12 reasons to slip and go to Crete

On Crete you can only talk in superlatives – the most beautiful sea, the ancient ruins, the most photogenic streets in bloom. What would you do on this beautiful Greek island, you will be fine.

Of all the ideas about how to relax on a Sunny Crete, we chose 12 of the coolest.

 

1. Talk about a kiss for three seas

 

Photos of Balos do not convey a fraction of the beauty that you can see with your own eyes. On the place where merge Cretan, Mediterranean and Ionian sea, clear water poured dozens of shades, and the bottom paved with small pinkish sand.





Rent a car in Chania airport and get to Balos on their own. Dusty road is winding in meter from breakage, but this is minor compared to the amazing views of the sparkling sea.

To admire the Bay from a different angle, join boat trips. First, your boat Moors to island Imeri Gramvousa, where two hundred years ago was hiding the Cretan pirates. On the top of the island loomed the ruins of an ancient fortress. They should rise at least for the stunning photos: here Paradise Cove Crete is especially good. Very soon you will be able to splash around in the lagoon itself — from Gramvousa to Balos beach only half an hour on the ship.

 

2. Turn the wheel of history

 

The ruins of the Palace of Knossos, a monument of Minoan civilization in Heraklion, more than four thousand years. At first glance, the iconic Palace looks like a pile of stones and brightly colored buildings in the square the size of two football fields. But it is only imagination, as the myths of Ancient Greece come to life before your eyes. Here the Prince Glaucus falls in a very tall amphora with honey, but horned Minotaur roams the corners of his maze.





To make the puzzles formed a living picture, after walking around the Palace, look at the Heraklion archaeological Museum. Here are stored the originals of ancient Greek frescoes, ritual axes labrisa and the famous Phaistos disk, over writing which still puzzled linguists all over the world. If you are interested in history, this Museum has all chances to become a favorite: where else can you see so much of the Minoan relics in person and not on the pages of a school textbook?

 

3. Declaration of love to Chania

 

Whatever claimed the skeptics, love at first sight exists. The picturesque town of Chania in North West Crete will win your heart once and for all. Trust city: hide the card in a backpack and get lost in the maze of the Old quarter, where colorful houses cling to each other rough walls. When you're hungry, narrow streets will lead you to a cozy cafe with lace tablecloths and delicious coffee frappe.





After a light Mediterranean lunch, stroll along the historic waterfront, where the waves sway white yachts, and take in the Maritime Museum, showcasing models of ancient ships. At the end of the pier is a long ledge of rock, on which you can walk to the Venetian lighthouse from every other postcard from Chania. At sunset, here the tale: the city shakes off the noon slumber and the degree of romance is increased to the limit.

 

4. Challenge the Samaria gorge

 

The Samaria gorge admire beauty, but also trembling at the knees causing any. Down it from may to October, and then will need sturdy shoes and a bit of courage. Do not be afraid of the road 16 kilometers is a picturesque scenery and mountain air filled with the aromas of pine needles, is worn out soles. First, the route passes through the rock-cut stairs, and then at the bottom of the gorge between the steep slopes.





About mid way you will see the abandoned village of Samaria, which hosted the mountain goats, the KRI-KRI. Here it is well to pause and gather strength before the most beautiful section of the gorge with a width of 4 meters. Trehsotmetrovoy rocks on this segment is almost closed over the head — 'll stop for another one, and, my-word-last-photo.

At the exit of Samaria gorge sparkling Libyan sea to which the legs run themselves, despite the fatigue. Swim, dine in the local village of Agia Roumeli. A family-run tavern Rousios famous Greek salad and meze in the restaurant Artemis – simply yum.

 

5. Find a beach in Crete like

 

If you open a branch of heaven on Earth, on the beach, Elafonisi, with turquoise water and pale pink sand along the surf line. In some places, water on the knee or even ankle — she warms up quickly, so you can all day to luxuriate in the hot tub under the blue sky.





Beautiful Elafonisi is the business card of Crete: there are all. But there on the island and less popular, though no less wonderful beaches. For example, a secluded beach Found where bathe naked. It is adjacent to the only in Crete for naturists. If you want romance, go to the wild, but incredibly beautiful beach Stefan Bay devil Limani, or the Damn Harbor, hidden in a narrow picturesque Bay on the East of the Akrotiri Peninsula. Easy to get here, but swimming in the turquoise sea with views of cliffs is extreme downhill over boulders.





If you are looking for the perfect place for Windsurfing in Crete, Kouremenos beach is Lecitine, where it is always blowing in the wind. And with children it is best to rest at the family beach of Agia Marina in the Bay of Chania in the Aegean sea or the village of Makri Gialos near the shores of the Libyan sea. Both beaches are sandy, shallow entry into the water, and the sea is warm and clear.

 

6. Discover the secret of the birth of Zeus

 

Almost every cave on Crete is a beautiful story. For those who grew up on myths and legends of Ancient Greece, the descent into Dicheskul cave, where from the vaults "drain" stone candles, will be one of the strongest impressions of the trip.





The ancient Cretans believed that here goddess Rhea gave birth to Zeus, fleeing from an angry husband. Seems to be true – during excavations in the cave archaeologists have found... no, not the little rattles of thunder, and the statues of Zeus, who was worshipped from time immemorial. In the dungeon of the imagination played out in earnest: there could be – not will be shown if behind the shadow of the chief God of Olympus?

