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Explore Crete with Carhire3000 |
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Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and a popular tourist destination. The coast offers a variety of long sandy beaches and small rocky coves but, away from the hotels and apartments, the island has a number of significant archeological sites and monuments |
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Rethymnon |
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A popular tourist destination, Rethymnon owes its existance to the Venetians who wanted to develop the town as a harbour and staging port between Herakklion and Chania. The expansion of the town led to the construction of a mighty fortress or “Fortezza” which still dominates the old quarter to this day and offers visitors stunning views of the town and along the coast.
With its foundations built by the Venetian nobility of the 16th century, the old town is one of the best preserved on the island and still retain elements of its aristrocratic heritage with arched doorways and stone staircases, interspersed with oriental features of Turkish influence and traditional Cretan buildings.
The beaches along the coast here are amongst the main nesting sites of the endangered loggerhead turtles. The females are believed to make their way to the very beach where they were born to lay their eggs, usually at night, during the nesting season which spans from May to mid-November. The surrounding beaches are monitored to protect turtle activity and there are a number of charities around the island which protect and patrol the hatching sites. Whilst it is important not to disturb the laying females or impede the hatchlings, if you are lucky enough to be present it is a truly remarkable sight.
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Elounda |
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Elounda is a popular, fairly upmarket, summer resort which was made famous in the 1970s as the location for the BBC Series “Who Pays the Ferryman?”
The current village is located on the southern shores of Elounda Bay, just west from the original village of “Olounda” which historians believe was destroyed by an earthquake in 780 AD. When the weather is calm, the remains of the ancient village are visible on the seabed and many historical artefacts have been found, most of which are now exhibited in the Archaeological Museum in Agios Nikolaos or in the Louvre, Paris.
Many tourists come to Elounda with the purpose of taking one of the boat trips out to the island of Spinalonga. The fortress here was built by the Venetians in 1579 and has been occupied by many forces over the years until it became a leper colony in the early 20th century when lepers from around Greece were taken from their families and sent to live on the island.
Roughly 400 people came to call this island home, knowing that once they passed through the gatehouse (nicknamed “Dante’s Gate”) onto the “Street of Pain”, this would be their home to the day they died. Although isolated, a community was built and as well as deaths, there were marriages and births – although healthy children would be taken away from their parents and back to the mainland. Today the island is deserted and, although restoration work has begun on some of the buildings, the streets remain eerily quiet – a ghost town full of memories. |
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Agios Nikolaos |
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One of the largest settlements in eastern Crete, Agios Nikolaos is a lively holiday spot with a good selection of bars, shops and restaurants. The town’s Archaeological Museum is an interesting excursion with archaeological finds from Neolithic and Roman times.
In the centre of town is Lake Voulismeni, a sweetwater lake where the goddess Athena is said to have bathed. Local legend also once boasted the lake was bottomless, although its depth has been measured in more modern times at 64m. The townsfolk gather around the lake at midnight on Easter Day to mark the occasion with fireworks. |
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Fodele |
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Built amongst orange groves, the village of Fodele is also worth a visit. As well as a pretty park where you can relax in the shade for a moment or two, there is a good selection of craft shops and restaurants. This is the former home of the world famous painter, El Greco, and many tourists come to see his house and museum, about 1km from the village centre.
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Knossos |
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As well as the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete, this is also believed to be the political heart of the ancient Minoan civilization. The site has been vastly excavated and restored to make it more accessible to the visitor. Guides can be hired at the entrance should you prefer a private tour and it is easy to spend a whole day here, exploring the palace and ancient streets. If you visit in the height of summer, remember to wear a hat or bring a parasol as it can get extremely hot.
Knossos is also the legendery home to the Minotaur, half man and half bull who lived in an elaborate labyrinth.
Excavations of this extraordinary site still continue and an extensive conservation programme is underway to halt the deterioration of the Palace. |
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The Samaria Gorge |
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The Samaria Gorge lies in the unspoilt south west of the island, created by a small river running through the White Mountains and Mount Volakias. Today, the gorge is a National Park and attracts many tourists who come to make the 13km walk through the gorge to the shores of the Libyan Sea. A stout pair of shoes is recommended for anyone wanting to make the steep descent from the car park to the floor of the gorge and remember to consult the weather forecast and heavy rains during spring can make parts of the journey dangerous without a guide.
The park is home to the rare Krik-kri mountain goat as well as some rare species of flowers and birds. |
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Chania |
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On the north coast of the island and served by its own international airport, Chania is the second largest city in Crete.
The city has a long history and excavations of the Old Quarter unearthed the remains of an ancient Minoan settlement. Today the city is considered one of the most beautiful in Greece, with a distinctive style of its own where traditional churches and Venetian facades sit alongside domed mosques.
The Old Town sits next to the Venetian harbour, once heavily fortified but now surrounded by delicious waterfront restaurants. The main square is a hive of activity whilst the neighbouring district of Topanas is home to a number of charming old buildings along its narrow winding streets.
Chania has a number of bustling markets, both undercover and open air, which sell all kinds of fresh produce and spices. For a taste of the authentic Crete, these are well worth a visit.
The archaeology museum is also worth a visit. Housed in the Venetian church of St. Fragiskos, the museum holds a number of important discoveries from Neolithic, Minoan and Roman periods.
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