Private Visit to Zeus Cave & Lasithi Plateau, Chania
Discover the beauty of Lasithi plateau and experience the unique birthplace of Zeus, the Dikteon cave.
Overview
Highlights
- Witness the history of the drowned Sfendili Village
- Take in the breathtaking views of the Aposelemis Dam
- Visit the charming Kera Kardiotisa Monastery
- Hike up Mount Spathi and explore the Dikteon Cave
Know before you go
8 hours
All ages
Private
Lunch Included
What you'll do
Continue your day with a visit to the charming Kera Kardiotisa Monastery. Perched on top of the mountain range of Dikti, the views from this mountaintop haven are breathtaking. Step into history with a visit to the monastery, led by your knowledgeable guide. You can explore the museum, filled with magnificent Byzantine icon paintings dating back to the 14th century. Get to know the nuns who call this historic building their home as you interact with them and hear their captivating stories about the site and its rich history.
Now your driver will whisk you to Chania Old Town for your midday break. It's recommended that you take your time to rest and ask your guide for recommendations on tasty eateries. This will give you the energy you'll need for your next destination, which involves a steep hike. So, take your time, rest, and treat yourself to a Greek coffee.
Drive to Lasithi Plateau, where you might see eagles and vultures, as both nests around this area. You'll reach the base of Mount Spathi and hike up for 15 minutes, a distance of 6 miles (1 km), to reach the Dikteon Cave's entrance. After the brief hike, take a moment to catch your breath as you soak in the breathtaking panoramic view of the plateau and inhale the fresh mountain air. Once you get inside, you'll follow the 200 steps down into the cave and enjoy the mysterious atmosphere.
Start times
-
Daily9:00 am
What's included
- Hotel pick up and drop off Bottled water per person English-speaking
- Driver Licensed local knowledgeable guide Dikteon Cave
- Full Traditional Cretan lunch
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The Arkadi Monastery is an Eastern Orthodox monastery. The current catholicon (church) dates back to the 16th century and is marked by the influence of the Renaissance. This influence is visible in the architecture, which mixes both Roman and baroque elements. As early as the 16th century, the monastery was a place for science and, had a school and a rich library. Situated on a plateau, the monastery is well fortified, being surrounded by a thick and high wall. The monastery played an active role in the Cretan resistance of Ottoman rule during the Cretan revolt of 1866. 943 Greeks, mostly women and children, sought refuge in the monastery. After three days of battle and under orders from the hegumen (abbot) of the monastery, the Cretans blew up barrels of gunpowder, choosing to sacrifice themselves rather than surrender. The monastery became a national sanctuary in honor of the Cretan resistance. 8 November is a day of commemorative parties in Arkadi and Rethymno. The explosion did not end the Cretan insurrection, but it attracted the attention of the rest of the world.
After that you will visit Eleftherna, an ancient city-state in Crete, which lies 25 km southeast of Rethymno. Archaeologists excavated the site, located on a narrow northern spur of Mount Ida, the highest mountain in Crete. It flourished from the Dark Ages of Greece’s early history until Byzantine times.
In the systematic Eleftherna project, a team of archaeologists from the University of Crete led by Prof. N. Stampolidis has been in charge since 1984. Surveys and systematic excavations have revealed the city’s settlement patterns, sanctuaries and necropolis in Orthi Petra, even stone quarries in the surroundings of the Prines hill. The discovery of the remains of four females in Orthi Petra was declared one of top 10 discoveries of 2009 by the Archaeological Institute of America. The Museum of Ancient Eleftherna, directly linked to the archaeological site, was inaugurated in June 2016.
The next stop will be at Margarites, a scenic traditional Cretan village. You will walk on the stone paths of the village and admire the pottery traditional shops around. Then, leaving Margarites, you ‘ll have lunch in Asteri village. The unique restaurant with the folklore private collection and the traditional Cretan delicacies will take your breath away.
Coastal Fishing Adventure with Experienced Fishermen
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