DISCLAIMER: All photos used in this post are part of my personal archive. Please do not use without permission! Thank you! Athens is a city where time folds elegantly upon itself—where the marble columns of antiquity cast their shadows over bustling modern avenues, and each street corner whispers tales from a glorious past. As the… Read More Athens, Greece: Where Ancient Wonders Meet Vibrant Modernity
The Agia Triada Monastery, located in the Akrotiri peninsula north of Chania is a must see if you wander in the area. You can stop here on your way to Seitan Limani or go for a visit after you arrive at the airport, as it is very close (3km – 5 mins drive). The monastery… Read More Agia Triada Monastery – the quiet oasis of Akrotiri Peninsula, Crete
Chania, agapi mou ❤ Well, I have been so many times in Crete, but for the 8th of March in 2023, I took my mom to my second home. This time, we chose Chania, as I have never been there. Long story short, Chania dates back to the Minoan period, when it was called Kydonia.… Read More Chania – the queen of the western Crete
I have always said that the beaches from southern Crete are special. I don’t know if it’s because they are non-touristy as everyone flocks in the north or west, but they have a magical vibe. Also, on all I’ve been so far (Myrtos, Preveli, Ierapetra) they look gray from the distance, as they are pebbled… Read More Matala – a place with a unique vibe
Just a few kilometers away from Chania, in the Souda bay, lies an impressive tribute to all those who lost their lives in the World War II to defend Crete. It was built and is preserved by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and 1527 soldiers are buried here. · United Kingdom: 862 soldiers · New… Read More Allied War Cemetery from Souda Bay
When we first arrived in Crete and stayed in Rethymno, we received a city map from the hotel and the first thing the girl from the reception circled was the Fortezza. I have read about it on several blogs and websites and that is a must see at sunset. And this is what we did… Read More Fortezza of Rethymno – a must see at sunset
Rethymno was the place where we stayed when I first came to Crete. It was love at first sight. Why did we choose it? Well, I had Balos and Elafonissi on my list, therefore we needed a place pretty close to them, as we landed on Heraklion airport (in 2020, flights to Chania were once… Read More Rethymno – the place where I fell in love with Crete
One of the most iconic places in Crete is Arkadi Monastery. Its façade appears on all tourist leaflets that promote the island, together with the beaches of Balos, Vai, Preveli and the landmarks of Heraklion (Koules), Rethymno (Fortezza) and Chania (Venetian Harbour and Mosque). Arkadi (Μονή Αρκαδίου – Monastery of Arkadi in Greek) has played… Read More Arkadi Monastery – “Freedom or Death” (Ελευθερία ή θάνατος)
Spinalonga (Σπιναλόγκα or Καλυδών – Kalydon, as it is officially named in Greek) is an island in the Elounda Bay and the second most visited place in Crete (after Knossos). The origin of the name, although it sounds Italian (spina = thorn, longa = long), has its roots in the Greek phrase στην Ελούντα (stin Elounda)… Read More Spinalonga – the last leper colony of Europe
When I booked the trip to Vai, I saw that a visit to Toplou Monastery was also in our schedule. I am not a religious person, but I know that all monasteries in Crete have a story to tell. And that usually involves hundreds of years of existence, the Ottoman resistance, earthquakes, WW2 resistance and… Read More Toplou Monastery
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