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June 2007 |
Home to Greece's oldest civilization - the Minoans - Crete is a must-see destination for history and mythology fans.
Crete is the largest of the Greek Islands and enjoys a temperate climate in the southern Aegean Sea. The island is popular with both domestic and international tourists for its beautiful beaches, mountain landscapes and energetic nightlife. The capital city is Heraklion.
Visitors to Crete will find warm hospitality and an excellent selection of amenities with urban and rural settings to satisfy a variety of travel tastes.
Formerly a primarily agrarian economy (including olives, of course), the island now derives a sizable income from tourism. Due to the growth of and reliance on the tourism industry, most people, particularly in urban or tourist-oriented areas, English-speaking visitors have few problems communicating. |
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Plains in Rethymno on Crete, Greece
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- Heraklion Knossos Palace
This palace is the source of the famous Minotaur and Labyrinth myth. Knossos Palace was destroyed by an earthquake in 1700 BCE, rebuilt, then demolished again by fire in 1400 BCE. Despite it's rocky history, preserved features of the palace include frescos, pillars and original artifacts.
- Historical Museum of Crete
In the capital city of Heraklion, the museum is open year-round. Exhibits cover Cretan history from early Christian times to present day.
- Ruins & Architecture
Stone, wood, brick and plaster make up most of the building materials found on Crete. Much of the colourful and engaging design demonstrates noticeable Venetian and Turkish influences.
- Beaches
The Cretan coastline affords beach goers endless options from expansive sands to rugged volcanic terrain. Many locations boast vibrant aqua-coloured water.
- Shopping
Located in Heraklion, a central open market in Meidani Square features herbs, spices and other local items. For more selection, boutiques and small vendor kiosks are plentiful across the island. Look for honey, wines and cheeses as well as replica pottery and copper jewellery, but beware of pickpockets. Your money belt will come in handy here.
- Village Tours
Despite increased development and a boom in tourism, many of Crete's rural villages and most of the countryside remains unspoiled. These charming villages are easy to explore and the weathered old world feel makes touring them on foot an experience in itself.
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Chania fisherman, Crete |
- Annual Events
If you're interested in joining in on some of the local celebrations and customs, a few festivals to look out for are:
March 25 - Independence Day
2nd Sunday in April - Cretan Easter
May 1 - Flower Day
June to September - Heraklion Summer Arts Festival
August 15 - Assumption Day
August 29 - Festival of St John the Baptist
September 13-14 - Festival of St Stavros
- Cretan Music
From tradition folk music to modern rock, Cretans love their music - and they love to share it. It won't be challenging to find live performances, but scheduled festivals take place year-round.
- Outdoor Activities
Varied terrain makes Crete ideal for outdoor adventure-seekers interested in walking, hiking, fishing, sailing, biking and rock climbing. Don't forget your camera!
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Chania old harbour lighthouse
Crete has 2 international airports in Heraklion and Hania. From Athens, you can take ferries to Iraklion, Rethymno and Hania. Or from Thessaloninki, you can take a ferry to Heraklion.
Although Crete has temperate climate, the mountains separating northern and southern areas can create sudden weather changes and cause conditions to vary from one end of the island to the other. Autumn is the best season to visit for the combination of warm, but moderate temperatures and ample sunshine.
So go for the food, the festivals, the ancient history or just the island sunshine. But whatever your motives, a visit to Crete will deliver a memorable Mediterranean experience.
*Information on the island of Crete found at greeka.com, en.wikipedia.org and purecrete.com.
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