Amazing Crete
Crete is one of the largest islands of Greece, boasting with monuments, ancient forts, gorges and other natural landmarks, museums and bays all waiting to be explored! When considering that Crete is the birthplace of European civilisation, originating from 2000 BC, there is an impressive amount of culture and history found on the island! This is one of the many reasons the island has become an attractive holiday destination, attracting enthusiastic travellers from all corners of the world!
Biotopes Nature Park is a remarkable ecosystem where rich and wild vegetation flourishes. Here you will have the chance to encounter the edible plants named ‘chorta,’ which in Greek stand for grass, meaning greenery. Visitors discover herbs that have therapeutic attributes, herbal teas, decorative flowers, and aromatic plants that originate from Crete and are considered as rare species. The park is also home to a variety of animals from insects like ants, worms to reptiles like lizards, scorpions, snakes, butterflies, and mammals like hedgehogs which all dwell around the artificial lake the park constructed.
The tiny islet of Gramvousa is a sanctuary surrounded by sparkling deep-blue waters, where the ruins of an ancient 13th century Venetian Castle lie as if still protecting it from pirate raids! At present only the ruins of the castle remain, and thousands of travellers visit the isle to view the ancient fort and the isle’s famous Balos lagoon!
The picturesque and quaint port of Chania was once known as the Venice of the East, where the Venetians in the past built stone walls around the city to protect it from invaders! You will also find an enchanting Venetian Castle at the entrance of the harbour which was built to protect the city of Chania at the time. The area inside the walls is known as the Old Town of Chania where on every corner you will stumble upon buildings, monuments and temples left behind by the Arabs, Saracens, Turks, and Venetians.
The ancient site of Knossos lies merely 5 kilometres south-east of Iraklion. Multiple excavations of the site have brought to light that this location was inhabited as far back as the Neolithic Period during 6000 BC. Later, in 1900 BC the first Minoan Palace was constructed on the ruins of the Neolithic settlement. The palace was destroyed in 1700 BC but fortunately, a new one replaced it. The royal palace covered an area of twenty-two thousand square metres! During 1700-1450 BC the famed Minoan civilisation was at its peak and Knossos was known as the most important city-kingdom. Unfortunately, during these years, the settlement was struck twice with devastating earthquakes but was rebuilt. Within the archaeological site of Knossos, you will encounter a lost civilisation! When strolling through the site you will be amazed by all the ruins left behind. Some of the most preserved and impressive are the Royal Villa, the Royal Temple Sanctuary, the House of the High Priest, and the Great Palace.
As far as your accommodation is concerned, without a doubt in mind, there is no other hotel that compares to Louis Creta Princess Aquapark & Spa in the whole of Crete!