - it's not as easy as it
looks.
An experienced local guide will lead you on through the tiny rustic villages and bring
to life the stories, past and present of the inhabitants and their lifestyles. You will be
surprised and intrigued to learn the ways and customs of the friendly villagers. You
will also have the chance to buy local crafts, which make ideal presents to take home.
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Phaistos, Gortys and Matala
This excursion uncovers yet another area of history and beauty the island has to offer.
A scenic drive through central Crete leads us to two of the most important
archaeological sites:
Gortys, a Graeco - Roman city and Phaistos, a Minoan palace that occupies a superb
position overlooking the plain of Messara.
There is an opportunity for lunch and swimming. You may then like to take a closer
look at the prehistoric man made caves on the beach, at the delightful resort of
Matala.
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Samaria Gorge
A stunning 18km long walk through the longest and most beautiful gorge in Europe,
which is one of Greece's national parks. Our early morning route takes us along the
north coast of the island through Rethymnon and Chania, before we begin the climb
towards Omalos, which is 4000 feet above sea level. This is where our walk begins, as
we descend the wooden steps into the gorge. The path takes us through varying
widths of the gorge (2-40 meters), the sides of which are between 250 and 600 meters
high. The route reveals a natural masterpiece of sheer rock faces, pine clad valleys,
streams, waterfalls and breathtaking views.
Enjoy a well-earned rest at the bottom of the gorge with a dip in the warm Libyan Sea
and a bite to eat, before boarding the boat for Chora Sfakion where our coach will be
waiting for the journey back to your resort.
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Lassithi Plateau and Dikti caves
Sit back in comfort and enjoy some of the most panoramic and breathtaking rugged
mountain scenery, leading to the green and fertile farmland of the Lassithi Plateau.
The plateau is the site of an astonishing 10.000 windmills, once used for irrigation
purposes during the dry season.
Continuing our peaceful drive through the villages, we make our way to the Dikti
Cave, birthplace of the mythical Greek god Zeus, who was believed to be the king of
all the gods.
There is an opportunity to buy hand-woven Cretan rugs and other local wares from
the villages.
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Santorini Island
This luxury one-day Mediterranean cruise takes you to the magical island of
Santorini, believed to be the lost City of Atlantis.
Black sand and whitewashed houses, indigo sea and grey earth, green fields and
petrified lava; no other place quite compares with the wild natural beauty of this
volcanic island.
The atmosphere will intoxicate you just as much as the taste of the heady local wine.
The view from Thira, the town perched on top of sheer cliffs, will stay in your
memory long after your cruise to Santorini is over.
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