Art & History Abroad Tours
The Golden Age Of The Minoans
Crete is the largest of the Greek islands, and its historical significance is very impressive, stretching from Stone Age seafarers and Neolithic farmers to the enigmatic Bronze Age civilisation of the Minoans.
The Minoans are known for their labyrinthine ‘palaces’, the greatest of which is Knossos. As a strategic gateway to the eastern Mediterranean, Crete has been ruled by many great powers: Roman, Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman.
This tour explores Crete’s cultural highlights, including its four Minoan palaces. If you have never visited Crete, this expert-led tour is the perfect way to explore this wonderful island; if you have been before, you will see it from a different perspective.
what’s included
At A Glance
MEET YOUR EXPERT GUIDE
Dr Rita Roussos
Rita studied Ancient Greek and Latin at the University of California, Berkeley, before completing her PhD in History of Art at the Courtauld Institute of Art. She has excavated in Greece and taught at the American University of Athens.
Her academic background gives Rita a deep understanding of Greek archaeology, classical art and Minoan civilisation. On tour, she places sites and museum collections within the beliefs, politics and daily life of the ancient world, making complex material clear, engaging and memorable for travellers.
itinerary & excursions
Your Itinerary
Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.
Day 1: Fly to Heraklion
Fly from London Gatwick to Heraklion and transfer to the Atrion Hotel for a three-night stay.
Day 2: Knossos Palace, Heraklion Archaeological Museum & Vathypetro
Today we visit the first of the four “palaces” on the tour, the “Palace” of Knossos, which is the centre of Europe’s first civilisation and the largest Bronze Age site in the country. The intricate, multi-storeyed layout of the palace has led to its connection with numerous myths and legends, including that of Theseus, the Minotaur and the labyrinth. Knossos was controversially excavated in the early 20th century by the English archaeologist Arthur Evans.
The day includes a visit to the Archaeological Museum where we will see one of the world’s most important exhibits of prehistoric art and artefacts, a magnificent showcase of the Minoan culture, fully re-opened in 2014 following an eight-year refurbishment.
The last visit of the day is to the Minoan manor house and outbuildings of Vathypetro, the surviving remnants of a settlement that stretched across three hills, including a wonderfully preserved wine press, one of the oldest in the world. Group dinner this evening.
Day 3: Gortyn, Phaistos Palace & Agia Triada
We drive to the south of the island to visit three important sites. First is the Greco-Roman site of Gortyn in the lush Messara Valley, thought to have been populated by over 300,000 people. The site is best-known for its lengthy wall inscription of 5th-century BC law codes of the city, the oldest and most complete example of coded ancient Greek laws ever found.
We continue to the magnificent Minoan “palace” of Phaestos, whose most famous find, the Phaestos Disc, was found in its archives and whose script remains undeciphered. We leave Phaestos to visit Agia Triada, a grand but ruinous Bronze Age villa that has yielded more examples of Linear A tablets than any other site of its kind.
Day 4: Malia Palace & Spinalonga
Founded over 4,000 years ago, the “Palace” of Malia, is a huge Minoan complex just north of the Lasithi Mountains, noteworthy for its size, which includes a unique craftmen’s settlement. The distinctive storage rooms, granaries, and kernos are impressive.
Today includes a short boat trip to the haunting and evocative island of Spinalonga, the location of a former leper colony, which was in use from 1903 until 1962 and was the setting for Victoria Hislop’s novel The Island. The island was occupied by the Venetians in the 16th century in order to strengthen their defences. Similarly, the Ottomans also used it for defensive purposes.
Check-in to the Miramare Hotel, Agios Nikolaos for a four-night stay.
Day 5: Free Day
Today has been left free for you to relax and explore the local area independently.
Day 6: Gournia & Mochlos
We visit the well-preserved late Minoan town of Gournia. The remains of Gournia cluster around cobbled streets on the side of a hill and are crowned by workers’ houses and a “palace”. Traces of some 50 houses are in evidence here, as well as three cemeteries and a port beyond. It is the best example of a Minoan town in the prehistoric Aegean and it is still being excavated.
Later in the day, we take a boat trip to Mochlos island, which has one of the largest and most significant of the surviving Early Minoan cemeteries in Crete.
Day 7: Zakros Palace
The “palace” of Zakros is the last of the four Minoan “palaces” and the smallest. Its rich finds have provided much information on Minoan trade. Evidence of its links with the East is provided by the discovery of four elephant tusks and six bronze ingots, imported on the same overseas journey.
Zakros is located at the southeast end of the Lassithi plain on a natural bay. In 1961 N. Platon began the archaeological excavation of the site, bringing to light a “palace” with impressive finds, as it had remained unlooted after its destruction.
The palace of Zakros was founded in the Neopalatial period (c. 1600 BC), evidence shows the town was densely populated.
Day 8: Return Flight to London Gatwick
Transfer to Heraklion Airport for return flight to London Gatwick.
our guests say
Recent reviews
“Very well organised trip. On par with our previous experience with Travel Editions. Miranda was a great tour guide. Friendly and a force of nature. Rita gave an excellent commentary throughout. Hotels were clean and comfortable with good food selection and friendly staff.”
Lockyer, April 2025
“We did certainly enjoy our trip to Crete. It was well organised with clear information about when and where we would be going and particular tips on footwear on certain days. Some of us felt that the Agios Nikolaos hotel was a bit far from town but did appreciate the half board evening buffet. Tour Manager: excellent always around when required and most informative. Sightseeing Tours: The Archaeological Guide was excellent. We felt we had a good balance with the well-appointed tours, a trip to the museum and talks in the evening. We also appreciated the free day midweek. Overall Impression: Very good.”
Anonymous, April 2024
“This was my third Travel Editions tour, and I was very impressed by the organisation of the tour and the knowledge and experience of the tour guides. The first hotel we stayed at in Heraklion was adequate though no more. The second hotel at Agios Nikolaos was very nice. I greatly enjoyed the tour, as I have previous tours.”
Cooke, April 2024
Availability
Choose Your Departure
HOTELS
Tour Accommodation
Excellent quality hotels are used throughout this tour, all offering a high standard of service, facilities and comfort in ideal locations to explore the sites visited.
Atrion Hotel, Heraklion
Modern three-star hotel located right in the heart of Heraklion within a short walk of a host of restaurants, cafés and bars. Facilities here include bar, restaurant, patio and comfortable bedrooms with all modern amenities.
Atrion Hotel website
Miramare Hotel, Agios Nikolaos
An attractive four-star hotel complex situated in the peaceful location of Gargadoros, on the outskirts of Agios Nikolaos. The hotels position, on a low hill and raised from the sea front, ensures spectacular views across the town of Agios Nikolaos and the beautiful Mirabello Bay. The comfortable rooms all offer sea views. All facilities of Agios Nikolaos, including shops, cafes and tavernas are all within easy reach of the hotel.
Miramare Hotel website
our regular tours
Mobility Information
This tour has a moderate fitness rating, reflecting a fuller itinerary with a good balance of visits, walking and time spent exploring on foot.
Some visits may involve cobbled streets, uneven paving, slopes, steps, stairs, limited seating, or walking from the coach drop-off point to the entrance of a site or attraction. The exact demands will vary from day to day, and we highlight specific practical details within the itinerary wherever possible.
You should feel comfortable walking at a steady group pace, standing during visits and enjoying a full day of sightseeing. If you are unsure whether this tour is right for you, please contact us before booking.
Your questions answered
Tour FAQ
If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.
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