Recently Viewed
Cretan Culinary Delights: Local Food and Wine Tasting
4.0
15 Ratings
Knosos
Embark on a Heraklion Valley Wine Tour and immerse yourself in the culinary delights of Crete. Join locals, taste local wines, indulge in a homemade lunch, and experience the true essence of Crete.
Embark on a Heraklion Valley Wine Tour and immerse yourself in the culinary delights of Crete. Join locals, taste local wines, indulge in a homemade lunch, and experience the true essence of Crete.
Duration:
6 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- The Palace of Knossos - This Minoan palace is the primary attraction in Knossos, a significant ancient city with continuous habitation from the Neolithic era to the 5th century. Situated on the hill of Kefala, it offers easy access to both the sea and the interior of Crete. Traditionally, it was the residence of the wise King Minos. The palace is…
- The Palace of Knossos - This Minoan palace is the primary attraction in Knossos, a significant ancient city with continuous habitation from the Neolithic era to the 5th century. Situated on the hill of Kefala, it offers easy access to both the sea and the interior of Crete. Traditionally, it was the residence of the wise King Minos. The palace is linked to captivating myths, such as the Labyrinth with the Minotaur and Daedalus with Icarus.
- Agia Irini - Located in the area of Agia Irini at Spilia, this site features the largest aqueduct bridge in Crete, constructed to address the water shortage in the Grand Castle (modern-day Heraklion). Built during the Egyptian occupation (1830-40), this water bridge transported water from the Fountana spring in Kounavi and the Miliaras spring in Skalani to the center of Heraklion, merging with water from the Venetian aqueduct of Morozini.
The construction was prompted by the Egyptians’ discovery of the ancient Roman aqueduct of Knossos, featuring a 1150m long underground tunnel, which was cleaned, opened, and restored. The east entrance of the tunnel remains in excellent condition, while the west is blocked by soil. The area is perfect for a stroll, with a lovely park featuring trees and benches adjacent to the church of Agia Irini (Saint Irene).
-
Titakis Wines- Fabrika Wine Experience - ️ A historic winery that combines tradition with modern techniques
Cellar & Winery Tour – Witness the production process firsthand
Wine Tasting: Sample 5 exceptional wines showcasing Cretan varietals
Enjoy an interactive experience with expert sommeliers -
Winery Stilianou - A family-run estate offering breathtaking vineyard views
Winery & Cellar Tour – Discover organic winemaking and local grape varieties
Wine Tasting: Taste 5 unique wines, including rare indigenous varieties
Stroll through the vineyards and experience Cretan terroir firsthand -
Archanes - An authentic local tavern set in a picturesque location
Farm-to-table dishes featuring fresh ingredients
A selection of traditional meze, main courses, and desserts
House wine & raki included
What's Included
- Pick up and Drop off from customers Hotel
- Bottled water
- Alcoholic beverages
- All Fees and Taxes
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Lunch
- Transportation with Premium SUV
- Pick up and Drop off from customers Hotel
- Bottled water
- Alcoholic beverages
- All Fees and Taxes
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Lunch
- Transportation with Premium SUV
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Immerse yourself in the gastronomic wonders of Crete with genuine locals.
Participate in their authentic day-to-day lifestyles and gain insights into the region’s indigenous products and specialties. Experience the Real Crete.
Relish an exclusive sampling of regional wines.
Savor a homemade meal in the most exclusive and picturesque setting.
Tours…
Immerse yourself in the gastronomic wonders of Crete with genuine locals.
Participate in their authentic day-to-day lifestyles and gain insights into the region’s indigenous products and specialties. Experience the Real Crete.
Relish an exclusive sampling of regional wines.
Savor a homemade meal in the most exclusive and picturesque setting.
Tours restricted to small-teams of a maximum of 8 individuals.
Customized experiences.
Complimentary hotel collection and return included.
- Bring a hat, sunscreen and light Clothing
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements or Allergies at time of booking
- Spending Money in case you would like to make a purchace
- Vegetarian option is available Upon Request
Location
The Palace of Knossos
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.0
(15 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Road58279857113
Jun 24, 2024
Brilliant experience - We’ve just got back from having the most wonderful day. From the first stop, an added experience at an olive oil farm to the very last meal we were entertained and educated on the arts of olive oil and wine making. Aggeliki looked after us brilliantly and for the day we truly experienced Cretian hospitality. I highly recommend this trip. Take some cash as WiFi can be unreliable when making purchases. Beautiful scenery, company and a simply brilliant day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mellycarr
May 21, 2024
A great trip for wine lovers - An excellent day out! We visited Titakis winery first and were shown around all stages of the production process before trying 5 delicious wines, all local varieties. Next was Stilianou winery which was a much smaller, family run affair. We tried some more lovely wines, including two which were unfiltered.
We then went on to lunch which was fantastic. Greek salad, stuffed vine leaves, and a pasta dish, followed by orange cake and accompanied by wine & raki.
