Crete Info

28/10/2023

THE OCTOBER 28TH CELEBRATION IS ALSO CALLED THE “OXI DAY” (OCHI MEANING ‘NO’), REMINDING THAT IN 1940 PRIME MINISTER IOANNIS METAXAS REFUSED THE ITALIAN FORCES TO ENTER GREECE.
As a result, Greece entered World War II and the Greek-Italian war of 1940-1941 began.

28/10/2023

Soon the parade will start.

06/09/2023

The Natural Environment & Climate Change Agency would like to inform you that the National Park of Samaria will remain closed from both entrances, for tomorrow Thursday September 07th 2023, due to the need for restoration of the main path after the damages caused by today’s intense rainfall incident in the wider region. For any new announcements please visit our website samaria-tickets.necca.gov.gr/checkout.

The ticket to be issued is mandatory for your entry into the National Woodland Park of Samaria, which is the core zone of the protected area.

24/08/2023

Malia
🇬🇷Chania🇬🇷Rethymno🇬🇷Heraklion🇬🇷Hersonissos🇬🇷Agios🇬🇷
is one of the most touristic towns in Crete, located 35km east of Heraklion, on the outskirts of Mount Selena. Its name means “flat area”, because Malia is situated on a fertile plain. Indeed, it is famous throughout Greece for the delicious bananas grown in the greenhouses in the area. The valley has many springs and in the past was known for its windmills, used for watering the local potato crops.
Many years ago, Malia was a small coastal village with few residents. Malia has seen rapid growth in recent years and the town has expanded in all directions. Malia is known to tourists for the three “s” holidays, i.e. sand, sea, s*x. Indeed, it is famous for the huge beach and the very lively nightlife, as thousands of young tourists drink in the clubs until dawn. In the early morning, Malia reminds of a bombed landscape with drunk youngs staggering and seeking the way to their hotel.
Malia has two main roads that meet at the center of town, in front of the church of Saint Nektarios. The first street is a pedestrian street connecting the old village with the beach. This is full of clubs and bars, where thousands of young tourists party every night. The second road is vertical to the first and is full of shops, cafes, supermarkets, banks, clinics, etc. Things here are much calmer.
Apart from the wild nightlife, Malia is famous for the archaeological site of the third-largest Minoan palace in Crete, in position Chryssolakkos or Tarmaros, east of the village. The name Tarmaros is considered to be the name of the ancient city of the region. The Palace of Malia was controlled by the legendary King Sarpedon, who was the son of Zeus and goddess Europa and brother of King Minos (King of Knossos). The Sarpedon was once evicted by Minos and moved to Lycia, in Asia Minor, where he was worshiped as a god. The palace of Malia was destroyed in 1700BC, rebuilt, and re-destroyed in 1450BC. Tombs with many golden objects have been found. Among these, the archaeologists found the famous jewel with the bees, which is exhibited in the archaeological museum of Heraklion. Unfortunately, before the tombs were excavated, they were already looted and nobody knows how many wonderful items have been lost. Near the palace, traces of an early Christian basilica and a marble sarcophagus have been revealed.
Furthermore, in the old village of Malia, you can stroll in the narrow traditional streets and visit the church of Panagia Galatiani, which was built with milk instead of water. You can also see the churches of Saint John the Baptist, the Archangels, Saint Demetrios and the Annunciation, St. George, St. Pelagia and Saint Sava (near the shore). The Church of St. George at Loutres has many old frescoes and was built there to protect the locals from the elves. Lastly, on the island just opposite the beach of Malia, the Church of Transfiguration is a lovely place for photographs.
Source: www.cretanbeaches.com

