Crete
Destination Fact File
Crete has much more besides beaches. For a start, 4,000 years of civilisation have left a legacy of world-class archeaological sites. There is a vast array of interesting day and nights out, whether by hire car or covered by one of the professionally organised excursions. But if relaxation is all you desire, then there are more than enough resorts for those who simply wish to lie in the sun all day. The liveliest places are Hersonissos and Malia, with enough nightlife between them to keep visitors entertained Rethymnon offers a more relaxed pace of life, with charming local tavernas and a selection of bars.
Food & Drink
The tavernas and bars of Crete serve up mouth watering array of typical Greek dishes as well as a few Cretan specialities. For those willing to try the exotic, Saligaria Stifado is a snail stew served with tomatoes, onions, and herbs. Crete excels in Cheese, Klatsounia are small cheese pies coated with sesame seeds or cinnamon. You can also find plenty of small cheese makers around Rethymnon producing feta and graviera, not unlike Gruyere. There's plenty to wash it down with too and its not just Ouzo. Look out for Raki, a spirit distilled from grape skins, and Mournoraki, a brandy produced from mulberries.
Nightlife
As on most of the large Greek islands you can find a nightlife to suit your tastes. For raucous nights of beer and bright lights you should head to Malia. Aghios Nikolaos and Hersonissos have a more diverse range of entertainment from specialised restaurants to tavernas and the odd disco. Most towns have plenty of traditional bars to keep you refreshed, if you are lucky you'll get a spectacular sea view with your Raki.
Shopping
In the towns of Heraklion, Rethymnon, Chania and Agios Nikolaos and in all the big towns of the island, and in many picturesque mountainous villages visitors will find a wide range of shops selling local products such as the excellent Cretan honey, the famous Cretan wines and the tasty local cheeses (which are known all over Greece). Shops selling leather goods of high quality can also be found as well as shops proposing copper, bronze, terracotta and wooden items. Tourist shops selling various souvenirs and beach equipments are available in all the major towns and in the touristy resorts of Crete. In the big towns visitors will find all kind of shops that are usually found in big cities, selling clothes, shoes, books, beauty items, accessorizes, toys etc.
Things to See & Do
Explore bustling Heraklion, with its 16th century fortress, stunning Morosini fountain and ruined capital city walls. Wander Rethymnon's massive venetian fortress and Ierapetra's old town, with its fading venitian fortress and turkish mosque. See palace ruins and magnificent monasteries scattering the island. From Lasithi plateau, gaze across windmill-strewn fields, or walk 18 km along Samaria Gorge, passing wildflowers and glimpsing endangered Kri-Kri goats.
Language : Greek
Currency : Euro
Time Difference : 2 Hours ahead of UK
Flights : Norwich - Heraklion. Fridays 28th May - 2nd July & 27th August - 17th September.
