The second optional excursion on the island of Crete is a panoramic tour of Heraklion and a wine-tasting tour of the beautiful country south of Heraklion beginning at the Venetian lion-guarded port. The bus tour heads south of the city to the famous wine producing area of Peza through breathtaking landscapes of countrysides and vineyards as old as Minoan times. The first stop is a modern winery where you will see the updated procedures of wine making and sample some of the delicious Cretan wines. Your drive continues through rural villages to the village of Archanes, the municipality in the area. On the way, you will make a photo stop at Vathypetro to view one of the oldest farmhouses of Crete, dating to the Minoan period. The tour continues through the island’s hilly countryside where olive groves and vineyards have existed for 4,000 years. In the village of Archanes, which is 10km south of the Palace of Knossos, you will visit a quaint market town with many restored sandstone houses dating from the Turkish period. At a local tavern in the village’s tree-shaded square, you can sample an assortment of Cretan snacks and locally-produced wine. There will be free time to browse the village before the return to Heraklion and the ship. As I said in the Optional Excursions post, my friend did not have anyone on his tour take this excursion so you will need to decide if this is your kind of activity or not. I'm sure our EF guide and the cruise director can offer assistance too.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Wine-Tasting Optional Excursion on Crete
The second optional excursion on the island of Crete is a panoramic tour of Heraklion and a wine-tasting tour of the beautiful country south of Heraklion beginning at the Venetian lion-guarded port. The bus tour heads south of the city to the famous wine producing area of Peza through breathtaking landscapes of countrysides and vineyards as old as Minoan times. The first stop is a modern winery where you will see the updated procedures of wine making and sample some of the delicious Cretan wines. Your drive continues through rural villages to the village of Archanes, the municipality in the area. On the way, you will make a photo stop at Vathypetro to view one of the oldest farmhouses of Crete, dating to the Minoan period. The tour continues through the island’s hilly countryside where olive groves and vineyards have existed for 4,000 years. In the village of Archanes, which is 10km south of the Palace of Knossos, you will visit a quaint market town with many restored sandstone houses dating from the Turkish period. At a local tavern in the village’s tree-shaded square, you can sample an assortment of Cretan snacks and locally-produced wine. There will be free time to browse the village before the return to Heraklion and the ship. As I said in the Optional Excursions post, my friend did not have anyone on his tour take this excursion so you will need to decide if this is your kind of activity or not. I'm sure our EF guide and the cruise director can offer assistance too.
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