Travel

Crete is the largest and most southern island of Greece, called “The Island of Miracles”.  The island is considered to be a land of eternity with fine sand beaches, with waters like turquoise, and picturesque landscapes. The charm and the magic attraction of the island is increased by the hospitality and by the warmth of the inhabitants and by the clear water of the sea. You will be charmed by the land of this myths, the place of Zeus’s birth, the paradise that awaits tourists since the beginning of spring until late autumn. The history and natural environment of the Greek islands is very different. It is said that in the past the neighbouring islands were enemies. Ancient Greece was not at all a united state. The first Greek civilization developed on the island of Crete.
The first inhabitants of the island came from Africa in the sixth millennium B.C. In successive phases, people have built state-palaces, the famous center-palace of Knossos, Phaistos, Malia, Zakros. Though several centuries later, the island was conquered by the Romans and then by the Phoenicians. During the Byzantine era, the welfare of Crete was presented on the mosaic floors of the basilics and over half of churches across Greece. But many others have already put their eyes on all these riches. First, Crete has fallen into the hands of Arabs (in the 9th century) for a century and a half. In this way they founded Handak, today Heraklion. Then in 1204, the island has gone in the hands of the veniciens. They have strengthened the old castles of Handak and built new ones in other cities. They founded new towns (Hania and Rethymno) and have built fortifications necessary to defend them.

The gastronomy…
The Greeks usually use olive oil for cooking, and their favorite meat is the sheep grill. The Greek aperitif contains tomato, cucumber, melon, slices of cheese, olives and various fruits. In the traditional dishes we find the aperitifs,mezedes, made of melitzanosalad - minced eggplants with oil and garlic lemon, taramosalad - the pasta of roes dolmadakia - beef leaves stuffed with meat or rice). The way is moussaka,  hotchpoten, fried meat or fish, including spits made of lamb or pork - souvlaki. The fish and the shells are excellent. Horiatiki is a Greek salad served with the main way and consists of slices of tomato and cucumber, olives and fetta. The Crete specialities are Graviera cheese (which is yellow) and mizithra a white cheese, often served instead of fetta in Greek salad.
The favorite aperitif is ouzo and of wines retsina. The best wines are those from home and can be found in local taverns. Raki is the local fire water, with the aroma of anise, known as tsikoudo, served either plain or with water and ice.

Places to visit…

Chania is the largest city on the coast of the western part of the island. Is worth to visit the buildings for their Turkish and Venetian influences, for the port of cruise ships along which are taverns, terraces, white towers of churches and lengthy paved streets. Chania is a city full of life. You should not miss the markets full of green olives, Greek cheese, lamb, the traditional pastry specialties. Because it was built on the ruins of ancient fortresses Kydonia, one of the most important cities of ancient Crete, many of the vestiges are still visible. The city was captured by the Venetiens in 1252 and under the influence of their state until 1645, leaving behind fortifications, the main meeting place for inhabitants of the pedestrian street of the city and buildings that meet venetian manner. From 1645 Chania was conquered by the Turks, who repared the  walls of the city and transforme all the  churches into  Mosques.
Heraklio is the largest city in Crete and the main access route for tourists. The city is famous for the two main markets, Plateia Venizelou and Plateia Eleftherias. Plateia Venizelou hosts the famous The Lyon’s Fountain, which is also the center of the city and from where you can go towards all the places of interest: markets in the south, the port of north-east. Heraklio is also proud to have the second largest archaeological museum and important after the one in Athens.
Knosos’s palace
It is in the south-east part from Heraklio and it is the largest palace of the minonian period . Around the year 1700 B.C. the existing buildings on this place were destroyed by an earthquake and then rebuilt at a much larger scale, with 1,200 rooms. One of the greatest cities in the period, had around 100,000 inhabitants. To recreate a part of the atmosphere, Sir Arthur Evans, its descoverer, rebuilt a part of the old structure.

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