Mediterranean Climate
Due to its privileged geographical position in the Mediterranean, Crete is characterized by mild climate, with rainy winters and hot, dry summers. The sunshine lasts almost the whole year while warm weather is enjoyed for nine months of the year from April to November and winter are just December to March. The hottest months are July and August but generally because of the sea breeze and the effect of the etesian winds, the summer is relatively cool and makes your stay at the island really pleasant!
Crystal Clear Water
Located between the southern side of Aegean Sea and the northern side of Libyan Sea, with a coastline of 1,046 m, Crete offers an amazing variety of beautiful beaches. Whether you’re into watersports, skinny dipping or good old-fashioned sunbathing, the island almost certainly has a stretch of sand to suit your tastes.
From west to east, here are some of the most beautiful beaches in Crete:
Among the most exotic beaches are Balos, a wonderful place with crystal Caribbean-like water, Elafonissi on the westernmost sport of the island, as well as the sandy beach of Falassarna, all of which are located in Chania. In Rethymno, you will find the 9km long wide sandy beach of Georgioupolis, Plakias beach on the south coast which sits on a beautiful wide bay surrounded by mountains, the hidden tropical paradise of Preveli beach, and more. Do not miss Matala beach in Heraklio region, once known for its cave-dwelling hippy community, which is a very beautiful beach with unusual rock formation and plenty of history and Keratokambos beach, a wild remote beach, where you can escape and find the wind in your hair. If you are a windsurfing lover, Kouremenos beach, in Lassithi, is one of Crete’s top windsurfing spots, long sand-and-pebble beach. Vai Palm beach, a sandy paradise, is one of the most unusual beaches in Europe, home to picturesque and unique palm forest and crystal clear waters.
Nature
Apart from the gorgeous beaches, the island offers rocky summits, steep slopes, alpine zones, verdant mountains, dry lands, gurgling rivers, scenic ponds, Mediterranean woods, wetlands, fertile meadows, vineyards and olive groves. It hosts the largest number of gorges in Greece, numerous caves, and natural parks – natural sceneries ready to explore by foot, boat or car.
Activities
Crete offers a very wide range of options for experiences that will follow you forever, most of which are related to nature. There are hundreds of villages and other small towns which offer different activities. There are truly individual and unique places – any mood, any pace, any style or setting exists here. There are walks, climbs, drives and rides that take you across stunning plateaux, dramatic mountain and seascapes.
The activities include cycling, trekking and climbing, off-road explorations, golf, diving, windsurfing, surfing, kayaking and more.
History
The Crete history is long and marked by many historical periods. The island has been inhabitted since Neolithic times but for most people its history begins with the Minoan civilization.The island has many archeological sites of note which include Knossos, Phaistos, and Gortyn, all with significant architectural remains as compelling evidence of Crete’s long and varied history.
Culture
Crete has a people noted for and conspicuous in their hospitality and tradition of welcoming visitors. The traditions and culture offered in art, food and crafts play a large part in this picture. It combines European ways with the uniquely local. There is also a long and rich musical tradition with deep roots in antiquity, strongly influenced by the Byzantine music and enriched by the musical culture of the wider eastern Mediterranean.
Cretan Cuisine
If you’re a foodie, you will be in heaven in Crete, where ‘locavore’ is not a trend but a way of life. Rural taverns often produce their own meat, cheese, olive oil, raki – strong spirit made from grapes – and wine, and catch their own seafood. Follow a gourmet trail across the landscape and you’ll delight in distinctive herbs and greens gathered from each hillside, cheeses made fresh with unique village- or household-specific recipes, and honey flavored by mountain herbs. The Cretan diet is among the healthiest in the world. Pair your meal with excellent local wine, and cap it off with a fiery shot of raki.
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