Crete Holidays Allow You to Explore Some Delightful Places

One of the largest islands located in the Mediterranean Sea and the largest island of Greece, Crete is an excellent mix of gorgeous beaches, ancient sites, charming cities, and majestic villages. This beautiful Greek island was home to the Minoan civilisation, which is the first advanced society in the European region. While exploring this island, you'll come across the ruins of some of the greatest structures built during ancient times. You'll also get to savour some delectable treats from the Cretan cuisine during your winter holidays spent in this island destination.

Among the popular attractions you'll get to visit while enjoying your Crete holidays is the Samaria National Park, which houses an 18-kilometre gorge. It has been given a place in the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Samaria Gorge slopes down 1,250 metres to the small village called Agia Roumeli situated on the southern coast of the island. Running the length of this gorge is the Tarraios River, which dries up during the summer season and floods at the time of winters. The stony path is open from May to mid-October for the adventure enthusiasts. However, the trekkers need to have a certain level of fitness to embark on this expedition.

For those interested in the history of this island, a visit to the Palace of Knossos can be a delightful experience. It is believed that the palace, which now lies in ruins, was once the residence of King Minos. The residential complex was built with a vast courtyard surrounding it. The courtyard was used as a venue for 'bull-leaping' contests in those times, which involved running towards a bull, catching hold of its horns, and somersaulting over the head of the animal. The palace of Knossos was abandoned during 1,450 BC owing to some reasons yet to be known.

Don't miss visiting Heraklion, the administrative capital and the largest city on the island. It is used as a base for visiting the central part of Crete and the Palace of Knossos. The city gained its present form when the region was under the rule of the Venetians between the 13th and 17th centuries. During this period, the Venetian culture flourished on the island and produced some of the greatest artistic works. While exploring the city, you can also visit the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, which is home to a magnificent temporary exhibition. Some of the intriguing archaeological finds brought from sites across the island have been kept on display in this museum.

You can also visit the former capital of the island called Chania, which is one of the major towns in the western part of the island. Set against the backdrop of the White Mountains, this town overlooks the Aegean Sea and has a unique appearance owing to the Venetian influence. The town can be explored on foot, giving you the chance to witness some of the remains from the 16th century, such as the defensive walls, romantic alleys, and pastel-coloured buildings. You'll also be delighted to visit its 'agora' or covered market, which was constructed in 1911.