16/08/2023

Loutro
🇬🇷Chania🇬🇷Rethymno🇬🇷Heraklion🇬🇷Hersonissos🇬🇷Agios🇬🇷

is a small seaside village situated approximately 71 km south of Chania city, at the end of Cape Mouri. It was the site of the ancient city of Phoenix and was the port of ancient Anopolis. Later, it became the "winter" port for Chora Sfakion, due to the fact that the enclosed bay and the small island at its entrance create a natural harbor where ships can be safe even in very bad weather.
You can stay at Loutro and use it as a base for visiting surrounding beaches, either by taxi boat, canoe or on foot. You can get a small ferry to the magestic beach of Glyka Nera east of the village. Moreover, you can canoe or walk in the E4 trail till the adjacent unorganized pebbly beaches of Timios Stavros and Pervolaki and then continue to Glyka Nera. However, if you want to stay at Loutro, the small beach in front of Loutro and the longer beach right after the east end of the village, called Keramos, are a very good choice, especially when wind from South is strong. The beaches are pebbly, well-organised and the water is always calm and has an amazing deep blue and green color. Moreover, you could either walk or catch a boat to the closeby beaches of Likos, Finikas and Marmara.
Loutro is a place for those people who want something different. A small picturesque fishing village in south west Crete, not yet spoilt by mass tourism. For example there are no big hotels with swimming pools. There are no overcrowded streets, restaurants and beaches, there are no cars! The only access is by boat or as you wish, by foot (1.5-2 hour trekking from Chora Sfakion). There are daily ferries to/from Chora Sfakion, Sougia, Gavdos island, Paleochora and Agia Roumeli.
Once in Loutro, enjoy walking in the scenic, unspoiled mountain countryside with its valleys and gorges. Firstly, you could visit the fort Koules above Loutro and then reach Finikas small port. Among the older buildings that you can see in Loutro, you will find the Old School used as seat of Chancellor of Sfakia in 1821 and the very old Church of Panagia, next to the school and admire the high Cretan date palm trees.. In ancient times, habitats of the area believed in Cretan-born Zeus and Apollo in Delphi. If you want some meters south from the village you will see the ruins of the Castella fort and later you will see part of the ancient town Phoenix and the temple of Apollo. You could also climb to the beautiful village and plateau of Anopolis; you have to climb 2000 feet on a 2000 year old mule ascending zigzag track and reach Anopolis in almost two hours, where there is a very good choice of taverns. You could also explore the gorge of Aradena. Moreover, if you are a keen snorkeler, you might meet sea turtles that are very frequent visitors of Loutro.
Source: cretanbeaches.com

14/08/2023

Koutouloufari
🇬🇷Chania🇬🇷Rethymno🇬🇷Heraklion🇬🇷Hersonissos🇬🇷Agios🇬🇷

is a village of roughly 600 inhabitants on the slope of Mt Pyrgias at an altitude of 100 metres. It is 29 kilometres east of Heraklion and less than 1,000 metres from coastal Hersonissos.
Koutouloufari with its narrow paved streets and old Cretan houses attracts those who want to spend their holidays in the busiest tourist area in Crete - which stretches from Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos, offering many beaches, attractions, sights and activities and is near archaeological sites such as Knossos and Malia - but who prefer to stay in a quiet environment with a traditional flavour and a lovely view of the Sea of Crete.
In Koutouloufari you will find old stone houses with arches, arched doorways and inner courtyards roofed with vines offering shade and grapes in summer. You can stroll through the paved streets or take the road down to Hersonissos through the hills covered with olive trees.
The precise origins of the village of Koutouloufari are unknown. It was probably first established in the Middle Ages, when people left the coast and moved to higher ground in an attempt to avoid pirate raids.
Koutouloufari is first mentioned in Venetian archives, as Catafari metochi in 1577 and Cutrufari in 1630. In censuses from 1888 to 1940 its population varied from 263 to 350, dropping to 159 inhabitants by 1981. In the 2001 census, however, there was a great increase in the population to 586.
The same pattern is seen in neighbouring villages. The explanation is that, after the war, people sought a better life in the cities. Twenty years later, the development of tourism on the coast began to bring work to the area and the population grew once more.
Many former inhabitants of Heraklion have bought houses in Koutouloufari, restored them and now live here permanently.

09/08/2023

Kedrodasos
🇬🇷Chania🇬🇷Rethymno🇬🇷Heraklion🇬🇷Hersonissos🇬🇷Agios🇬🇷

Crete Info Aroma Kritis Hersonissos Crete Info Taxi sharing in Crete
The beach, located 76 km southwest of Chania and 1 km east of the famous and busy Elafonisi beach, is filled with cedar trees and sand dunes, reminding another place completely different of all other Crete beaches. If you ever visit the beach please take care and respect this lovely scenery.
The path to the beach is a bit tricky and you'd better have a look on the map above before try to be there. Once you park your car you need to walk at about 10 minutes down to the beach. Beleive me it's a really nice path you'd totally enjoy the route.
Kedrodasos is a wonderful choice for camping and a favorite beach for naturists. It is a very nice beach with white sand and some smooth flat rocks around the sandy coast. It's away from all and there are no facilities nearby, so you'd better plan your trip to Kedrodasos, water and some food is a necessity. Since the beach is secluded, you should keep it clean and not littered.
The European path E4 crosses the beach as you can see there are signs all over the place.
Have a look at the photos above from our latest visit to that unique beach. Kedrodasos is one of the last European paradises.