To be called the cradle of Zeus is eligible Alaska cave on the slope of mount IDA, the highest point of the island. In effectiveness it loses Tictactoe, but does it matter if over the road passing clouds that you can touch? In addition, the tops of IDA the whole of Crete at a glance.

 

7. Take a ride around the lake on a catamaran

 

Want to please the inner artist – bring him in to shore freshwater Kournas lake hidden in the bowl of spectacular mountains. This is where nature has not regretted paints! In the water great to swim and go on the catamaran and on the beach — feast sakiskom honey cake on the terrace of the taverna Kavalos. It is usually eaten to the last crumb, but you can leave some for the local mafia – the ducks and geese, important walking on the shore.





If you decide to go to the lake of Kournas, don't miss the romantic Church of St. Nicholas nearby. It is built on a rock in the sea, and to the tiny white chapel is a stone trail where you love to bask crabs.

 

8. Recharge light energy

 

The inhabitants of Crete are very sensitive to the faith, it is not surprising that the island is strewn with monasteries and tiny monastic cells carved in the rocks. Every place is famous for something – whether it's healing icon of finery or a waterfall in the neighborhood. Those who believe in miracles, it is worth to visit the ancient monastery of Paliani. According to legend, the Myrtle tree is hidden the miraculous icon, to see which only saints and children. But who is not without sin: if the icon does not make out, just touch the trunk, to feel the rush of light energy.





Peace and tranquility can be found in the monastery of the Holy Trinity, surrounded by cypress groves and vineyards. Rest your soul, check out the Museum of icons and try the olive oil that is made by monks. Where tasty food, there cats are right there: tailed at the monastery of the Holy Trinity RUB against his feet at every step.

 

9. Find yourself on a mysterious island

 

The tiny Cretan island of Spinalonga rich past, based on which you can make a TV series better than "Game of thrones". Choose episode: the ancient Acropolis, went to the bottom of the sea, forbidding Venetian Fort or the island of refuge, which were brought lepers?





If you want to advance to feel the atmosphere of the island of Spinalonga, before the trip, flip through the book of Victoria Hislop "the Island. The Mystery Of Sofia".

When will pass the ruins of Spinalonga in a circle, climb to the top offers stunning views over the Bay of Mirabello and the neighbouring island with its wild beach. Then go back to the mainland: in the evening in the fishing village of Plaka fried tender lamb ribs. In the family-run taverna Elpis was nice and cozy, like visiting my grandmother, and from the summer terrace of the restaurant, the Emerald island of Spinalonga looks especially picturesque. Plaka is ruled by such a calm that I can't believe just five kilometres away seething luxury resort of Elounda.

 

10. Sagomate a plate of snails

 

Cretan cuisine is full of temptations. In the list "to try at any cost", the first item includes escargots, generously fed with flour and pasta. Cretans are fried in olive oil with rosemary and was eating for both cheeks with herbs or seasonal vegetables.





If you love cheese, will long miss the grilled saganaki, salty kefalotyri and mizithra, which are stuffed with branded Cretan pies kalitsounia. Use cheeses and desserts. For example, the well-known feta shred together with pieces of watermelon, and mizithra add honey and nuts.

A glass of Cretan wine, snails, Greek salad, stifado, cheeses and desserts go even better. Try it on better local wineries. In a 15-minute drive from Heraklion ripening grapes on the land Douloufakis and Lyrarakis. But if you rest in Chania, highlight the evening a warm and tasting with the owners Manousakis илиDourakis.

 

11. Beach blow up the dancefloors

 

For the title of nightlife capital of Crete fighting two of the resort town of Malia and Hersonissos. The number of bars and clubs in these cities exceeds all reasonable limits, so get ready for a naughty holiday.





If you want to see how to set the heat to "Prim and proper" Brits, just go to Malia. Good evening here starts with a glass of beer at the indie spot Squeeze continues in Reflex bar, where guests dancing on the bar with the hits of the 80's. midnight youth pulled on the waterfront, the glittering neon signs of clubs Candy, Apollo and Camelot Castle.

In Hersonissos the audience raznosherstnaya, but every third track is in Russian. Delicious cocktails are mixed in Down Town and in the bar with the telling title You Only Live Once ("you only Live once"), where people hang out free views. When strikes midnight, go to the club when you stay at starbeach or Palm Beach, where the booming of the famous outdoor parties.

 

Also fun: 11 things to try in Greece

How to choose the best time to travel to the resorts: the essential cheat sheet for travelers

 

12. Imbued with the spirit of freedom with hippie

 

In the seaside village of Matala there is no five-star hotels and expensive restaurants. But there is a beautiful Bay, which is framed by cliffs with caves carved in the Neolithic. Wander through the narrow caves, where in the ' 60s dried linen, and composed songs hippie. Echoes of their former fun felt within the walls with colourful graffiti and colorful hermits who weave baubles on the beach.





If you missed the spirit of freedom, come here in late June for the annual hippie festival Matala Beach Festival.

Hippies lived in the picturesque village of Wai, where a small edge of sand rustles the palm grove. Savages already there, but from the lookout on the cliff still offers wonderful views of the lagoon and a beautiful beach nearby where you can sunbathe in solitude.published

 

P. S. And remember, only by changing their consumption — together we change the world! ©

Source: www.skyscanner.ru/news/chto-posmotret-na-krite