Palácio de Knossos - Lasithi Plateau - Cave of Zeus

My husband and I booked this tour and even before we met Kostas we had been emailing him different questions and from the start, he was very responsive and very accommodating. Kostas informed us even before we got to Greece that the cave of Zeus was closed, but he would find other places we could go. All the places he took us were fantastic and his knowledge of Crete is impeccable. He not only provided us with lots of water, but delicious homemade treats along the way! Also stopped by a strawberry farm – enjoyed fresh non-pesticide strawberries with his family’s homemade honey- simply incredible! The restaurant he took us to was very delicious and very authentic Greek. We spent 10 hours with him, not only learning about Crete, but also getting to know him on a personal level, which made the day even more special. We would highly recommend this tour with Kostas as it was our highlight of our trip!

Kostas rolls out the red carpet for his guests! Having a luxurious Mercedes van with a table inside to leave our belongings in while we explored was so convenient. He took us to places we wouldn't have known about. We were able to drink fresh water from a local spring and eat the most amazing meal with a beautiful view. He also took us to an alternative cave, which my son really enjoyed, since Zeus was closed. He's a fantastic driver (how he maneuvers his van in such small spaces is a resume worthy skill) and he provides snacks at almost every stop! These aren't your average snacks either. They are homemade by his mom. In addition, he leaves you with parting thank you gifts of his families honey and some tea! I highly recommend his tour. It was fantastic!

A very interesting day covering a lot of local history with the sites visited added to by the knowledge of Kosas our guide and the wonderful sweet treats provided by his Mum.

Kostas is an exceptional host. He had expert level knowledge of the history and mythology of Crete, and all the other destinations under the Greek umbrella. He provided water and snacks throughout the day, and customized our trip to meet our “American” mealtime habit. He managed our time from airport pickup to drop off to perfection. Truly our best tour of trip.

Very worthwhile tour. Extremely knowledgeable guide and authentic stops for meals with wonderful food .

Very knowledgeable and proud tour guide. We were able to adjust our destinations Based on our interests.

Our tour with Kostas was the best part of our entire trip to Greece. His love for Crete showed in every aspect of the day. This was so much more than a tour of Crete. It was a culinary, cultural, and historical experience where you really got to learn so much about this amazing island. I cannot speak highly enough of our experience. We were able to select different to-dos throughout the day based on what was open or not and his recommendations. My husband and I will be talking about this tour with everyone until we come and do it again...that is how amazing it was!

Our expectation: a day filled with ancient history, mountain landscapes, and maybe a glimpse of Zeus. Things turned out a bit differently – and honestly, even better. Right on time, my daughter and I were picked up at our hotel by our guide Kostas, in his clean and comfortable car. After a quick round of friendly small talk, we revisited the planned route: the Cave of Zeus was unfortunately closed, and hundreds of cruise ship passengers were already heading toward Knossos that morning. No problem for Kostas – a true Cretan and someone who knows the island like the back of his hand. He quickly reshaped the day’s itinerary with skill and care, and what followed became one of the absolute highlights of our trip. Kostas is well-educated, polite, friendly, and thoughtful – and his knowledge of Cretan history and culture is impressive. But what made the day truly special were the open, personal conversations we had along the way – not just about ancient ruins, but about life, philosophy, and everything in between. Even though our original route changed, our expectations weren’t just met – they were exceeded. If you're looking for a private, insightful, and flexible tour with a local who truly cares, Kostas is the perfect guide!

Our tour of Crete with Kostas from Stagakis Grand Prestige was one of our favorite excursions that we did while on our cruise. Kostas was incredibly knowledgeable about Crete’s history and culture, and also just a great guy to spend the day with. He was funny, warm, and had a great sense of humor. He was constantly making us laugh. He showed us hidden spots we never would’ve found on our own, and he shared stories and history that made each stop feel more memorable. Along the way, he offered us all kinds of local snacks, mostly made by his own mother. We even got to try honey that he, his father and brother produce. He brought us to a fantastic little Greek restaurant for lunch where we devoured everything in sight. He surprised us at the end with a parting gift of local tea so that we could take a piece of Crete home. The vehicle was spotless and comfortable, and we always felt safe and well looked after. It felt like we were spending the day with a local friend who genuinely wanted us to fall in love with his island. We can’t recommend Kostas and Stagakis Grand Prestige enough, and we will definitely book a tour with him again next time we visit Crete!

Kostas is amazing and super knowledgeable about all things Greek, history and just random facts. We loved our day together and highly recommend his tour in Crete. Enjoy and truly one of the best places we have traveled to in the world. Friendly people with deep history of tradition and kindness/hospitality. Love it!! Definitely will see Kostas again. Best wishes to your future travels, Shail