Minoan civilization civilization has been described as the earliest of its kind in Europe, with historian Will Durant calling the Minoans "the first link in the European chain". The Minoan civilization is particularly notable for its large and elaborate palaces, some of which were up to four stories high, featured elaborate plumbing systems and were decorated with frescoes. The most notable Minoan palace is that of Knossos, followed by that of Phaistos. The Minoan period saw extensive trade between Crete, Aegean and Mediterranean settlements, particularly the Near East. Through their traders and artists, the Minoans' cultural influence reached beyond Crete to the
Minoan Group plc lead to a site also including spas, a golf course and a natural history museum. Minoan Group plc Minoan Group plc is a Glasgow-based travel and leisure company. Its shares are listed on the AIM (alternative investment market) section of the London Stock Exchange. The Executive Chairman, Christopher W Egleton, joined the company in 1995. Duncan Wilson, former chief executive of Direct Holidays, has served as Managing Director since 2009. Its subsidiaries include Stewart Travel. In May 2017, the group acquired Morningside Travel, which was placed into a division also containing Cruise Kings, Scotland’s Cruise Centre, Golf Kings and Ski