Knossos Palace Experience, Heraklion

Travel back to the second millennium BCE on this short but in-depth exploration of Knossos. You'll be picked up at your accommodation in Heraklion and taken 15 minutes south to Knossos, the center of the Minoan civilization and Greece's second most-visited archaeological site after the Acropolis. The Minoans were Europe's first advanced civilization, which flourished from 3,000 BCE to 1,100 BCE, and you'll discover their achievements during today's excursion.

Made up of over 1,300 interconnected rooms, Knossos is vast; in fact, it's believed to be the famous Minotaur's labyrinth in Greek mythology. As you explore, listen to the various myths tied to the palace, including stories of the Minotaur, Daedalus and Icarus, and King Minos, whom you can imagine sitting on the carved gypsum throne. Admire the Throne Room's ritual bath and painted griffins, and hear how this was most likely the seat of a high priestess instead of a king.

Your guide will highlight significant sites like the Grand Staircase leading to the Royal Apartments, where you'll find replicas of dolphin frescoes showcasing the Minoan's respect for nature. As you take in the bright colors of a charging bull painting on the west bastion and the surrounding red and black columns, you'll learn how Scottish archaeologist Arthur Evans excavated the site in the early 1900s and rebuilt these features based on his idea of what Knossos once looked like. The guided visit ends with a transfer back to your hotel in Heraklion.