Crete island is the largest of Greece and is located in the south of Greece. Crete
is one of the most famous islands. It is separated in 4 prefectures:
Chania, Heraklion, Lassithi and Rethymno.
The island has everything to
offer: mountainous landscapes, a coast with many beautiful beaches and
rocky coves, beautiful towns and charming villages and harbors,
excellent food, ruins of the Minoan Civilization, one of the greatest
civilization ever, an exciting nightlife…
Not only does
Greece offer over 300 days of
sunshine a year and a healthy diet, the way of life is tranquil and stress
free.
Crete is the largest of
all the Greek islands with over 1,000 kilometres of coastline and rugged
countryside. The scenic beauty of the
island is unrivalled, from its glorious mountain range (which conceals many
historic and charming villages) down to its lower coastal area where you can
explore the quaint towns, bustling harbours, rocky coves and the most stunning
beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see.
The
Jewel of
Crete
Heraklion is the capital of the island but
the real jewel of Crete is the city of
Chania
which is situated in
Western Crete. Tree covered with acacia, citrus, palm,
millions of olive trees and a myriad of wild flowers, the area is an
Eden for birds including
the majestic Golden Eagle and the rare Bearded Vulture. From golden sandy beaches such as the cove of
Almeryda to the more remote panoramic Gramvousa Peninsular, the freedom to
drive, cycle or walk without traffic chaos allows endless hours of relaxation
and exploration.
The
Climate
The climate is relatively mild,
Mediterranean. During the autumn and winter months north and north-west winds
dominate, while in the summer the southerly winds bring the warmth of the
Sahara
Desert.
Chania
Prefecture
has the largest amount of fresh water in
Crete
(65%) and is rich in plants and fruitful trees as well as semi-tropical plants.
The clean beaches of Chania have a tradition of winning the "blue
flags" of
Europe and are accessible for
all ages throughout the year.
Cretan
Cuisine
Crete is a gourmet¢s
paradise! Entertaining the palate comes
easily and suits every occasion and pocket. There is a wide variety of restaurants, traditional tavernas and cafes
offering ¡al fresco¢ dining. The Cretan
diet is internationally recognised as contributing to the longevity of its
inhabitants and as a result, the island has been voted the healthiest place to live by the World Health Organisation.
A
Civilised Heritage
The
island of
Crete
was inhabited over 5,000 years ago by the Minoans, a creative, powerful and
advanced society which mysteriously vanished. The Mycenaean¢s then populated the island followed by the Dorian¢s,
Roman¢s, Byzantine¢s, Saracen¢s and Turks – all civilisations that left behind
remains of their historic period. The
Palace of
Knossos, near Heraklion is said to be
the birthplace of Zeus, the ruler of the sky and King of all Gods.
Health
Service
There is a very high standard of health
care in Crete with two of the most advanced research hospitals in
Greece, one of
which was completed in 2000.
Education
The education level of Crete has been built
from the foundation of the
University of
Crete. This has
improved the quality of life of the Cretan population and more than 70% is now
thought to speak English.
Roads
Greece receives
considerable grants from the EU for development which has allowed a rapid
improvement in
Crete¢s infrastructure. The most important road on the island is the
National Highway
which runs its entire length from east to west
Crete.
Airports
There are two international airports
located at Heraklion and Chania and a domestic airport at Sitia. If you are transporting pets to
Crete, this can only be done via Heraklion airport.
Ports
Crete has developed an
important port infrastructure. The international port at Heraklion transports
goods, vehicles and passengers. The National port at
Souda
Bay,
Chania has high passenger and commodity activities. Both ports connect Crete with mainland
Greece.