The special Cretan way of life
Greetings to all travel enthusiasts! In sensational Crete love is all around and the next step after reading this is to go out and book yourself some amazing holidays in this extraordinary island. It is the only way for you to experience the special Cretan way of life along with the endless possibilities and activities that come with this sunny welcoming destination.
The archaeological site of Knossos is one of the most noted archaeological sites in Greece and Europe and it is full of important finds. The complex and Palace of Knossos lies 5km southeast of Heraklion city. It was discovered in 1878 by Minos Kalokairinos and the excavations began in 1900 by the English archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans that kept going for 35 years. Knossos flourished for a period of more than 2000 years and it was the capital and trade center of the once great ancient Minoan civilization. The Palace of Knossos is connected with the legends and myths of the Labyrinth, Theseus, the Minotaur, and the story of Daidalos and Ikaros.
The complex had large palace buildings, extensive and advanced workmanship and technology and luxurious tombs. The size and complexity of the buildings is really impressive, the whole complex was carefully planned by the Minoans and all facilities integrate between them (the main palace, storage places, water supply, living places, etc. It is best to first visit the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion before visiting Knossos since all important artefacts from the site are stored there. It is also cheaper to buy a combined ticket for both locations.
Spinalonga is a small islet that is located near Elounda town. It is also known as the Leper Island since it is the place where lepers from Crete and all over Greece were quarantined until 1957. Due to its strategic location it served an assortment of purposes over the centuries. In 1579 the Venetians built a massive fort creating blockhouses at the highest points and a fortification ring along the coast to prevent hostile ships from disembarking.
There were two entrances to Spinalonga and the lepers’ entrance was a tunnel known as “Dante’s Gate” because the lepers had no idea of what was going to happen to them after passing through the tunnel. The last inhabitant of the islet was a priest that left the island in 1962. Today, the uninhabited island is a popular tourist attraction and visitors can have a look at the abandoned leper colony and the fortress as well as swim in the shallow waters of the small pebble beaches. Tourist boats depart from Plaka, Elounda and Agios Nikolaos on a daily basis. At night Spinalonga is lighted and it is a pleasant sight to watch from the restaurants in Elounda Bay.
The Cretan cuisine is also wonderful and world famous so it would be a sin for you to stick only to the customary souvlaki and gyros. A visit to the more traditional taverns will surprise you pleasantly and there are many delightful dishes for you to try. Enjoy the special Cretan way of life with a glass of the local tsikoudia/raki.
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.