Intergalactic trip to Crete
Greetings to all travel enthusiasts! This time round we will take you on a very distant journey and specifically on an intergalactic travel to Crete which is definitely out of this world. Take out the spacesuit from your closet and get ready for lift-off as we embark on a sensational trip filled with natural beauty, rich culture, glorious beaches, wonderful cuisine, and warm people.
The grand Palace of Knossos is a historical landmark that existed as the capital of the Minoan civilisation and was built between 1700 and 1400 BC. It is widely associated with famous Greek legends of mythology like the architect Daedalus who designed the labyrinth where the terrifying flesh eating Minotaur (half man, half bull) was kept for the powerful King Minos. Some years later the Athenian prince Theseus with the help of the King’s daughter Ariadne would manage to kill the Minotaur and become the first person to escape the elaborate maze.
Today it serves as an impressive archaeological site where visitors can get guided tours and admire the palace complex including the famous Minoan columns, the throne room, wall paintings and amphorae. It is the best place for visitors to understand and respect the history, advancement and sophistication of this remarkable ancient civilisation.
Now that we have covered a small part of our Cretan history syllabus it is time to move onto the intriguing subject of geography. Crete is the largest island in Greece with a coastline of 650 miles that apparently includes hundreds of beaches for visitors to explore. Whether you like water sports, deep sea diving, fishing, sunbathing, skinny dipping or even building sandcastles Crete has the shorelines to accommodate your tastes. There is a beach for every day and depending on your mood you can choose between organised and secluded to lively spots with beach bars.
Balos and Elafonisi are the most well-known and amongst the best beaches in the whole of Greece. They genuinely bring a touch of Caribbean spice to the Mediterranean thanks to their stunning scenery, the clear azure waters and the soft white sand. Other great beaches to visit are Matala, Preveli, Vai, Falassarna, Rodakino, Plakias but the list is really endless.
There are plenty of activities in the large island of Crete to keep you busy throughout your whole holiday A fascinating place to visit is the much photographed Old Port of Chania. It was built in the 14th century by the Venetians for commerce and fortification against pirate raids. Walk the narrow alleys across the old town to admire the remarkable architecture and get lost in the magic feeling of age’s past.
At night this romantic port is vivified by a distinctive Venetian-era lighthouse that was remodelled in the form of a minaret by the Egyptians. The old port, just like the whole of the island, is filled with traditional taverns, bars cafes, shops and welcoming people. Do not forget to try the unique Cretan cuisine and drink some tsikoudia/raki (Cretan grape-based brandy) that contains 40-60% alcohol. Afterwards you can dance the night away on the sounds of Zorba the Greek.
This is all for now my dear fellow adventurers. In conclusion please remember that life is short and beautiful and it is strictly up to you to enjoy it and live it to the fullest. Live the Cretan myth and experience an out of this world experience.