Knossos - Zeus Cave - Old Traditional Villages-olive Oil Factory

Stavros was an absolute joy to spend the day with! He is a considerate, fun loving, knowledgeable man who provided lots of interesting facts and laughs. The day flew by and we had an excellent time.

This was a fantastic tour and the highlight of our trip to Heraklion. Stavros was a great guide and his passion and story telling really made the day that extra special. He really took the time to ensure that not only was I having a good time but that my daughter was also having fun and actually learning something as well. He made sure we knew where we were going and gave information about each stop so we knew the history as well. The entire day was fun and informative and both myself and my 15yo daughter loved it and would recommend.

Our private tour with Stavros was amazing! It surpassed all expectations! Stavros was a wonderful tour guide; not only did he share tons of interesting and valuable information with us, but he was personable and lots of fun! Our day started at Knossos Palace when the crowds were light. Our visit at the olive oil factory was very informative, and our samples were delicious. We enjoyed the opportunity to wander through the narrow lanes of villages, visit beautiful churches, and share a coffee in a village square. We also hiked down into the cave where Zeus is said to have been born! Stavros even surprised us with a couple of wine stops, the best being on the beach at the end of our tour. We highly recommend this tour. Thank you, Stavros!

We can’t even describe how fantastic the tour was with Stavros, it was one of the highlights of our 3 week honeymoon (Santorini, Crete, Italy) and the tour was THAT amazing. Stavros was friendly, hilarious, super passionate and just makes the entire tour so fun. In fact reading the reviews was why we moved our tour date because Stavros wasn’t available on one of the days so we moved our tour to the day he was available. Perfect little tour all day for honeymooners that want a stress free, one full day of memorable adventures. Thank you Stavros, may we enjoy olive oil and bread the way you taught us always, yamas!

Absolutely amazing tour even though the weather was terrible on the day . Stavros the tour man was funny and gave us alot of information throughout the tour . He encouraged the kids to take part in things and he made it fun and had us all laughing continuously. We were picked up at 8:00 and I cant remember the exact time we were dropped off , maybe round 15:00 . There was plenty of stops and lots of interesting things to see . Also being able to purchase items at the places we visited. I feel like this was an excellent tour for kids as well as myself as he made it fun, thanks to Stavros.

Our party of 8 had 2 full day custom tours with Stavros..... he was amazing, He was knowledgeable, fun, and very punctual.... You won't be disappointed if you hire Stavros and his team!!!!!

Stavros was the perfect Crete host. He was a wealth of knowledge and so accommodating to our every wish. He customized the whole day to our interests. It was perfect!

Amazing experience. Stavros was an incredible guide. We felt welcomed the instant he pulled in to the driveway of the hotel. The tour was perfectly planned with lots of stops. I took my 15 year old niece, who loved the tour (one of her interest are greek mythology). Seeing the cave was her highlight. This is worth every penny. When I return to Crete I will book a tour with this company again🤩

If you want a good time while exploring Crete then go with Stavros! Everything was perfect from the olive oil tastings to exploring Zeus’ cave. We lucked out with great weather and even better company! Thank you for a unforgettable tour Stavros.

We chose a private tour for our party of four. We were in a very comfortable van and all four of us had good views. Although, we didn’t need it, because having a private tour allows you to control the trip. Our tour guide, Sparos, spoke wonderful English as a native of Crete and gave us so many interesting facts about the island, the cultures of Crete and personal experiences that he had growing up here. Stops at local spots that the guide frequents himself with his family added to the experience of the flavors of Crete. At Every stop we were allowed enough time to enjoy the exhibit, given instructions where to meet the guide and always where their was a restroom. The mountains were cool when we visited and some of our party did not bring a jacket- our guide supplied us with warm jackets!! I would recommend this private tour to small groups. It really added an extra touch of island to the experience and a lot of laughs, thanks to Sparos’ wonderful sense of humor!!!!

Excellent communication skills Stavros gave us details. We met Mike our tour guide for a wonderful day. seeing and learning about the real crete, Mke was funny, engaging, knowledgable, and determined to show us a great day! Ask foe Mike.

The excursion is worth each euro spent. Stavros made our day fun, full of impressions, he showed us the places we would never manage to reach and see on our own. Don't even hesitate to book this private ecxuxcursi,vit will definitely make you holiday unforgettable. Despite the excursion lasted all day long, the children had a lot of fun and we're not even close boring! Highly recommended!

