Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
had a religious function. Just beyond here are the palace's most important rooms,
including the
Pillar Crypt
behind a stone-paved vestibule, the
Grand Staircase
and
the elevated
Loggia
, most likely used for ceremonial purposes. Still further were
the
royal apartments
, while buildings north of the central court held
workshops
and
storage rooms
.
Buses leave from Iraklio's Bus Station A several times hourly for Malia with a
stop at the palace (€3.80, one hour).
Iraklio Wine Country
About 70% of wine produced in Crete comes from the Iraklio Wine Country, which starts
just south of Knossos and is headquartered in Peza. Almost two dozen wineries are em-
bedded in a harmonious landscape of shapely hills, sunbaked slopes and lush valleys.
Winemakers cultivate many indigenous Cretan grape varietals, such as Kotsifali,
Mandilari and Malvasia; many estates now offer tours, wine museums and wine tastings.
Here are three of our faves, but do check
www.winesofcrete.gr
for more options and look
for the burgundy-red road signs directing you to local wineries.
Sights
Boutari
WINERY
( 2810 731617;
www.boutari.gr
; Skalani; 9am-5pm Mon-Fri year-round, on weekends by ap-
pointment)
In Skalani, just south of Knossos, Boutari is a sleek, modern operation that of-
fers tours as well as sampling sessions in a vast tasting room that overlooks the vine-
yards.
Lyrarakis
WINERY
( 2810 284501;
www.lyrarakis.gr
;
Alagni; 11am-8pm Mon-Fri, 1-6pm Sat Apr-Oct)
In Alagni,
about 25km south of Iraklio, this award-winning winery is famous for resuscitating two
nearly extinct white Cretan grape varieties called Dafni and Plyto.
Minos-Miliarikis
WINERY
( 2810 741213;
www.minoswines.gr
;
Peza; 9am-4pm Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm Sat)
Right on the
Peza main street, massive Minos was the first winery to bottle its product in Crete in
1952. Worth trying: a full-bodied single-vineyard organic red and a fragrant Blanc de
Noirs.