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The island of Crete
Crete, the most hospitable island in Europe. Warm days and peaceful nights in locations spread right across this island of wealth and culture make it one of the most desirable locations in Europe for a home in the sun. The sheer vastness of this spectator island enables it to host every possible type of location, from sleepy fishing ports to busy towns and cities, from mountain top villages in the roof garden of Crete to busy beach resorts. It is easy to establish a love affair with this distinctive island. Selecting the ideal locations to visit from the 4 great provinces is all that remains to change your life.
The image the Greek islands conjures up in
the mind is, perhaps, the most appealing aspect of Greece. The
unspoilt sleepy villages with their own identity and customs attract many
tourists from throughout the world.
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Crete the island of History
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The cave of Zeus, chief
among Greek gods, is within the Geo natural park. This picturesque
park is a wonder for the avid walker, with its open terrain providing
opportunity for viewing the parks exceptional beauty. The observatory, that can
be reached by car from Iraklion,
provides panoramic views of the island. On a clear day the famous northern island of Santorini can be
clearly seen. One of most famous beaches on Crete is Matala with its impressive
caves, warm seas, friendly locals and fine foods is within one hours drive from
most areas within the province.
Archanes boasts 70% of all wines from Crete. The
wine is made in the surrounding village vineyards, which date back to the
Minion times. The famous Mesara plain starts along the south coast. This
is a fertile and well irrigated and thus productive green basin. It is the best
agricultural region in the province. Goats are herded by Shepherds to the best
grazing land. This helps to enrich their creamy milk that the shepherds
turn into the famous feta and goat cheeses central to the Cretan diet.
The inland retreats of mountain villages are the ideal location for tourists who wish to getaway from it all and integrate into village
communities. Life is slow and undemanding. The village kafeneon and tavernas
that serve fine, organic, local produce are the central point of the village. Each
is surrounded by Cretan olive groves, wine vineyards and green meadows of
the wild Cretan flowers and vegetation that symbolise the landscape.
These shorter coastlines link the north and south of the island. For
those seeking a quieter way of life, the south coast offers it all from sleepy
isolated coves with stony or sandy beaches accessible only by boat, to long
sandy and shingle beaches accessible by road. The south coast is the
unspoilt virgin side of this magnificent island.
The climate of Crete offers
weather conditions to suit every taste. From January to March, snow covers
the mountain tops; in the warm spring of April and May, Crete
bursts into blossom with wild flowers appearing everywhere, particularly
in the mountains and gorges. The agricultural plateaus also bloom and come to
life. June is comfortably warm with peaking hot day’s. In July and August, Crete basks in
the blazing sun that dries the land. From September to October, Crete slowly
cools down with the famous light winds that fan the island. The clear,
cooler sunny days bring forward Crete’s second
flowering period. The wet season comes in with a bang in November signaling
the beginning of the olive harvest as Crete soaks up
the pure rainfall to fill her water reserves ready for the next year.
The Great Provinces
Crete is divided into 4 great provinces each one equal in importance to the other. In the west is Chania, central west Rethimnon, central Iraklion and east
Lasithi. Each has its own distinctive merits and personality to enjoy.
The Province of Chania
   
Chania boasts some of the most splendid scenery in all of Crete
with no less than 4 areas of exceptional beauty. The first is the Lefka Ori
(white) mountains that tower over the landscape - with a peak of 2452m - is the
predominant feature of this province. This vast mountain range can be seen
from North Africa.
The second area of note is the famous Gorge of Samaria on the Southern side of
the province. The third is the Impros Gorge, and last, but by no means least is
the famous pink beach
of Elafonisi.
Chania truly is a province of captivating beauty.
Chania also hosts a multitude of different activities for the
potential holidaymaker's. The capital of the province, also called Chania, was
once the capital city of the island. Heraklion is now the capital city. Chania
provides a real flavour of all the different civilisations that have visited or
occupied the island over the centuries. The warm atmosphere of the city is
enhanced by the elegant architecture, which is a mixture of old and modern.
Chania is a truly cosmopolitan city with a variety of architecture from
Byzantine, to Turkish and predominated by the Venetian classical style. When
you venture out of the city of Chania,
you enter into the heartland of the province. The road network is constantly
being upgraded to reduce the traveling time to the outlying villages thus
providing easy access to Chania. There are over 350 village communities to
choose from, all offering a warm and friendly invitation to join their
communities for a day. This green oasis with it's olive and orange groves,
imparts a feeling of relaxation and safety. The region also has a network
of monasteries and landmarks to visit, both in the heartland and in the costal
villages.
The main port
of Paleochora
provides ferry links to the island
of Gavdos,
the most southerly island in Europe.
Day trips to see the turtles in the breeding season can be easily arranged from
the port.
The Province of Rethimnon
   