Stavros was an absolutely amazing guide! He was so friendly and knowledgeable, he definitely has a lot of passion for his job and couldn't have asked for a better guide or a better day. We opted for private tour and it was absolutely worth the money, did the tour the way we wanted and even dropped us off at a different return point. He showed us the real crete as well as the tourist points, I would highly recommend this tour ❤️

Our guide for the day was Spyros. He was fun, lively, full of information, and it was important to him that we had a good day. We started at Knossos. He gave us an hour to walk around the grounds. He knew that two cruise ships were coming into the area, so we went here first to avoid the crowds. If you can go to the National Archaeological Museum a day or two before your visit here. It will make it more special. He drove us to an area with dozens of windmills where grain would have been milled. One of the mills has been restored , so you can see what the others would have looked like. Stopped at a farm and picked strawberries to go with the white wine that Spyros had for us. Went my a small plant that produced olive oil. We had an olive oil tasting. They make raki at this place of which we had a sample. Had coffee/tea at a tiny village where the 80 year old owner had worked for years. Stopped by a potter’s studio. My husband made a pot with the artist’s suggestions. We hiked up to a cave that was the birthplace of Zeus. Then walked down to the bottom of the cave observing all the stalactites that were lit up. We stopped for lunch at the is lovely place with beautiful plants on the grounds. We had a terrific lunch on their veranda. Spyro stopped along the way to bring us samples of wild herbs to smell. It was a lovely day. Thank you, Spyro. We are at present sitting on a beach that you recommended and it is wonderful.

We cannot say or thank Stavros enough for an amazing day! Right from the start his dynamic personality captivated us. His enthusiasm, sense of humor, and knowledge were off the chart. He had us laughing from the beginning as he quizzed us on various topics and factes, some of which we knew, but many we did not including some about our home country. His recommendations were spot on, especially visiting Knossos early in the day to avoid the heat and crowds. We then stopped at an olive oil processing plant where he educated us on the how the olives were processed in the past as well as today. The real adventure began when he took us into the mountains to a plateau dominated by farms. First we stopped a farm of his friend where the owner was harvesting melons of which he gave us one that Stavros cut into pieces to share with us. The diversity of the crops were amazing! Next we visited his cousin's farm where we feasted on fresh strawberries and wine. It was interesting to learn about funds from the EU have helped his cousin expand his farm and produce vegetables and strawberries into the early winter months. Throughout the day, Stavros shared Greek history and mythology with us as well as his insights into the Cretan way of life. He shared a lot about the local foilage and fauna, and stopped in locations where sampled grapes, walnuts and carob. I cannot remember a more special day or tour in all of our travels which have been extensive!

Stavros was superb. Very entertaining and knowledgeable. The whole day tour flew by but we never felt rushed. He took us to places off the beaten track so we could experience a bit a real Crete. Thank you

Stavros is a legend. The tour was authentic and hugely enjoyable. Great itinerary, perfectly timed. And great fun throughout.

This tour was amazing and Stavros is an incredible guide. His passion and enthusiasm are infectious right out of the gate and he has a very deep knowledge of Cretan and Greek history. Stavros’ tour includes a blend of famous historical sites, natural beauty, authentic small villages, diverse agricultural areas and local businesses and restaurants. He has been doing this for a long time and knows everyone. He made this tour unforgettable for our entire group. If going to take a tour in Crete, you must do it with Stavros.

Amazing day starting with a tour of Knossos Palace. Stavros was an excellent guide providing local information regarding history and culture. Enjoyed the visit to a family farm, local villages and birthplace of Zeus. Would highly recommend.

Our tour guide was amazing, passionate about the area, and knew things you would only know if you're a local with an investment in the local population. Stavros showed us things we wouldn't know to look for or do, and his relationship with the local farmers and community made this tour extra special for me and my husband. The sights were equally amazing, with a decsent into the cave of Zeus, and the reconstruction of the Knossos palace. We're already discussing our next trip to Crete so we can explore more of this wonderful land with this amazing guide. Do yourself a favor and put your tour in Stavros' hands. He won't steer you wrong.

