Agios Nikolaos: Minoan & Ancient History Trails

Absorb Minoan treasures and breathtaking views, hidden among olive groves on this self-guided driving tour. Experience the magic of GPS playback on this immersive drive from Malia to Agios Nikolaos. The northwest part of Crete’s Lassithi Province is known for its unique landscape, bordering one of Europe’s most beautiful bays, Mirabello Bay. On this scenic driving tour, you’ll discover Spinalonga island and the village of Milatos, parts of Crete that were heavily influenced by years of Ottoman occupation. This four-hour tour departs from Malia Palace Archaeological Site, where I’ll tell you about its history, dating back to the Bronze Age. From there, you’ll drive through several traditional Cretan villages while gaining insight into local customs. I’ll tell you how the Cretan government banished Mesquinis (lepers) to Spinalonga island, transforming it into a leper colony. In Agios Nikolaos, you can enjoy a delicious drink at Lake Voulismeni in the centre of the city.

Discover the highlights of Spinalonga, Agios Nikolaos and Elounda on this multi-stop trip from Rethymnon. See Spinalonga Island, the Lake of Voulismeni, and more. Meet your local guide, and make your first stop at Agios Nikolaos on the Gulf of Mirabello. This place is famous for its picturesque lake, explored by the ocean researcher Jaques Cousteau. Walk along the city on your own or relax at a cafe. After that, drive to the harbor of Elounda where you'll get on a ferry to visit the Island of Spinalonga. This small isle carries within the history of Ancient Greece, as it served as a natural guard for the ancient city of Olous. Choose to join a guided tour or explore the island by yourself. After visiting Spinalonga, depart for one of the nearby bays.

We will take you by our air-conditioned bus from Makry Gialos, drive through Ierapetra until Elounda, a famous village for its beauty and view. From there we will visit the island of Spinalonga, where you will be offered a walking guided tour and have enough free time to explore the island. This small isle carries within the history of Ancient Greece, as it was used as a Leper Colony until 1957 and there is a great history for you to find out behind this. Back to Elounda where you will have time to explore the beautiful promenade and enjoy your coffee or lunch. Our last stop will be in Agios Nikolaos, to walk around the "bottomless" lake and enjoy the picturesque scenery. There will be enough time for shopping and coffee.

The perfect All-in-One tour. We pick you up at our hotel and bring you with our luxurious Land Rover Discovery (Leather Seats and A/C) to the the fantastic palace of Knossos. After this excursion to the minoan history we climb to the impressive mountains of Crete where you wil have unforgettable views to the Aegean Sea, the nature and the small villages. Passing narrow nature roads you will have a lot of fun at a local very good taverna. Included in the trip is also food and drinks. We will continue our trip passing valleys with wild goats, herbs and old olive trees. In the evening we will return you back to your hotel.

Do what you want....... Our professional drivers will drive you wherever you like to go. 6 seats in our very comfortable and luxury Land Rover discovery with air condition are available per car. Every booking is for one car, you decide how many guests you take with you. Enjoy privacy with your friends and your family. Do a real off road safari private tour with driver to unknown places, We can make you a perfect Safari day trip in the High Mountains or to hidden places through the forrest. Visit waterfalls or deserted coves. Meet local people and discover the real Crete. Or tell us what you like to see and to discover and we take you there.

Come with us on a journey along East Crete reveling in the endless luxuries of the Lassithi Plateau which is basked in allure forests & fertile land dotted with iconic windmills. From the comfort of a luxury chauffeured vehicle at your disposal, our knowledgeable local insider will ensure you experience the best of the whole itinerary. Discover quaint villages, local lifestyle, storied monuments, Byzantine Monasteries & Cretan art. Tuck into a culinary odyssey & savor genuine tastes loved by our legendary forefathers. It’s our job to hook you up with only the most authentic eateries. Amble in the footsteps of gods to the Cave of Zeus. Plunge into the mythical birthplace & sense the sanctity of this ancient site. When in Knossos Palace, luxuriate in the eternal magnificence of the Minoan ruins & frescoes. Succumb to the personalized service of a top history-archaeology guide & let us stimulate you with eclectic information by ensuring a stress-free pace in all archaeological areas.

Embark on a captivating journey that begins in the cosmopolitan town of Agios Nikolaos and leads to the traditional village of Kritsa, rich in history, myths, and Byzantine charm. Wander through its picturesque alleys and visit an olive oil factory where you’ll enjoy a guided tour, learn about the production process, and taste local olive varieties. Continue through the serene landscapes of holm oaks and the ancient Cypress Forest of Minos as we ascend to the Katharo Plateau at 1250m, a place of natural beauty and home to fossils of the extinct Cretan dwarf hippopotamus. Next, explore the breathtaking Lassithi Plateau, said to be the birthplace of Zeus, once home to over 10,000 windmills and one of Europe’s earliest wind farms. Discover the region’s ancient pottery traditions by crafting your own clay creation to take home. Our final stop is the peaceful village of Krasi, where we admire the monumental 2,400-year-old plane tree beloved by Cretan author Nikos Kazantzakis.

