In the modern world, city life often equates to a fast-paced, high-stress environment. The constant noise, the never-ending traffic, the crowds, and the relentless demands of work can leave one yearning for a break, a chance to escape and find peace. Loutro, a small village on the southern coast of Crete, offers the perfect antidote…
Argyroupoli, a picturesque village in the Rethymnon regional unit on the Greek island of Crete, is steeped in history and unique charm. Its rich heritage, dating back to the Minoan and Roman period, continues to shape its identity. From Lappa to Argyroupoli Once known as Lappa, this village traces its roots to the 8th century…
A feast for the senses awaits you at Margaritari’s, a slice of paradise nestled on the beach between Georgioupolis and Rethymno. Picture azure waters, sun-kissed sand, and a place where the salty sea breeze mingles with the tantalising aroma of authentic Greek cuisine. That place is Margaritari’s. Margaritari, at Παραλία επισκοπης, Rethymno 740 55, stands…
Recently I was sitting on a wooden bench overlooking the site of Festos in the Messara Plain south of Iraklion. It was a beautiful day, and my thoughts turned to the Minoans. Who were they? What did they do each day? How did they create the first European civilisation? Why was that civilisation so wonderful?…
Sitia, an enchanting gem on Crete’s eastern coastline, presents a blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. This untouched paradise, free from the usual tourist crowds, offers an authentic Cretan experience with its traditional villages, pristine beaches, and ancient sites. This article will guide you through the allure of Sitia and why it should be…
Crete, the largest and most highly populated of the Greek islands, boasts a plethora of natural wonders that attract thousands of visitors each year. Samaria Gorge – a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve – is a must-visit destination among these stunning landscapes. In this post, with a video at the end, we will dive into the wonders…
Unearth the magic of Hersonissos, a picturesque coastal town nestled along the azure waters of Crete’s North Coast. As an idyllic destination for sun-seeking travellers, this charming locale offers a delightful blend of modern amenities, ancient history, and thrilling outdoor adventures. Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of Hersonissos and create unforgettable memories in this…
Agios Nikolaos, a picturesque coastal town on the eastern side of Crete, offers a captivating blend of natural beauty, rich history, and modern amenities. With its charming harbour, vibrant streets, and diverse activities, Agios Nikolaos provides an unforgettable experience for visitors. In this guide, we’ll walk you through spending a perfect day in Agios Nikolaos,…
Imagine a day spent on an idyllic, world-renowned beach with pink-hued sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters. This dream can become a reality with a day trip to Elafonisi Beach, on the stunning island of Crete. As one of the most popular destinations in Greece, Elafonisi offers visitors an unforgettable experience. In this guide, we’ll walk…
Tucked away on the southern coast of Crete, Plakias offers an unforgettable escape for travellers seeking solace and tranquillity. This picturesque village showcases a unique blend of rugged mountain landscapes, pristine beaches, and vibrant local culture. Visitors come here to unwind, reconnect with nature, and immerse themselves in the authentic Cretan way of life. Journey…
Tucked away in the verdant hills of central Crete, Spili is a charming village that offers visitors a glimpse into traditional Cretan life. With its cobblestone streets, vibrant local culture, and remarkable natural beauty, this picturesque destination is a must-see for travellers seeking to experience the best of Crete. This comprehensive travel guide will highlight…
Nestled on the southeastern coast of Crete, Ierapetra boasts a rich history, stunning landscapes, and pristine beaches. Often overlooked in favour of the more popular destinations in Crete, this quaint town and the nearby Chrissi Island are true hidden gems. This blog post will take you to explore these magnificent locations and uncover their wonders….
Paleochora, a picturesque town on Crete’s southwestern coast, beckons travellers with its stunning beaches, rich history, and vibrant local culture. This captivating destination, also known as “The Bride of the Libyan Sea,” promises a serene escape from the bustling tourist hubs on the island. In this post, we will explore the wonders of Paleochora and…
Welcome to Vamos, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Apokoronas on the Greek island of Crete! This traditional Cretan village has a rich history, stunning landscapes, and a welcoming local community. However, its strategic location near modern facilities and a unique English butcher sets it apart from other destinations. So, please grab a…
Tucked away in the heart of Crete, lies the picturesque town of Moires. At 42Km or 45 minutes South of Heraklion is often overlooked by tourists in favour of the more popular destinations, Moires offers a unique charm and authentic Greek experience. Its vibrant weekly market is one of the town’s major attractions, drawing locals…
A warm sun, pristine shores, and the gentle embrace of the Mediterranean Sea combine to create the magic of Georgioupolis. Nestled in the northwestern corner of the Greek island of Crete, this serene village has kept its timeless charm, offering visitors a unique and enchanting experience. The Journey to Georgioupolis The village lies approximately 38…
The bustling city of Heraklion, Crete’s capital, captivates visitors with its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes. On the island’s northern coast, Heraklion welcomes travellers with open arms, providing them with a unique blend of the ancient and the contemporary. The city’s storied past, dating back to the Minoan civilization, coexists harmoniously with its…
Rethymno, one of Crete’s most enchanting cities, is an alluring blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Crete’s third-largest city is between Chania and Heraklion on the island’s north coast. It boasts a rich history dating back to the Minoan period. With its well-preserved Venetian and Ottoman architecture, narrow cobblestone streets, and picturesque harbour, Rethymno…