Without doubt, this was the best day experience of our holiday in Crete and one we will remember for a very long time. What made the day so special wasn’t simply the incredible places we visited, but Stavros himself. His knowledge of Crete is exceptional, but it’s his genuine passion and love for his island, its history, culture and people that really shines through. He doesn’t just tell you facts — he tells stories, explains how people live and work, and gives you a real understanding of the Crete beyond the tourist resorts. And he’s also incredibly funny, so there was plenty of laughter throughout the day! Our day had a bit of everything. We stepped back thousands of years at Knossos Palace, learning about the fascinating Minoan civilisation, before moving from history into Greek mythology with a visit to Zeus’s Cave. Although, when we saw the trek up to the cave, our small group unanimously decided that admiring it from a little further down was perfectly acceptable! 😂 We visited a local olive oil producer, where we learned about the production process before sampling some fantastic Cretan olive oil — accompanied, of course, by a taste of Raki! 🇬🇷 From there we headed higher into the mountains and across the beautiful Lasithi Plateau, seeing how local farmers work the land and learning about what they grow and produce. We travelled through tiny traditional villages, experienced spectacular mountain scenery and saw a side of Crete that we simply wouldn’t have discovered on our own. Throughout the whole day Stavros was welcoming, knowledgeable, entertaining and completely passionate about showing us his Crete. It never felt like we were being taken around on a standard organised excursion; it felt much more like spending the day exploring the island with a local friend who genuinely wanted you to experience and understand his home. There are plenty of excursions you can book in Crete, but if you want to get away from the resorts and experience the real, authentic Crete, I cannot recommend Explore Real Crete and Stavros highly enough. History, mythology, mountains, villages, local produce, olive oil, Raki, stunning scenery and plenty of laughs — an absolutely superb day from beginning to end. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A genuine 5-star experience and an absolute must when visiting Crete.

Stavros was AMAZING. So fun, and so knowledgeable about geography, history, architecture, mythology, everything! We saw so much on our tour that we definitely wouldn't have found on our own. From picking strawberries and tomatoes in a local farm sitting at a family restaurant with authentic, traditional food, not to mention seeing every important site there was to see, we had the best possible day with the best possible guide. All of the places we saw were incredible, but the day wouldn't have been as much fun without Stavros. Thanks so much!

That was an amazing tour we had with Stavros. He has been the perfect guide for our private tour in which we had the opportunity to discover the authentic Crete ! You can select this tour with no hesitation !

I have been on many guided tours throughout France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and elsewhere in Greece and I have to say this was by far the best guided tour I have ever been on. Stavros was AMAZING — incredibly welcoming, hilarious, informative and deeply passionate about sharing his home with us. Our trip was so fun and the pace was excellent! We did so much, but it did not feel rushed. We went to a family owned olive oil factory for a tasting, stopped for coffee in the square of village, checked out the village’s church, picked strawberries on a farm and enjoyed them with some Cretan wine, visited traditional windmills, had an interactive visit at a ceramics studio, hiked to Zeus’ Cave, and enjoyed an excellent meal all while Stavros shared stories and stopped multiple times to show us (and let us taste) the amazing fruits and herbs that grow wild on Crete. Do not leave Crete before going on this trip!!!!!!!

Stavros was such a joy to spend the day with. A local guide who’s been in the tourism industry for years and seems to know everyone everywhere he goes, he’s passionate and knowledgeable and so fun to be around. We got a little bit of history, some mythology, and a whole lot of culture in this tour. He’s strategic about the timing of the various sites and excursions, and might even add on something extra special to make your day with him incredibly memorable. This was a highlight of our Crete vacation for sure! HIGHLY recommend.

We booked on short notice directly through Stavros whom accommodated every wish we had. Our family travel party consisted of three generations but Spyros, our travel guide for the day, succeeded in making us all feel at ease, welcome, comfortable and entertained. It felt like a day spent with a dear family member, a truly unique experience. Spyros helped us create memories today we will treasure for a life time! If you are in Crete, contact Stavros and have him or Spyros taking you onto a journey you will not forget. I am well traveled and quite experienced when it comes to booking locally guided trips; this was one of a kind! Thank you so much Spyros for a wonderful day, thank you Stavros for accommodating us on such short notice!

