Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and is one of the largest islands in the Mediterranean. It covers an area of 8260km.sq with a characteristic long and narrow shape, it finds itself at the crossroads between three seas and three continents. Four thousand years ago the Minoans developed their enviable civilization with their palace of Knossos, which to this day is a widely visited ancient site in Crete.

Crete was also the legendary birthplace of Zeus,the ancient Greek God of Olympus. Crete has also given the world the painter Domenicos Theotokopoulos; more widely known as ‘El Greco’, Nikos Kazanzakis; the author of Zorba the Greek, Visentzos Kornaros; the author of Eritokritos and finally Eleutherios Venizelos; one of the greatest modern Greek politicians. These are simply a few of Crete’s internationally renowned Sons

Crete has a pure Mediterranean climate with mild winters and widespread sunshine. The rainy season is confined to a few winter months which quickly give way to the long spring and summer. The landscape is rugged and is characterised by many gorges and infinite beaches,providing sharp contrasts in the landscape.

The landscape of the island is unchanging, with towering mountains, fertile plains, picturesque villages, large towns and beautiful beaches which can take your breath away. The most famous of which are Balos, Falasarna, Elafonisi, Palaiohora, Sougia, Sfakia, Maleme, Georgioupoli, Agia Galini, Ierapetra, Finikodassos, Palaikastro, Elounda and Agia Pelagia to name just a few.
Crete is also famous for the flora and rare plants and animals which are endemic to the island,along with many types of amphibians, molluscs, insects and other mammals. Due to the diversity which exists, many regions in Crete belong to the European NATURA 2000 program as regions which require special protection due to their importance.

Local arts and crafts are both rich and complex due to the influence of the various cultures which have colonised Crete over the centuries. (Venetians, Arabs, Turks) Cultural and religious festivals which take place all year round are accompanied by local Cretan music. The primary instruments in this type of music are violin, lute and Cretan lyre. This is accompanied by the traditional rizitiko singing or by mantinades, which are sung increasingly by younger artists. The traditional Cretan dances of syrtos, sousta, pentozali and maleviziotis are commonly performed by the Cretan people themselves at their traditional ceremonies and festivals.
The Cretan diet is based on what is produced locally on the island and is based mainly on olive oil, unprocessed cereals, local vegetables, local meats, dairy produce from organic sheep’s milk, fish, wine and tsikoudia. The largest towns of Chania, Rethymno, Irakleio and Agios Nikolaos are situated on the north coast of the island where the majority of the population lives. Crete has two major international airports at Chania and Irakleio as well as five major ports at Chania, Rethimno, Irakleio, Siteia and Ierapetra. They are the first port of call for the millions of tourists who visit Crete on an annual basis, which along with its modern hotel complexe, the island is one of the most developed tourist destinations in the Mediterranean.