Knossos - Zeushöhle - Alte traditionelle Dörfer-Olivenölfabrik

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!