A place of impressive antiquity, Greece’s largest island is the most fascinating of open-air museums, but alongside the ancient ruins there is a rich natural diversity, from majestic mountains to delicate spring flowers that grow along hiking tracks and in canyons. With the longest coastline of any of the Greek islands, a Cretan vacation offers a rich selection of beaches – from Vai near Palekastro in the east to Elafonissi in the west – and wherever you go, a warm welcome awaits to complete your introduction to Greece.
Crete is one of the most frequently mentioned islands in Greek mythology. It is believed to be the birthplace of Zeus the Thunderer, it was here that the goddess Athena bathed in Lake Voulismeni and Heracles defeated the Cretan bull. Crete was the heart of Minoan civilization, the first in the entire Europe. The labyrinth of the Palace of Knossos, the political and religious center of the Minoans, served as a prototype for the maze in the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur.
Once you are tired of the hustle and bustle of Chania, Heraklion and Rethymno, after shopping, enjoying the souvenir stores and seeing all the historical monuments, you can visit the small villages located in the neighborhood and plunge into the world of authentic Greek traditions, taste the famous Cretan cuisine and the local alcoholic drink raki. Create your own recipe for a perfect vacation on an island where every stone breathes history.