Do what you want....... Our professional drivers will drive you wherever you like to go. 6 seats in our very comfortable and luxury Land Rover discovery with air condition are available per car. (Maximal 6 Guests per Car !) Very nice food in leading tavernas with wine / water is included. Enjoy privacy with your friends and your family. Do a real off road safari private tour with driver to unknown places, We can make you a perfect Safari day trip in the High Mountains or to hidden places through the forrest. Visit waterfalls or deserted coves. Meet local people and discover the real Crete. Or tell us what you like to see and to discover and we take you there. We cannot go everywhere in one day, its impossible due the size of our beautiful island but we plan together with you a unforgettable day.

Succumb to a bespoke service of our top local guides with expert knowledge in the comfort of a luxury chauffeured vehicle at your disposal. Luxuriate along the stellar ruins & lavish frescoes of Knossos Palace appreciating it in a way few will ever get the chance to. Immerse into the labyrinthian marvel as we draw you back to a time when myth & history were indistinguishable. Where there’s culture, there’s wine. Let us chauffeur you to the heart of Central Crete, a rich Minoan land backed by olive groves & wine-red earth. Here you will discover boutique award-winning domains to sample Cretan vintages with divine flavors. With personal touch impressions soak up the entire collection of unique artworks & history of the archaeological museum of Heraklion by savoring each hall at your own pace. In the evening, stroll the aesthetically fortified city of Heraklion. Dazzle your senses with delicious aromas of garlic & basil pouring from superb restaurants with local-exclusive cuisine.

From the Minoan times, Lassithi Plateau is the earth of fertility and love for food. A rich Cretan land to remind us of just how satisfying it is to source and cook your own ingredients. It’s why we love it. We want to take you away from the crowded places of countless Instagram posts to the island’s most untouched escapes where time has slowed down and history persists. That is why our Travel Experts have designed this culinary adventure for lovers of authentic gastronomy, art, and mythic landscapes. This luxury trip will take you through the charming and often forgotten country of Lassithi, across small villages, emblematic Windmills, and the Plateau’s spectacular views. In the late afternoon, find yourself at a Cretan house that was built next to the Cave of Zeus on the ancient ruins that still exude timeless energy. Here you will meet the chef-owner of Mansion Halavro (means playground among archaic ruins) who will indulge you in the artistic pleasures of Cretan cuisine.

Our award-winning Travel Designers are unapologetic gourmands. Sometimes food is the inspirational part of the craft of our adventures. That is why we traveled to Crete’s Lassithi Plateau to search for the rare Cretan black truffle – and learned how to cook them with our brilliant local chefs. Now you can do the same. We’ve designed this unforgettable trip to submerge you into an authentic way of life in one of the island’s most beautiful regions while gaining a deeper understanding of the relationship between recipes, people, and traditions. This is the land of emotions and the art of planning two great loves: travel and food.

There still exists a purity of experiences in this world, and you can find it here in East Crete. Have the inside track from our top local insider unearthing gateways to an unseen world by the comfort of luxury chauffeured vehicle at your disposal. Venture from village to village to see the island through the eyes of a local. Get off the beaten track & follow archaic trails across the Minoan mountains embraced by ancient forests. From a perfect mountainside peak take in the bird’s eye panoramas of the Libyan & Aegean Seas. Then lose yourself in the deep veins of magnificent gorges that host wild beauty with a soft heart. Somewhere between heaven & earth, discover a secret paradise of our forefathers nestled within an oasis of towering aged trees & perennially flowing waters. Revel in genuine tastes of Cretan cuisine with local cooking techniques on a wood oven or open fire. Looking for stories that define people & culture, we want to give you access to Crete’s best-kept secrets.

Discover the soul of Western Crete on a bespoke journey where history, culture, and nature harmoniously unfold. Designed for seamless exploration between Crete’s western and eastern regions, this tour blends flexibility with enriching discovery. Experience Rethymno’s Venetian charm, a perfectly preserved masterpiece, and Chania’s multicultural vibrancy, a dynamic crossroads of Mediterranean cultures. Together, they tell a story of Crete’s rich and evolving heritage. In Argiroupolis, life-giving springs and lush greenery set the stage for savoring traditional Cretan dishes infused with local flavors. At Boutari Winery, indulge in a curated wine-tasting experience that highlights Crete’s centuries-old viniculture. Finally, find tranquility at Kournas Lake, where serene beauty and peaceful reflections await. Curated by expert travel designers and brought to life by passionate guides, this tour blends thoughtful design with heartfelt storytelling, uncovering Crete’s essence.