Our driver, Rula, was really friendly, enthusiastic, and even helped us book a restaurant she recommended for dinner.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stephen
Aug 28, 2023
Cretan wines and food - Whilst labelled a semi-private tour, there were only the two of us.
Tony collected us from our apartment - he was friendly, interesting and knowledgeable about Crete, Heraklio, and food and wine around Heraklio, and gave us time to absorb our trip and in the information he’d given us.
Irena’s excellent tour of the Titakis winery of three generations, and tastings of wines from local varieties of Crete was an absorbing experience - not to be missed.
Titakis vineyards are mostly approx 50kms south, so it was then fascinating to compare the the much the same varieties grown locally at the newly developed Digenakis winery.
The long-time inter-generational family-owned Taverna Filosofos in Archanes delivered us wonderful delicious meals with great service, in a delightful cozy courtyard.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jacob_h
May 6, 2023
Amazing - Super fun and relaxing, everyone was super knowledgeable and friendly! They answered all of our questions and the questions they didn’t know, they found out for us! One of our favorite tours! Driver was super friendly and patient for us!!
Review provided by Viator
Kimberley_n
Oct 4, 2022
Brilliant Day trip! - Picked up from our hotel by Alex who was our lovely tour guide and taken to the first winery. We were the only ones there, the view was amazing, the tour was great and the wine was so nice we bought some - we tried 4 wines in total and their olive oil. The second winery was lovely too, we got a tour of the vineyard and tried 4 glasses of wine. For dinner we were taken to a little town in the mountains. We had so much food, we were stuffed. They were so accommodating and lovely, the food was amazing too. We loved the whole day, really worth the money.
Review provided by Viator
Esmiitje
Jun 5, 2024
Highly recommended! - Highly recommended! Because there were few registrations, it was not semi-private but completely private. Nice taxi driver. First winery learned a lot and tasted delicious. Coincidentally, there is a Dutch explanation there. The second winery was especially beautiful, but slightly less special in terms of wine and explanation. Then we had a delicious meal at the next destination. Both can also enjoy the wines by taxi. ;)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Evelyn_j
Oct 15, 2023
Definitely try the Za Za Zu - Four of us and 2 babies were crammed into a tiny Volvo that would comfortably fit 3. Our driver was a pleasant 20+ young man but it was his 4th day on the job-he knew nothing about wines or the area. The wineries were nicely situated in the countryside and the tasting rooms were welcoming. We were very interested in the humongous concrete vats used for aging/storing the wines. The wines were so/so with the exception of a sparkling called Za Za Zu.
Review provided by Viator
Nataliemt1907mr
Sep 30, 2022
Average - The driver was late, he was lovely but had little information to offer about historical sites and the vineyards. More similar to a taxi driver than tour guide. The first vineyard we visited was a let down as a lot of the wines they had on offer for the tasting were out of stock. Also the lady giving the tasting had little information about wines and would disappear between wines no discussion or engagement. The second vineyard was a bit better however they do only sign you up for the basic package so you only get to try 5 wines compared to most people at the vineyard trying 7. All tasting pours I did notice were very small across both vineyards. The place they take you for lunch, the servers speak limited English and the food was just ok.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Charles_p
Oct 16, 2023
Nope - Driver was nice but only a driver. The ‘Tour’ was actually just a taxi service between two wineries and a tavern. Nothing about Archannes or the palace was ever even mentioned. We were traveling with two infants and expressed this multiple times prior via the booking agency, car seats, etc. expressed we were also booking with two more adults (4 adults and 2 infants). Day of the tour the smallest possible car shows up. Would have comfortably sat 3 people, not us. We were put in this situation out of our control and it was not remedied. The other 4 people on the ‘tour’ were driven around in an SUV with two extra empty seats. We were smushed together in a back seat holding babies in our laps. Price was ridiculous considering all this. Would not recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Op_local
Oct 22, 2023
Beware - LocalTrips4U Cancelled Our Tour on Short Notice - Based on other reviews, we were really looking forward to this one. But, the tour operator cancelled our tour the night before and sent an e-mail with no explanation why. Because we weren't able to use our cell phones to check e-mail until we got off the ship the next day, we went to the pickup point and no one came, so after 2 calls to the tour operator, we were finally told that the driver tested positive for COVID and that's why the tour was cancelled. The next day, the tour operator sent a 2nd e-mail with this explanation, which was obviously not timely or helpful. HUGE disappointment as it was too late to find any other tours & the day in Crete was not spent as we had hoped and planned for. Nonetheless, our refund was processed promptly and that was appreciated. I do not understand how a tour operator with only ONE available driver can function in a bigger city like Heraklion. I strongly suggest not booking tours with this group (LocalTrips4U) because they are obviously way too small to manage emergencies among their staff and you too could end up with no tour at the last minute with no other options.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
