• Enjoy spectacular views as your coach climbs 3,000-foot Mount Dikti.
• Study colorful 14th-century paintings at the 17th-century Eastern Orthodox Kera Monastery.
• Appreciate vistas of magnificent mountains surrounding a windmill-dotted valley.

• View the ruins of the original palace of Knossos, the 1900 BC capital of Minoan Crete.
• Study painstakingly restored remains unearthed during an early 20th-century excavation.
• Immerse yourself in the region’s one-time ceremonial and political center.
• Enjoy time on your own for exploring or shopping in compelling Heraklion.

• Explore the Palace of Phaistos, once occupied by King Minos’ brother, King Rhadamanthus.
• Appreciate the palace’s commanding hilltop position above the Messara Valley.
• Discover ruins of two palaces, one built in 1400 BC after the destruction of the original 300 years earlier.
• Find stately courtyards, a theater and other evidence of the Minoans’ advanced development.
• Admire the Palace of Phaistos’ stunning views of storied Mount Ida and the Messara Plain.

See Heraklion’s highlights at your own pace by riding a double-decker bus around town, hopping on and off whenever you please at the attractions you find most intriguing.

After departing from the pier, you will explore the destinations that are most appealing to you. Simply hop on one of the buses and then hop off when it reaches an attraction of interest from the nine designated stops. You might hop off at the Natural History Museum of Crete, whose exhibitions include dioramas of various ecosystems, terrariums with animals found in the Eastern Mediterranean and a simulator that allows you to safely experience earthquake tremors.

The buses also stop at the Gate of Jesus within the fortified city walls and at the grave of author Nikos Kazantzakis. Born in Iraklion, the prolific writer is best known for novels such as Zorba the Greek and The Last Temptation of Christ. Knossos is another enlightening stop. Once the capital of ancient Minoan Crete, it was first inhabited in the 7th millennium BC, and its grandeur has been slowly revealed through archaeological excavation. The palace that once stood here was the seat of power of the legendary King Minos. Stay for as long as you like at the attractions and then hop on another bus whenever you’re ready. The buses operate throughout the day and make a continuous loop around Heraklion’s must-see landmarks.

When you arrive to the old town you'll enjoy a guided walking tour through the Old Town's most popular spots where you will learn historical and cultural facts about this astonishing town!

• See the landmarks in Heraklion from a sightseeing bus with an open-air second level.
• Pass historical attractions that include the centuries-old fortified walls and Koules Castle.
• View contemporary sites such as the tomb of Heraklion-born author Nikos Kazantzakis.
• Pause on occasion for photos of the attractions./li>
• Enjoy a guided walking tour though Old Town.

• Learn to prepare dishes that the ancient Minoans ate.
• Learn about the Minoan diet and culture that thrived on Crete thousands of years ago.
• Dine on Minoan-style cuisine, some of it prepared in an ancient style of oven.

• Dine at a rustic but elegant restaurant that occupies a historical mansion in Old Town.
• Savor a meal of traditional Cretan cuisine prepared using ancient cooking techniques.
• Get a glimpse of Heraklion’s history at the ancient fortress that overlooks the old Venetian port.

• Gain an overall understanding of Heraklion on a panoramic driving tour.
• Stop to snap photos of the Holy Cathedral Temple of Saint Titus.
• Spend free time browsing the seemingly endless items in the Central Market.

• Enjoy spectacular views as your coach climbs 3,000-foot Mount Dikti.
• Study colorful 14th-century paintings at the 17th-century Eastern Orthodox Kera Monastery.
• Appreciate vistas of magnificent mountains surrounding a windmill-dotted valley.

• View the ruins of the original palace of Knossos, the 1900 BC capital of Minoan Crete.
• Study painstakingly restored remains unearthed during an early 20th-century excavation.
• Immerse yourself in the region’s one-time ceremonial and political center.
• Enjoy time on your own for exploring or shopping in compelling Heraklion.

• Chef-Led tours are never more than 18 guests and always led by the chef instructor onboard.
• Sate your inner epicurean in the wide and rich culinary heritage of Crete’s Mediterranean cuisine.
• Stroll through Heraklion’s Old City with your knowledgeable Chef Instructor and sample Cretan fare.
• Enjoy a sumptuous lunch with wine at a renowned restaurant featuring flavorful authentic island dishes.
• Understand how Crete became known as the birthplace of healthy Mediterranean cuisine by honoring rich, flavor-filled local ingredients.

• Sail to the uninhabited island of Dia for a snorkeling adventure in crystal-clear waters .
• Be amazed by the biodiversity, as the snorkeling site is a protected Natura 2000 cove .
• Add to the scientific data on the cove by recording the marine life you spot .

• Delve into local life in Krousonas, a village on the eastern slopes of the Ida Mountains.
• Browse a convent that was an affluent monastery in the 17th century.
• Converse with shopkeepers, watch a folkloric performance and sample traditional foods.

• Travel in a private vehicle reserved for your party only.
• Follow your own itinerary and visit only attractions you choose.
• Proceed at whatever pace is most comfortable.
• Rely on your personal driver and guide for assistance.

• Travel in a private vehicle reserved for your party only.
• Follow your own itinerary and visit only attractions you choose.
• Proceed at whatever pace is most comfortable.
• Rely on your personal driver and guide for assistance.

• Take inspiring selfies at the most photogenic attractions in Heraklion.
• Follow tips from your selfie tutor to ensure the very best pictures.
• Learn the historical significance of the locales while enjoying their dramatic settings.
• See from the outside the Koules Fortress and its remarkable three-winged Lion of St. Mark marble reliefs.
• Pause at the 17th-century Morosini Fountain, a landmark in Old Town.
• Explore the inland village Archanes village and an old market in Heraklion.

• Travel in a private vehicle reserved for your party only.
• Follow your own itinerary and visit only attractions you choose.
• Proceed at whatever pace is most comfortable.
• Rely on your personal driver and guide for assistance.

• Travel in a private vehicle reserved for your party only.
• Follow your own itinerary and visit only attractions you choose.
• Proceed at whatever pace is most comfortable.
• Rely on your personal driver and guide for assistance.

To ensure that your shoreside experiences are as convenient and enjoyable as possible, we are delighted to offer a complimentary shuttle between your ship and the city center in every port where the ship is not docked within walking distance of the city center. This service runs continuously, aligning perfectly with your ship’s in-port schedule. Best of all, there’s no need to reserve your seat in advance. Simply make your way to the designated stop to board your shuttle, and you’ll be whisked away to the heart of the city. Additional information and schedules can be obtained by visiting the onboard Destination Services Desk during your voyage.

• Travel in a private vehicle reserved for your party only.
• Follow your own itinerary and visit only attractions you choose.
• Proceed at whatever pace is most comfortable.
• Rely on your personal driver and guide for assistance.

• Travel in a private vehicle reserved for your party only.
• Follow your own itinerary and visit only attractions you choose.
• Proceed at whatever pace is most comfortable.
• Rely on your personal driver and guide for assistance.

• Travel in a private vehicle reserved for your party only.
• Follow your own itinerary and visit only attractions you choose.
• Proceed at whatever pace is most comfortable.
• Rely on your personal driver and guide for assistance.

• Travel in a private vehicle reserved for your party only.
• Follow your own itinerary and visit only attractions you choose.
• Proceed at whatever pace is most comfortable.
• Rely on your personal driver and guide for assistance.