Crete
is the largest of the Greek islands,
160 miles long and up to 38 miles
wide. It is believed that Crete
was settled before 7000 BC and
the Neolithic period. Archeology
enthusiasts can visit the underground
Neolithic remains of Festos and
Knossos which was the largest Neolithic
settlement in Europe. The following
Bronze period brought the Minoan
civilization, thought to be Europe’s
first advanced civilisation, and
the legendary King Minos. The palace
of Knossos outside Crete's main
city Heraklion, is believed to
have been the center of Minoan
civilization between 3000-1400
BC. It was in these years that
the island’s significant
development took place making it
a centre for marine, trading and
art.
Crete’s position between
East and West, between Europe and
the Sahara, has shaped its geography
and its wildlife. The land is varied
as mountain ranges rise to more
than 8,000 feet, while Europe’s
deepest gorge winds for twelve
miles through rock walls at times
1,000 feet high. Long sandy beaches,
clear blue sea surrounding the
island and the picturesque limestone
mountains topped with snow until
late spring, provide the perfect
Mediterranean mixture for all tastes
in a holiday.
Crete is
a very popular destination for
walkers and hikers all year
round and it is the southern end
of the European E4 hiking route
that starts from the Pyrenees.
Western Crete is known for its
walks and cycling, and it is also
here that you can experience the
traditional lifestyles of shepherds,
olive growers, beekeepers, vintners
and fishermen. A tour is recommended
to get the most from a visit to
the famous Samaria gorge, Europe’s
longest gorge at 18 kilometers
in length. In Eastern Crete, April
is an excellent time for bird watchers
and botanists, as well as autumn
when the migrating birds are returning
to Africa. Far Eastern Crete is
said to be the least visited area
of the island, and dominated by
the Thripti Mountains and the highlands
of the Ziros Moors with its thriving
shepherd communities. The further
East one goes, the more gentle
the hills become and it is used
as an important agricultural area
for bananas, olive trees, vineyards
and vegetables throughout the year.
The centrally located area around
the town of Heraklion is desirable
if you are simply seeking the ease
of an inclusive beach resort holiday.
There are plenty of packages to
the four and five star hotels in
this area, a short distance from
the international airport and with
the most connections to the UK.
Known to be one of the healthiest
in the world, the Cretan
diet consists of fresh fish, fruit,
vegetables,
cheese, honey, its “sacred” olive
oil and of course the popular local
wines. When dining in the wide
range of casual tavernas, you’ll
find the familiar Greek dishes
such as moussaka, calamari, yoghurt
and honey, but also Cretan culinary
traditions such as vegetable pies
and mountain lamb. In the larger
towns it is also possible to find
a choice of international restaurants
serving Italian, Chinese and Moroccan
amongst other ethnic cuisines.
The island of Crete offers a warm
Mediterranean hospitality for all
types of leisure interests including
beach holidays, walking, hiking,
cycling and water sports, set amongst
an archeological history that was
truly part of the cradle of western
civilisation. Evidence of the richness
of Crete’s history can be
seen throughout the island in the
diversity of the remains of Minoan
palaces, Byzantine churches, the
towns of Chania and Rethymno with
their beautiful Venetian buildings
and Turkish minarets.
|