Aptera is a unique Archaeological site near the city of Chania Aptera is an amazing Archaeological site high on a hill overlooking the entrance to Souda Bay and the modern port of Chania, just a few kilometres from Chania’s city centre. End of Minoan Period The decline of Aptera began around 1450 BCE, which coincided…
There’s a certain allure to the Greek islands that captivate the hearts of travellers from across the globe. Amongst these enchanting gems, the city of Chania on the island of Crete holds a special place in the hearts of those who venture beyond the traditional tourist routes. As a non-Greek ex-pat, I was enamoured with…
Modern Agia Galini is a charming and picturesque village south of Rethymno that has maintained its authentic Cretan atmosphere while adapting to the needs of its visitors. Nestled on the slopes of the surrounding hills and overlooking the Libyan Sea, it offers a delightful blend of natural beauty, history, and modern amenities. Modern Agia Galini…
The rotating drums full of water, tannins and hides. There seem to be so many people who have never even heard of the Tanneries of Chania. The tanning process in Chania has remained unchanged over the years. The craftsmen use traditional techniques in the tanneries and specialise in tanning cow, goat and sheep hides. To…
I bought a field in Kriti where grew an olive tree,I watered it and pruned it with assiduity,Until I found I owned the groundBut did not own the tree. So I bought the tree, for weeks I thoughtThe haggling would not stop.Now I can pick my olives, and start a little shop.Oh No, they cried,…
The Magnificent City of Gortyn Crete is a beautiful island in the Mediterranean Sea and is known for its stunning landscapes and rich culture. Its history is vast and dates back centuries, but all you will hear of are the Minoans. With the earliest inhabitants arriving in the late Neolithic period. One of the most…
People have been producing Raki for centuries in Crete, Greece. The production of Raki also known as Tsikoudia is an ancient practice and involves a unique distillation process that sets it apart from other spirits. The first step in the distillation process is to create the mash. They mashed the grapes, grape leaves and debris…
Michael Ventris was a British architect and linguist who made an extraordinary contribution to the field of archaeology and philology. He is best known for his groundbreaking decipherment of Linear B, an ancient script that had been undeciphered until Ventris cracked it in 1952. He was also a talented architect, designing a number of notable…
By Evangelos Vallianatos The Finding Just before Easter 1900, Greek sponge-fishers were on their way to the waters of Tunisia when a violent storm threw their boats to Antikythera, a tiny island located just north of Crete in the Aegean. After the storm, the sponge-fishers explored the waters of Antikythera for sponges. One of the…
The City and the countryside of the Province Of Chania, Crete. I am writing my blog today to share with the world, the place where I live. I live and will probably die here in the Province of Chania, perhaps Crete’s finest part. This province lies in the west of Crete and is arguably the…
Birth of Crete – Venizelos Eleftherios Venizelos – The Great Man of Crete Just two years before the Holocaust of Arkadi in 1864, a child was born in Mournies, a village just south of Hania. One of six children, he was the fifth, to be born of Kyriakos from Mournies and Styliani, his mother, from Therisso….
and its return to life There is a large village in the southwestern central area of Chania, Crete, which is called Kandanos. You can get there by following the route to Palaiochora. You will find this village on the road 16Km before Palaiochora. Just before you arrive at Kandanos, you will go through the village…
Lotus Land – The Amari Valley If you drive or take a bus from Rethymno south through Spili to Agia Galini or the Messara Plain, you will completely miss the Amari Valley. Likewise, if you travel south from Iraklion to Festos and to Matala, again you will miss one of the most special areas of…
Deep in the heart of Crete, in the forever wonderful Amari Valley high in the hills south of Rethymno there are five or six villages on the western side of the valley on the slopes of the Kedros mountains. These villages, in 1944, were attacked by the occupying Germans and each one was razed to…
Today is the nutty season in Crete. Perhaps we are all nuts for living on such a beautiful island, but I would live nowhere else. But now nuts are the thing. The lovely chestnut trees are disgorging their wonderful nut for us all to pick up. The nuts are wonderful. They appear in October just…
Whoopa . . . I really love this clip from Zorba the Greek. It is the final moments in the film following the enormous disaster that Zorba caused running logs from the monastery on top of the hill down to the sea. They took the clip on Stavros Bay in the Akrotiri peninsular. Anthony Quinn…
Rebetika is one of those Greek words that has no translation in English. We have referred to it as ‘Greek blues music’ except that it differs from what we call blues music in English. Today we can go into a Greek record shop and see rebetika music either in its own section or just scattered…
We decided to visit the Skinakas Observatory. Here is the blurb info: “The Skinakas Observatory is located on the peak of Skinakas at an altitude of 1750 m., a few kilometres after Anoyia and 60 km from Heraklion. The Skinakas Observatory has been built and operates as part of a scientific research collaboration between the…
Those of you who may have read my book Secret Crete, Searching for my Home, will have come across my visit to Matala in 1966. Or you may have heard the stories from the days when this tiny bay became the hippie capital of Crete. Why Matala in the sixties happened I don’t know, but…
I know that it’s a little after Valentines’s Day on February 14th but this clip from Giannis Kotsiras singing Stin Ygeia Mas in English is just right . . . . Love me tender
What is the Crete Messara Plain and Why is it so Special? The Messara Plain is a picturesque landscape on the Greek island of Crete. It is known for its stunning natural beauty and its unique combination of high mountains, rolling hills, and wide open plains. The area is home to a variety of wildlife,…
After the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC and the foundation of the new Greek Kingdoms, mostly in the east, the island of Crete rose in importance. Hellenistic Greece was a real bed of influence and threat as well as downright attacks on each other, kingdom versus kingdom, state against state. The island…