07/08/2023

Katholiko monastery
🇬🇷Chania🇬🇷Rethymno🇬🇷Heraklion🇬🇷Hersonissos🇬🇷Agios🇬🇷

is located at the mountainous area Arkoudovounia, 20km east of Chania, near the northern shores of Cape Akrotiri or Meleha. It is located inside the gorge Avlaki, at a short distance from the sea. It can be accessed through a stepped and carved cobbled path that starts from the monastery Gouverneto, passes near the church of Saint Anthony (Agios Antonios)Saint Anthony (Agios Antonios) and from the Cave of Panagia Arkoudiotissa and ends at the monastery Katholiko. If you keep walking to the sea, you will find yourself in a wonderful small fjord with turquoise waters, where there are the ruins of the old harbor of the monastery.
The monastery complex was founded at the site of the cave where Saint John the Hermit or Xenos died during the 11th century. After the death of Saint John the Hermit, this wider inaccessible area known as Arkoudovounia became one of the most important ascetic centers in Crete. The cave was turned into a temple (it celebrates on September 20) and the surrounding cavities were originally a refuge for the hermits, while later some monk cells were also built.
In the 17th century, in front of the cave, an extensive construction of buildings took place under the supervision of Jeremiah Tzagarolo and with architectural drawings from the works of Sebastiano Serlio, and thus the monastic complex acquired its current impressive form. You can even see the ruined cells of the hermits, the bell tower and the impressive bridge that crosses the river of the gorge, creating a large square that connects the two sides. At the foot of the bridge there are large vaulted storage spaces, while on both sides a two-storey building and a small series of vaulted rooms were built to house the pilgrims.
The cult of Agios Ioannis spread so much in the wider area of Chania, that according to the census of 1637 the income from the pilgrims was one of the largest. This fact is very important, especially if one considers the strenuous course that the visitors had to hike then to approach Katholiko. When the shores of Crete became the target of the pirates, fear prevailed, the monastery was deserted and the monks were forced to move to a more secluded place and thus retired to the monastery Gouverneto. At the exit of the gorge to the sea there is a large rock in a shape reminiscent of a ship and, according to legend, it is a pirate ship that was stoned after the curses of the abbot of Katholiko.
Source: cretanbeaches.com

05/08/2023

Kalypso beach
🇬🇷Chania🇬🇷Rethymno🇬🇷Heraklion🇬🇷Hersonissos🇬🇷Agios🇬🇷

is located on the south of Rethymno, 31 km from the city, between the village of Plakias and beach of Preveli. It is a narrow cove of about 100 meters long that is formed between huge vertical rocks. The bay ends at a small, sandy beach, 2 meters wide. The bay is called Karavos but many call it the "Pirate’s Fjord" because the small cove used as a shelter for pirates during the Byzantine times.

The water is so clear that the visibility and clarity from above is astonishing – you can make out every single detail in the sea bed. Its color changes depending on the depth. In some places is deep blue and in some others blue-green. The sea bed is rich in life and ideal for snorkeling. The beach is quite famous and many people come to take photos of this unique landscape but also to swim in the impressive bay. For sure Kalypso or Karavos beach is one of the best places for swimming and snorkeling in Crete.

