CRETE
Heraklion - Chania - Agios Nikolaos - Lasithi
The largest island in Greece, Crete is renowned for its pin-up beaches, wild natural beauty, exquisite cuisine and thousands of years of culture and history. As Crete’s most celebrated author, Nikos Kazantzakis (of Zorba the Greek fame), once wrote: “The mystery of Crete runs deep. Whoever sets foot on this island senses a mysterious force coursing warmly and beneficently through their veins, sensing their soul beginning to grow.” Unsurprisingly, this mystical, pure and generous island to the south of the Aegean Sea captures the spirit of Greece and enchants everyone who visits. Heraklion, Rethymno, Chania, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, Ierapetra, Malia, Hersonissos, Sitia, Sfakia… wherever you visit, it’s an island of thousands of vibrant images, filled with an open-hearted and vivacious spirit, rich history, world-famous cuisine and hospitable people.
Heraklion
Heraklion is a multifaceted seaside city in Crete that embraces both past and present. The vibrant city of today, with squares and pedestrian walkways, is filled with youthful energy, restaurants and bars, but so much of its charm still concentrates around the Old Town and its romantic Venetian harbour.
Heraklion has excellent museums and one of the largest aquariums in Europe. And for history buffs, without doubt the most fascinating ancient treasure of the region (also known as Heraklion) lies just beyond the city limits. Knossos Palace wasn’t just the most important centre of Minoan civilisation but it was the home of the legendary Minotaur and its labyrinth. Sound interesting? Well, let’s introduce you to the best of Heraklion.
Domestic products: Cretan cheese "Xinomizithra", Raki, Cretan Gruyere, Olives, Olive oil, Wine, Escargot, Honey, Dakos, Wild greens, Herbs.
Destination Features
Heraklion Hots spots
Accommodation
Accommodation
Accommodation
Accommodation
Accommodation
Heraklion
Hersonissos
Lifestyle
Lifestyle
Culinary
Culinary
Culinary
Culinary
Culinary
Culinary
Matala
Lyrarakis Winery
Daskalakis Winery
Douloufakis Winery
Olive oil tasting
Aquaworld & Aquarium & Reptile rescue center
Bungee jumping
Snail farm
Waterpark
Knossos Palace
Heraklion Archaelogical Museum
Castello del Molo
Natural History Museum of Crete
Historical Museum of Crete
Chania
It seems that Chania was always one of the most popular destinations in Greece. Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Ottomans… all came through Chania settled here at one time or another, creating the multicultural corner of Crete we can enjoy today.
Wandering around the port of Chania, you’ll encounter the Venetian lighthouse, the Grand Arsenal, Kum Kapi and Halepa. And beyond the town, you’ll find the famous beaches of Agia Marina, Stalos and Platanias. Go a little further still and you’ll reach exotic Balos and Falasarna, two of Greece’s pin-up beaches.
And in southern Chania, the world-famous Samaria Gorge invites you to explore it. So much to do, so little time in which to do it!
Domestic Products: Cretan cheese "Xinomizithra", Raki, Cretan gruyere, Olives, Olive oil, Wine, Escargot, Honey, Dakos, Wild Greens, Herbs
Destination Features
Chania Hot spots
Accommodation
Accommodation
Accommodation
Accommodation
Accommodation
Chania
Culinary
Culinary
Culinary
Culinary
Antikristo is one of the oldest and most unique techniques of cooking meat and is traced as far back as the ancient times of Homer’s Iliad. Antikristo is a traditional way of cooking that can be found in different parts of the world but is deeply rooted in Cretan culture, especially in the mountainous areas. It is a technique that has been embraced from soldiers in ancient times, to those in the Byzantine Empire, by the rebels during the Turkish occupation and shepherds and herdsmen throughout time. The procedure of cooking Antikristo almost reminds you of a ritual. To make Antikristo, the cook will typically use a young lamb or on some rare occasions, a goat. The animal is cut up in four, seasoned with salt, and passed through huge wooden skewers that are later on placed around the fire.
Boat trip
Boat trip to Gavdos
Balos
Seitan Limani
Kedrodasos
Elafonisi
Falasarna
Surfing
Elephant Cave
Limni Kourna
Samaria Gorge National Park
Chania cruise
Botanical Park & Gardens of Crete
Manousakis Winery
Archaelogical Site of Aptera
Rethymno
The main town of the Cretan prefecture that carries the same name, Rethymno hides its secrets in plain sight. Walking around is like travelling back in time, to the period of Venetian rule in Crete. The Fortezza (fortress) sits atop Rethymno’s magical old town like a crown. And you can hear the echoes of the sea and as you walk along the Venetian port with its old lighthouse and get lost in the maze of alleyways, admiring the ornate doorways and the Venetian crests that decorate them. You’ll also visit the mosques with their minarets and hop between the dozens of shops, restaurants and cafes that give Rethymno its special atmosphere. And as a final bonus, Crete’s longest beach – all 12km of it – awaits just outside town.
Domestic Products: Cretan cheese " Xinomizithra", Raki, Cretan gruyere, Olives, Olive oil, Wine, Escargot, Honey, Dakos
Destination Features
Rethymno Hot spots
Accommodation
Accommodation
Accommodation
Accommodation
Accommodation
Rethymno
Culinary
Culinary
Culinary
Culinary
Culinary
Culinary
Culinary
Culinary
Boat trip
Boat trip to Gavdos
Preveli
Schinaria
Fragocastelo
Triopetra
Preveli Palm Forest
Imbros Gorge
Monastery of Arkadi
Lasithi
At the eastern end of Crete, with the Cretan, Carpathian and Libyan seas embracing its coastlines and Mt Dikti rising imperiously over all it surveys, the prefecture of Lasithi initiates you into its abundant and fertile secrets! Internationally known for Agios Nikolaos, Sitia, Ierapetra and Elounda, which have all won the hearts of the travelling public, Lasithi boasts a rich history, a unique natural landscape as well as a series of lesser known but by no means less interesting destinations.
Domestic Products: Cretan cheese " Xinomizithra", Raki, Cretan gruyere, Olives, Olive oil, Wine, Escargot, Honey, Dakos, Wild greens, Herbs
Destination Features
Lasithi Hot spots
Accommodation
Accommodation
Accommodation
Accommodation
Accommodation
Accommodation
Accommodation
Agios Nikolaos
Elounda
Culinary
Culinary
Culinary
Culinary
Culinary
Culinary
Culinary
Boat trip
Boat trip to Chrissi
Boat Trip
Boat trip to Kolokytha