Without a doubt, this was one of the highlights of our trip to Greece, and Stavros made it truly unforgettable. We started a bit earlier than our scheduled time and right from the get go, Stravos’ energy, enthusiasm, and genuine passion for Crete were contagious. He brought every place to life with fun facts, stories, history, mythology, and cultural insights. He not only shared his insights about Knossos Palace and the legend of Zeus, but also about Greece’s history, traditions, everyday life, and even connections to the world history. We visited Knossos Palace, traditional villages, windmills, local farms, amazing olive oil factory, a beautiful coffee stop, and enjoyed an authentic Cretan lunch. Along the way, Stavros stopped by multiple times to point out interesting trees, fruits, plants, and local landmarks that we would have otherwise driven right past. He was also very generous and stopped by view points to take pictures for us. Those unexpected moments made the experience even more special. What really stood out was how interactive and engaging he was. He encouraged questions, shared personal stories and made learning fun. His kindness, sense of humor, and incredible knowledge kept the energy high throughout the entire day. It felt like exploring Crete with a knowledgeable local friend who truly loves his island. Thank you, Stavros, for an amazing day and for the wonderful memories that we’ll cherish for years to come.

We really enjoyed the tour. We were able to see so many interesting things all in one day. Spyros was extremely accommodating always checking to make sure we were happy and relaxed by opening the door, offering us water and even taking an extra step to be personal and ask questions about our interest in life back at home.. He pointed out so many landmarks and personal favorites. He recommended a restaurant upon our request which is difficult to get a reservation at. He called them for us and was able to get us on the list. It was truly incredible. He really made our trip to Crete one to remember.

We had the most wonderful day with Stavros exploring the sights of this beautiful island. We've been on many tours in different countries over the years, but this was, without a doubt, the best experience we've ever had. Even my hard to please teens loved it. What truly set this tour apart was that spending the day with Stavros felt like being with family. He treated us like royalty and went above and beyond to make the experience personal, relaxed, and unforgettable. We learned so much about the island, its history, and Greek culture, all while enjoying a genuinely authentic experience. Stavros's energy, enthusiasm, and passion are second to none. His warmth and hospitality made us feel so welcome, and by the end of the day, it felt like we were saying goodbye to a friend rather than a tour guide. The car was comfortable and air-conditioned, making the journey between stops a pleasure. If you're visiting the island and considering a tour, definitely book this one!

Stavros was a terrific guide on our full day tour of Knossos & Lasithi Plateu Villages Tour. He kept us informed and entertained with his humor throughout the day. The highlights for sure were learning about how to select the best olive oil, hiking up and entering the beautiful Zeus cave, and seeing Knossos Palace. Definitely consider this tour if you are visiting the island of Crete.

We had a fabulous day trip that gave us the chance to experience the real Crete beyond the tourist resorts. Our guide, Stavros, was absolutely fantastic—friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about sharing his island with us. He tailored the day to our interests, making it feel personal rather than just a standard tour. The highlight for us was spending time on the beautiful Lasithi Plateau. The scenery was absolutely idyllic and it was wonderful to explore such an authentic part of Crete. Everything was seamless from start to finish, including the prompt pick-up in a very comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle. It was excellent value for money and without doubt one of the highlights of our holiday. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this tour! Thank you so much for an amazing day Stavros!

We visited Crete not knowing much about its people and the culture. We only know about Knossos from textbooks and documentaries. Cretans are very friendly and extremely proud of their distinct cultures and traditions. Touring the olive factory and driving up the mountains to visit some the villages really helped us to understand and appreciate Crete and its culture. Thank you, Stavros for showing us your island and entertaining us for the day. It was an experience we will not forget. A must tour for anyone who wants to see beautiful views up in the mountains and enjoy a wonderful company of the locals.

Stavros went above and beyond to cater our tour to our preferences while showing us the "real Crete". We did quite a bit of driving, but it was never boring...loaded with history and trivia. I would highly recommend this to anyone visiting the area!

A fantastic full day out. Spyros was a great tour guide and host, treating us to his encyclopaedic knowledge, warm hospitality and sense of humour. We learned a lot about the history of Crete and Greece, got to see some uniquely personal landmarks and ate some lovely food. The schedule was very well planned out, with the walk up to Zeus’ Cave just tiring enough to work up a nice appetite for the traditional meal, before exploring the Knossos ruins in the afternoon. We were lucky enough to have a great group of people join us on the tour too, so it was all very enjoyable. Highly recommended.

