Day 1
Meet with your guide at the terminal of Cretan Spiti Travel, across from the entrance of the Heraklion
Archaeological Museum, in front of Hari’s Creperie, Heraklion at 08.30, we drive to Gortyna, the
Roman capital of Crete and Cyrenaica and was first inhabited around 3200 BC. After the visit of
Gortyna, we drive through valley of Mesara to visit the archaeological site of Phaistos and its palace,
the most important center of the Minoan civilization, and the most wealthy and powerful city in
southern Crete. After our visit to Phaistos, we drive to Matala where you will enjoy some free time to
swim in the crystal clear waters and lunch. Finally we arrive to Zaros, attractive, refreshingly unspoiled
village famous for its spring water, which is now bottled and sold all over Greece, and an ideal base for
walkers to explore the beautiful nature. Zaros also has some fine Byzantine monasteries, and delicious
farm-raised trout served up in tavernas around town and on emerald-green Lake Votomos which will
be visited. Overnight at the hotel in Zaros.
Day 2
Breakfast at the Hotel in Zaros. At approximately 09.30 we start our drive to the traditional Cretan
village of Vatos, a small village hidden in the green where we find all the elements of its tradition.
Walking down the alleys we visit the old school and its fountain as well as the museum with the
farming tools and utensils of earlier times. We finish at a cauldron of the village where you make Raki
(the famous alcoholic beverage of Crete). Spili is our next stop known for its Venetian snake with a long
line of 25 stone lion heads that run cool water from their mouths. Optional lunch at Spili. Then we visit
Lampini, the church and the museum of Panagia. The church is inscribed with a cupola, and depicts
frescoes of the 12th and 14th century. It was an Episcopal church, since the village of Lampini once
accommodated the seat of the famous Episcopate of Lampis, which had existed since 431. Drive to
Gorge of St. Antonios, walk through a very nice hiking trail in the gorge with super green and lush
surroundings up to the cave of St. Antonios. Late in the afternoon at 18:30, we return to Heraklion at
the terminal of Cretan Spiti Travel.
Included Air-conditioned Motorcoach, Hotel accommodation in 2* hotel in Zaros on BB basis (lunch included
that day), Professional Guide/Escort, VAT and all legal taxes included
Not Included Pick up-drop off transfer, Entrance fees to the archaeological sites ( AD / RED), 1 lunch and 1
dinner in restaurant throughout in the tour (40,00 €), Drinks and beverage during the meal, Gratuities, Anything
that is not specified in the program as included