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| Ida Mountains and winter snow |
Are
you planning your next summer holiday? Go to Greece this time. You have plenty
of destinations where you can choose one. But what is the best place for you? Ultimately
you can only know that, after you have visited all of them. It might sound like
a stupid comment, but it’s true. Its matter of taste. You have almost endless
possibilities to travel in Greece. You can do island hopping, cruises or relax
in one island at the time. Travelling in Greece is safe and easy.
Parga,
Corfu, Lesbos, Rhodes, Crete, Santorini, Athens, Kos, Zakynthos, Thasos, Lefkas.
List could go on and on. But this time, i would like to share few things with
you about Crete.
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| Souda Bay |
After
cold and rainy winter, spring and sun are welcomed among locals. Its also starting
point for tourism. April and May are very beautiful, flowers are blooming and
everything is green. You can still see snow on top of the mountains. Sometimes
snow remains on highest peaks until mid June. From June to August weather is dry
and hot. From mid September air starts to cool again.
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| Local road sign with few holes... |
Most biggest cities in Crete are Iraklion, Chania, Rethimnon, Hersonissos and Agios
Nikolaus. These Greek names can be written in many different ways in Latin
alphabets. So, this is good practice of name reading before you tour this
island. Luckily you don’t need to read road signs only in Greek. Names can vary
in maps and road sings. Don’t worry you wont get lost. And if you do get lost, you might find something amazing and wonderful.
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| Island of Spinalonga |
Iraklion
is the biggest city. Mediterranean cruises are stopping here mainly because of ancient
city of Knossos is located 5 km from city center. Iraklion offers best shopping opportunities. Hersonissos is full of
British holiday makers and party animals. Agios Nikolaus and Rethimnon are more
calm destinations. Chania is popular among Scandinavians and you have chance to
relax and party if you want. If you want to avoid most busiest touristic
season, visit this island in spring. But all the restaurants and others
services will be fully open in June. All these places are coastal cities on northern
cost.
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| Samaria gorge |
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| Hora Sfakion and road to Aradaina |
On southern
cost you should visit at least Paleohora and Hora Sfakion, if you have time.
Southern cost is full of small villages and these places are worth of visit.
Some of these small villages are only possible to reach by ferries or by
hiking. Like Agios Roumeli and Loutro. If you hike famous Samaria gorge you
will see Ag. Roumeli, before taking ferry back to civilization. Long and beautiful
hike, but it is worth it! Scenery is just amazing. Hike starts at 1200 m above
sea level and after 18 km it will end up at Ag. Roumelis beach. Local bus will take you to the starting point of this journey.
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| Elafonissi Beach |
Greek
cuisine is amazing. You should try everything you can, even it means you to
step out from your comfort zone. Especially during easter locals enjoy snails with
special sauce. “horta” –vegetable soup made of wild mountain herbs is also good in spring. My
favorite is still basic Greek salad and locally made moussaka. When its time to
pay the bill, you might get free shots of local alcohol called “Raki” to wash
down your dinner. Small corner tavernas are the best food source, thats my personal
opinion.
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| Imeri Gramvousa |
After
a delicious dinner and good night sleep, you are definitely ready to explore
more Crete. Some of the best beaches are here. Elafonissi, lagoon of Balos and
island of Gramvousa. To reach Elafonissi you can rent a car or take a local bus
from Chania. Gramvousa is more difficult to reach on your own, because it is an
island. Easiest way is to join international tour which will take you there
without any hassle. Same tours also visit lagoon of Balos. Otherwise you need
to rent a car and hike last kilometers to lagoon of Balos.
If
you need more speed and danger to your life. I have one place for you. Aradaina
gorge in mid summer. 138 meters high bungy jump. It’s a great place to jump.
Old military bridge over Aradaina gorge. Its truly exciting. I did it! And I will
do it again when a visit Crete next time.
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| Bungy time |
But
where ever you go on your holiday, remember to step out of your comfort zone.
Try snails or do bungy, don’t just lay on the beach. Rent a car and try to go
to village of Spili. If you find it, you can wash your face in fountain of
youth. Go to Knossos and find out what is truth behind Minotaur’s labyrinth. Make
new friends and learn few new words in Greek. Explore Crete like you want to do it. Its waiting.
Summer is coming fast and its over before we know it. Don't think too long, otherwise you might loose an adventure, what you have always been looking for. See you in Greece.
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| My new friend |
