Crete, Greece. Check Out This Mediterranean Pearl
Crete is the largest island in Greece and the fifth largest one in the Mediterranean Sea. When visiting this jewel, you can explore the remains of ancient civilizations, discover white beaches with crystal blue water, landscapes covered in mountains, valleys and steep gorges, or simply feast on the gastronomic wonders. There is much to see. Crete has, after all, been desired and wanted by civilizations for thousands of years. Discover why for yourself.
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| Old lady doing old crafts-work in a small city |
Dora the Explorer or Indiana Jones
Crete is regarded as one of the Mediterranean’s historical centers, being the location of the earliest recorded civilization in Europe, the Minoan civilization (2700-1420 BC). This is the ideal destination for a young Indiana Jones to hunt for ancient history or treasure. And there are plenty to pick from. One thing the ancient civilizations were good at was building structures that would last forever. Many of the remaining structures are largely connected with the ancient Greek Gods but also with the Minoan civilization. Furthermore, Crete has been occupied and invaded by almost all the countries in the Mediterranean at least once, so for the trained archeologist/treasure-hunter there is plenty to explore.What to choose
All the Greek Islands have tons of old temples dedicated to the Greek Gods, especially to the goddess of love, Aphrodite and the god of war, Ares. Seems like not much has changed in the past thousands of years. It is all about love and war.Read-up on your ancient Greek history or just enjoy the beautiful well-kept sights.
The most popular tourist destination is Knossos, a ruin that dates back to 7000 BC. This was the home of King Minos, where Daedalus constructed a labyrinth to retain Minos’ son, the Minotaur. Knossos was also where Icarus, Daedalus’ son, flew too close to the sun as they tried to escape King Minos.
Another sight is The Idaion Cave at Mount Ida, the birthplace of Zeus according to Crete history.
Phaistos is a destination worth a visit. It is an old Bronze age city from around 3000 BC, which is believed to have been a part of the kingdom of Knossos. Discover the ruins and contemplate the rumors that Europa and Zeus made love and conceived the Kings of the Minoan civilization.
Not fed-up on ruins yet? The island of Kousonisi hosts the remains and ruins from every war from Minoan and Roman to World War 2, and various other stories and places to visit.
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| Lady doing crafts-work in a village |
Modern World
In the mood for more modern culture? Crete is a destination for sun, sand, and sea. Crete is home to crystal clear water, kind people, and beautiful scenery. If you do not speak the language, fear not. After enough of the local Raki you will.The climate in Crete is primarily temperate, with mild winters. Snow will cover the mountains in winter but rarely makes it down the mountain.
The South coast enjoys more sunny days and higher temperatures than the North.
Where to go
Crete is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Greece. Overall, more than two million tourists visit Crete every year. Depending on what kind of vacation you are looking for, Crete has a bit of everything.Heraklion and Chania are beautiful bigger cities, they have narrow streets and amazing old architecture but also gives you the option of all kinds of different dining and entertainment at night.
Want a more local vibe? Crete is filled with small, cozy cities, and the people are kind and welcoming. Learn old crafts, drink local spirits and laugh at the jokes in languages you do not understand.
If you want stunning beaches, Elafonisi south of Chrisiskalitisa and Vai Beach is highly recommended. For luxury, visit Elounda. If in a party mood, Malia is the place to be.
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Time to Visit
While here, why not engage in some local cuisine? Raki is the traditional drink you should try at least once while visiting. If you choose to eat in the more local and authentic places Raki is often served along with the bill, or coffee after the meal. Complimentary of course. Half the reason, I believe is for the locals to watch the tourists drink it and see the reactions. Another liquor is Grappa, a Greek tradition. You can find a Socrates in most small towns who is distilling the leftover grapes in his basement and claims to have the best recipe for Grappa in all of Crete.
Food-wise Crete is famous for the freshness and quality of the ingredients and the use of herbs and olive oil. Greek Kebab is the country’s original fast food; meat served in a pita with salad and tzatziki.
Cretan cheese is another famous thing to feast on. If you love cheese as much as I do, it is a little piece of heaven. They are all made of goat or sheep’s milk. Anthotyros is one of the traditional cheeses in Crete. Try both the dry and fresh version. Kefalotiri is a hard cheese. It tastes salty and strong. Mizithra is a fresh cheese and Graviera is a classic hard cheese with a buttery taste.
Nightspots
Most bigger cities have nightlife, but watch out for English tourists; these people, once they get drunk, have a way of being the least charming individuals you will ever meet.
Getting around
Being a pearl of the Mediterranean Sea, you would, of course, want to see as much of the island as possible while visiting. The bus system is quite efficient and cheap. If just seeing the local places, bikes are a nice way to get around and stay fit in the smaller cities. Taxis are relatively cheap, but a car is the easiest way to explore the island.Insider tip: remember if hiring a car make sure to check the small print, often it says that you must only drive on surfaced roads for the insurance to cover, and many routes in Crete, looking fine on the maps, are gravel once reached.
* All photos are private and taken by me
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