Crete

Crete or Creta is the largest island in Greece and it is located at the Southern part of the country surrounded by the cool waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Divided in 4 prefectures (Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion and Lasithi) this magnificent island offers its pure magic in its loving people, charming villages, sensual tastes and vivid images.

Going to CRETE it is necessary to buy the guidebook on this huge and diverse island. Often it seems, that Crete, is an independent continent, and still it is the real island, steep, prospering, cosmopolitan, with its amazing and unique history.. On Crete one can find everything that should be expected from ideal Greek island: the rich beach coast mastered by tourists, wild mountain landscapes,forgottenvillages, and hospitable residents who always welcomes you wherever you come.

During the history Crete is known as an island with the most ancient civilization. Frankly speaking only at the begging of the 20th century, while ecscavation in Knossos and Feste they found some real facts that supported myths about Minoth and his palace. During the long history, authority above island passed from Greeks to Romans, then to Saracens, then to Byzantines who have conceded island to venetians, during two centuriesTurks had their time on the island;within the second world war here was the Germans time...

The History of island is rich, an influences of conquerors is reflected in monuments of culture and art.

Today prospering agriculture presumed Crete’s to live without tourists, nevertheless tourism develops and encourages in every possible way. The best way to study Crete is to rent a car and to go round the most interesting corners of the island. Any corner of Crete has its own admirers, it is very difficult to allocate any especially bright places of interest (except for Knoss the Palace — a palace of the Minotaur. If you look for more secluded place go to direction of Hani and far.There rise monumental White Mountains; there are the fresh-water lakes, the glorified gorge Samaria. If you go to East – you can also see   a chain of the isolated beautiful beaches in area ofSiti.  Certainly leave noisy and stuffy Iraklion as soon as possible (but only after visiting the Archeological museum)

Two more important congestions minors antiquities –approximately in the middle of island in the south, and in area Malija on northern .But wherever you go, you will not be able to hide from the evidence of the turbulent history of the island, whether it is perfectly kept Minoi city of Gurnja, near to resort Aginos Nikolas and prestigious Elunda, magnificently located palace in Zakros atthe east coast, not less meaningful monuments in the West.

Fortresses and castles  Retimino and frango castello are turned to be unexpectedly impressing , good frescoes in the hundreds of Byzantine churches especially famous in Critsa village, ancient Venetian and Turkish quarters in Hanie  and Retimino  are interesting as well.

Summer in Crete is longer than on the other Greek territory. The season here lasts since April till the end of October; it is possible to swim since May till the beginning of November.

One misfortune is  a wind Meltemeni, blowing from the north longer and more strongly than on other islands. It blows more often in the end of August-September though it is not disaster, it brings moisture owing to what, and year’s heat on island hardly becomes weaker...