Aptera archaeological site is overlooked which means that is not that touristy. That is because it’s not as famous as Knossos or Malia, for example. And because only a history geek will search and read about it and then go visit it 😊. It is located a few kms away from Chania, on the way… Read More Aptera Archaeological Site – history at its finest
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
Did you know that Crete is not only beautiful beaches, turquoise waters, sun and delicious food? Well, taking into account what I read on a daily basis on multiple FB groups, where people ask so many questions I wanted to share with you some things you can do here and that do not imply a… Read More Things you can do in Crete, other than beach-ing
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
The city of Ierapetra (it is written with “i”, not L. So it’s not Lerapetra) is located in the southern part of Crete, approx 1h20 mins drive from Heraklion. It is the southernmost town in Greece and some say that in Europe as well (the southernmost point of Europe is actually the island of Gavdos,… Read More Ierapetra, the southernmost city of Greece
Heraklion is the capital city of Crete and also the biggest one. Although it doesn’t have a beach (the closest one is in Ammoudara, in the west part of the city), there are many things to do and see. It has a tourist open bus that operates as hop-on-hop-off and stops at the main attractions: Knossos Palace,… Read More Things to do and see in Heraklion
The journey through Cretan history continues today with the Archaeological Site of Malia. It is the 3rd largest Minoan site on the island, after Knossos (d’oh!) and Phaistos. According to the legend, Sarpedon, the 3rd son of Zeus and Europe and brother of King Minos of Knossos, ruled here. As its big brothers, the palace… Read More Malia Palace and Archaeological Site
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