Rethimnon province lies centre west of the island. The province's capital
is Rethimnon. The old part of the town is a monument to the preservation of historical buildings. Rethimnon is a late Minoan settlement and has historically been a strategic location over the centuries. The harbour,
with its landmark fortress, is surrounded by famous fish tavernas. This
setting is an ideal location to relax and enjoy an evening by the calm waters
in the shade of the Venetian lighthouse.
Rethimnon is a magnet for shoppers as the main city (Rethimnon) houses
the large shopping centres that most Europeans are accustomed to, as well as
the many unusual and interesting shops housed in the narrow pedestrian
streets. Also on offer in the capital are the museums of history, folk and
art. The many and varied Cretan festivals add further colour and
adventure creating an exciting location for the visitor and resident alike.
The best of this province is the south with its isolated villages and
slow and peaceful way of life. The gentle sound of honey bees drifting on the famous Cretan winds, creates the ideal location for individuals wishing to escape from it all but retaining the flexibility of having all the amenities of
the main town of Rethimnon on the
doorstep.
The inland villages of Spili and Amari are working agricultural
villages best known for the abundance of the healthy organic produce on offer.
The province also boasts the famous fortress of Fragkokastello, and the
monastery of Preveli. The small costal village of Agia
Galini and the surrounding local areas
are renowned for their friendly welcome for tourists visiting the
southern coast.
The Capital Province of Iraklion
   
Iraklion lies midway on the northern coast of Crete. Iraklion city, a
city that seldom sleeps, is the capital of Crete. The
city is a map of Crete’s
history. Neolithic people were the first to settle followed by the
Minoan's. The harbour thrived under their empire, trading with Asia and Scandinavia. The
Saracens mighty ditch wall surrounds and protects the city. The city prospered
under the Byzantine rule until the Roman empire arrived
and transformed Crete with
such an influence that it is still obvious today.
The hectic life of modern day Crete with its
new bustling shops, blends with the small traditional handicraft shops that
have been in families for generations. Important skills have been passed down through the generations to the younger members of the family thus preserving the important history of traditional crafts for the island.
The city of Iraklion is a Mecca for shoppers where the fashion houses exhibit their latest collections. For the ardent shoppers Iraklion is a
paradise. The extensive supermarkets with easy access provide the ideal solution
for those wishing to stock up with weekly or monthly provisions. The city
hosts the islands most famous museums, particularly the national museum of
archaeology. The province also hosts Greece's second
most important archaeological site, the Minoan Palace of Knossos. This
mighty empire influenced Crete’s
beginnings. The archaeological sites of Phaestos (Festos) and Gortys are
also within the province turning the province into a hub of historical interest.
The Province of Lasithi
   
The
vast province of Lasithi is an awe
inspiring combination of all that the imagination can conspire, not only in
terms of landscape but also in terms of culture and heritage. The fast pace of
the other provinces slows down considerably. The eastern Cretans pride
themselves on their attitude for life which is easy going.
The landscape is typically Cretan with mountains and tiny hospitable villages
providing a sense of relaxation and friendliness. The atmosphere of the
province is infectious. Lasithi has an abundance of fine cities and towns all
within easy reach. Most are within a one hour drive time of a shopping
location. The capital of the province in Agios Nikolaos, hosting the famous
freshwater lake in the centre of the town. The town is a good tourist area and
is a hive of activity.
The province of Lasithi boasts some of the most spectacular tourist
destinations in Greece including the 5 star resort of Elounda, Lasithi plateau,
the islands of Chrissi, Spinalonga (which was home to the last lepers in Europe), the Diktaean mountains, the towns of Neapoli with its magnificent church, the large town of Sitia renowned for its fine wines and Ierapetra's extensive
farming and tourist community.
The most famous beach in all of Crete is
located near to Sitia. Via beach boasts the only natural palm
beach in the whole of Europe, created
when the Saracens, who landed on the beach, discarded their date stones after a
meal thus creating the palm forest with the help of mother nature. The province has a network of monasteries including the distinctive monastery of Toplou.
The avid walker has a choice
of gorges to walk on easy day trips. Many of the gorges are off the tourist
tracks providing opportunity to walk in the peace and quiet of these wonderful
isolated gorge. The famous gorge of Zakros, which leads to the Minoan palace of Zakros, is known locally as the valley of
death because of the extreme conditions prevailing there. Sailing in the
province is ideal with small islands to sail to it is the ideal solution for a
days sailing destinations.
Small peaceful
villages are littered along the coast, especially on the east and south coasts. The
mountain villages of Lasithi are particularly spectacular set within the
wilderness of the heartlands of Crete. Undoubtedly, Lasithi is ideal for an audience seeking a
quiet and peaceful location to visit on holiday.
Lasithi is well documented in the
islands history. The good food and unspoilt costal regions provide an
interesting place to explore.
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Welcome to our World in Kokkini Hani Crete
