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Incredible Crete

Tags: crete island wine

Incredible Crete

Crystal clear seas, sun-bleached ancient ruins and an ultra-warm welcome, make Crete a perfect island getaway, says CAROLYN HEWITSON

Largest and most southerly of the Greek islands, Crete is blessed with stretches of picturesque olive groves, vineyards, wild flowers and mountain views, surrounded by dreamy beaches and sparkling blue waters. Over the years the island been home to many civilisations and conquerors, all of whom have left their mark, with a trail of Venetian fortresses, Ottoman mosques, Byzantine monasteries, ancient bustling towns and important archaeological sites. It is also the setting for many well known Greek myths – incredible stories of passion, revenge, love, loss and labyrinths. Also dating back to ancient times is the Greek concept of ‘xenia’ – the art of showing courtesy and generosity to travellers, which you will find still lives on in abundance today. Making this just the place then to venture into the great outdoors, soak up some ancient culture and enjoy a little of that legendary Greek hospitality.

A RICH HISTORY

Home over 4000 years ago to the mysterious Minoan people, who are said to be the the founding fathers of advanced European civilisation, the Palace of Knossos was excavated and partially reconstructed in the early 1900s by Sir Arthur Evans, who dedicated his life to uncovering the site. In Greek mythology, this is also the real-life place where Theseus chased and killed King Minos’ son, the (half-man, half bull) Minotaur, in the labyrinth beneath the palace, and where Icarus (son of palace architect Daedalus) flew too close to the sun, melting the wax in his makeshift wings, dropped into the sea and drowned. Experts are still baffled by the Minoan civilisation, which seemed to appear from nowhere in 2600BC and disappear again 1200 years later. A tour of the site, largest of four Minoan palaces on Crete, gives you an idea of how surprisingly sophisticated they were: under-floor heating, ventilation shafts, running water and …a flushing toilet! Today, as then, the site is patrolled by beady-eyed wild peacocks, lending a modern-day enigmatic, regal air to this captivating place.

Many of the artefacts discovered at Knossos are now on display in the capital’s Archaeological Museum. Recently restored and reopened, with 27 rooms of finds covering 5500 years from Neolithic to Roman times, the museum is world renowned for its Minoan collection. Marvel at the famous Prince of the Lilies and Dolphin frescoes, giant still-intact clay jars (‘pithoi’), and the intriguing, as-yet undeciphered Phaestos Disc.

‘THE ISLAND’

A short boat ride from Plaka or Elounda takes you to this fascinating insight into life as a banished leper half a century ago. Brought to the world’s attention by Victoria Hislop’s hugely popular debut novel ‘The Island’, Spinalonga now receives around 4000 visitors per day. Life on the island was initially pretty bleak, but following the intervention of a law student exiled to the island himself in 1930, living conditions were greatly improved, and the inhabitants were able to start living life – some even getting married, having children. Wander the long-abandoned homes, churches, tavernas and coffee shops that once made up life in this apparently peaceable, thriving community. Following medical advances, the last leper left the island (grudgingly) in 1957.

WINES OF CRETE

According to legend, Dionysus, god of Wine and festivity, was married to Ariadne, daughter of Crete’s King Minos. With such high-ranking connections then, you’d expect the wine here to be pretty special – and it is. Varieties of grapes used are indigenous to the island, and, along with the soil, plentiful sunshine and low rainfall, all work together to create the perfect environment for high quality and unique, distinctive flavours. Some of Crete’s wineries also produce the island’s famed extra virgin olive oil. Take a tour of the Stilianou Winery, where the passionate head of this family business will explain the history and processes of their organic wine- and olive oil-making. Afterwards, enjoy tastings of their velvety Theon Gi (‘Land of the Gods’) Red, their crisp Theon Dora (‘Gift from the Gods’) White and their delicious sweet dessert wine, Kotsifali.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

A woman on her way down to the entrance of Samaria Gorge, Crete. The gorge is in southwest Crete in the regional unit of Chania and a major tourist attraction of the island. It was created by a small river running between the White Mountains and Mt. Volakias. The gorge is 16 km long, starting at an altitude of 1,250 m (4100 ft.)at the northern entrance, and ending at the shores of the Libyan Sea in Agia Roumeli.

Samaria Gorge, in the southwest of the island, is a stony 10 mile (5 to 7 hour) trail of spectacular natural beauty, considered a must-do for keen hikers. Along the way, watch out for the peonies, rockroses, cyclamen, anemones, orchids, and the endemic Cretan Ebony. If you’re lucky you may spot a Kri-kri, the island’s endangered, elusive wild goat.

From various towns along the northern coast you can join boat cruises offering sightseeing, dolphin-spotting and fishing, but if it’s in the water you’d rather be, then of course the choice is endless – this is the place to swim, snorkel, scuba dive, jet-ski, windsurf and kitesurf to your heart’s content.

A MEDITERRANEAN DIET

It’s very heartening to realise that in the last 4000 or so years on Crete, some things haven’t changed all that much. Clay jars from 2600BC once contained olive oil and wine, just as the tanks and barrels of the island’s modern wineries do. Decorations on Minoan pottery depict marine life, fish and octopuses. Grapes used in wine-making today are from the same vines unearthed at Knossos. And all these things are still the mainstay of the Cretan diet today – olive oil rich salads, plates of fresh, locally-caught fish, grilled octopus, smooth red wines and zesty whites.

It’s said that Cretans never eat the same food two days running, so make sure to follow this philosophy and try everything. Don’t miss the cheese pies, fresh fish platters, smoked pork, and while baklava is the famous Greek dessert, search out Crete’s loukoumades – little balls of deep-fried pastry dripping in honey. Heaven! Finish with a shot of raki, also known as ‘Cretan brandy’. Sometimes flavoured with lemon, rosewater or honey, this fiery ‘digestif’ is often given at the end of a restaurant meal as a ‘thank you’ for your custom.

Tip: When visiting Knossos or Spinalonga, arrive early or late to beat the heat and the crowds

FACTFILE

CURRENCY: Euro (€)

TIME DIFFERENCE: GMT+2

CLIMATE: Crete enjoys long dry summers and mild rainy winters, with temperatures during the high season ranging from 310C to 350C

VISAS: No visa required

GETTING THERE:  Many airlines fly to Crete from various airports in the UK

FLIGHT TIME: 4 hours from London Gatwick to Heraklion

WHEN TO GO: Visit in spring for blue skies, wild flowers & hiking, in summer for sun and sea, and in autumn for still-warm sightseeing amid fewer people

MORE INFO: For more information on Crete, visit incrediblecrete.gr

The post Incredible Crete appeared first on Candis.



This post first appeared on Amanda's Blog - Candis, please read the originial post: here

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