We had wonderful time with our guide Spyros, he explained all our tours very thoroughly. Enjoyed all day

We had such an amazing time on this tour, and Stavros was without doubt one of the best guides we’ve ever encountered on a tour like this. He made sure we had a perfect time, and he went well out of his way to accommodate my family and the other family paired with us. Exceptional all around and we wouldn’t hesitate to highly recommend this tour and anything this tour company puts together. Well worth it!! Thanks Stavros!

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour with Spyros early this April! We only had two days in Crete so we wanted to make the most of it. This tour absolutely nailed it! We got to see so many amazing spots, eat incredible local food, and go into each step of the journey with a lot of valuable backstory and information. Spyros is an amazing storyteller and made everyone comfortable! The group size was just perfect, too, so it didn't feel "commercial" but wasn't expensive like a private tour. Booking was easy, and communication was smooth. This was the best tour of our trip to Greece! 🤍💙

Stavros is a very knowledgeable and enthusiastic tour guide. He made sure we were comfortable, hydrated, and that we saw the major highlights of the true Crete island and people. I would highly recommend this guide regardless of what trip itinerary is chosen, as he will customize it to your preferences.

Our guide, Stavros, was friendly and knowledgeable. He has a passion for Crete. I highly recommend this tour for anyone curious about the history and culture of Crete.

We did our tour of Crete today with Stavros and a great group of people, and it was one of the best tours my wife or I have ever done. He’s the friendliest, funniest guy. He knows all the small details and tells the full story of Crete to truly know and understand the beautiful history of this place. If we could, we would do every tour in Greece with Stavros, and couldn’t recommend it more to anybody considering it.

Stavros is an excellent guide and driver….. he knows everyone and is an expert on Crete but keeps the tour interesting with his humor! We spent two days with Stavros and he took us to some amazing places. Loved picking strawberries as we sipped wine! He has fantastic suggestions for restaurants. When we come back to Crete we will definitely tour with Stavros 😊

Stavros our guide was very friendly and funny. He went beyond our expectations with personal touches.

It was one of these days, where everything matches and makes it an unforgettable day! The Tour was awesome, the guide was eloquent, well informed and a real local, the Food was amazing and the mood was spectacular during the whole day within the group! Absolute recommendation!!!

It was amazing!!! Spyros was the best guide!!! The little details and he is so funny. He shares his love for Crete and part of his own history. What a pleasure to have spent the day with him. Liz and Stephane (Canada)

I would give this 10 stars if I could. Stavros was the best guide we have ever had on any tour. He knew every inch of the island and every person we passed - and everyone was so excited to see him! This was the tour I was most looking forward to during our 10-day anniversary trip, and it did not disappoint!

We had a fantastic day. Our guide/driver Spyros was great and adapted the tour to avoid the crowds. He was spot on time picking us up and there was only one o the person with us which was great as we saw other companies with up to nine people in a jeep with no air conditioning. Spyros was very knowledgeable and answered all our questions about Crete/greece. The highlight for me wasn’t the stops but the drive around the country side and exploring the real Crete. Would highly recommend this tour.

Mike was an excellent guide! He has such a wealth of knowledge about Cretian history and culture and was able to answer any questions we had. It was just the two of us on the tour so we were also really able to go at our own pace and take our time at each stop. He also adjusted the tour slightly for us to make sure we could get back in time for another activity. Zeus’ cave was definitely a highlight. They just finished construction recently and we were able to get in for free. The hike was a bit difficult but the views along the way were worth it. Knossos Palace was a really interesting visit to see the epicenter of the Minoan civilization and get a sense of how they may have lived.

Our guide was amazing!! He was very knowledgeable about all the villages and history of Crete and the city of Malia. He was entertaining and kept us on our toes with the jokes. We ate at a mountainside restaurant that was delicious and we got ample time to explore and enjoy the villages we visited. He was also our photographer (the paparazzi as he called it) and took great photos! When we come back to Crete, we will definitely book another tour with him! Highly recommend!

This tour was absolutely lovely and incredible. Our guide, Spyros, was an excellent driver and guide— knowledgeable, hilarious and charismatic. We enjoyed tasting olive oil at a local factory and learning about the oil making process. We enjoyed local Greek coffee, biscuits, sheep milk yogurt, Raki (moonshine/grapa) and Cretan wine. We learned about local pottery and village life in Lesithi Plateau and visited Knossos Palace. It was a lovely small group tour, not super touristy and a real hidden Cretan Gem. Super super recommend!!!