Just above the beach there is a tourist resort, which has placed umbrellas and sunbeds on the smooth surfaces of the rocks.There is a set of concrete steps leading up the sheer cliff to the left of the beach, offering bird’s eye views back down onto Kalypso beach.References to the bay have existed since antiquity. According to mythology, Odysseus on his way back to Ithaca, stayed there for 7 years, enchanted by the landscape as well as from the beauty of the Queen Calypso. To reach the beach you have to follow one of the two roads that start from the village of Dimoni. There is no public transport, so you have to drive yourself or take a taxi. Source:Allovergrece.com

01/08/2023

Haraso
🇬🇷Chania🇬🇷Rethymno🇬🇷Heraklion🇬🇷Hersonissos🇬🇷Agios🇬🇷

The village location is at 25km east from Heraklion , at an altitude of over 400 meters. The word Haraso or Charaso means beautiful in the Slavic language. The village was so named because of its beauty and the magnificent views that the Slavic soldiers had. They camped in the area, under the leadership of the Byzantine emperor Nikiforos Fokas, who had come to liberate Crete from the Arabs.
It is a traditional and beautiful little village with an olive factory and even a school. At the school premises you can still experience how the children used to pass their time in that tiny village, hidden in the hills. From the village, an ancient kalderimi leads you to the monastery of Kyra Eleousa. Just outside the village are the ruins of four ancient stone windmills. It is an amazing view! In the village you can find a newly built church next to the old little church.

30/07/2023

Kato Gouves
🇬🇷Chania🇬🇷Rethymno🇬🇷Heraklion🇬🇷Hersonissos🇬🇷Agios🇬🇷

is just a few minutes from Heraklion airport. Gouves is located between Gournes from the west side and Analipsi from the east side. There are a lot of things to do, features a great selection of beaches, plus a wide range of accommodations. This area, so popular with tourists, has everything you might need- restaurants, cafes, markets, and shopping, plus a medical centre. There are a lot of options for fun at the beach in Kato Gouves: there are paddle boats and jet skis for rent, scuba lessons to be taken, snorkelling to be done, paragliding or waterskiing to learn, and just splashing around in the azure waters. the location of Kato Gouves makes this small village in Crete a convenient home base from which to explore the region by car beaches mountains and various cultural recreational activities are all nearby.

25/07/2023

Elounda

🇬🇷Chania🇬🇷Rethymno🇬🇷Heraklion🇬🇷Hersonissos🇬🇷Agios🇬🇷
is located in east Crete 67 km from Heraklion, north of Agios Nikolaos and south of the seaside resort of Plaka in Crete.
Elounda Village, once a picturesque fishing village in lovely Mirabello Bay and nowadays is an ideal destination for people who want a seaside holiday in a place which is neither too busy nor too isolated, having a spectacular coastline, shaded beaches, crystal clear seas, archeological interest.
In Elounda you ... will find small, pretty beaches, visit the island of Spinalonga, walk along and swim at the peninsula of Kolokitha (the word means “pumpkin”), and explore the many little villages (Mavrikiano, Plaka, Skisma, Epano Elounda) far from the sea, offering a window into times gone by.
Elounda is not for those looking for a hectic, vibrant nightlife, nor for those who prefer the isolated beaches of unspoiled southern Crete.

21/07/2023

Elafonisi beach
🇬🇷Chania🇬🇷Rethymno🇬🇷Heraklion🇬🇷Hersonissos🇬🇷Agios🇬🇷
(often spelled Elafonissi Beach) is especially good for families because of its shallow, protected water and the long stretches of sand dunes that allow kids to really stretch their legs (one of many things I’m told they require, along with food, water and loads of patience).
It is uniquely scenic thanks to the narrow sandbar/isthmus that connects Elafonisi Island to the mainland, creating a shallow, turquoise lagoon on one side and a slightly less shallow (but protected by rocks and still fine for kids) bay on the other. The sand itself also alternates between bright white and startling pink, a fascinating phenomenon created when small shells are crushed by the relentless lapping waves. Remember, from this year you have to pay 3 euros for parking.

19/07/2023

Bali
🇬🇷Chania🇬🇷Rethymno🇬🇷Heraklion🇬🇷Hersonissos🇬🇷Agios🇬🇷
is located in a large gulf, 30km east of Rethymno and 43km west of Heraklion. Next to the village passes the National Road linking Heraklion and Rethymno, making Bali accessible from any part of the island. It is ideal for family and romantic holidays. Bali has four beaches, which are formed in sandy coves with nice greenish waters. The beaches are almost always calm, since the bay of Bali faces to the west. They all are suitable for children and well organized. Moreover, water is cool because of the several springs around that carry fresh water into the sea from Psiloritis Range. Source:https://www.cretanbeaches.com

08/03/2022

🌹Today is International Women's day! 🌹
🌹🌺🌸🌼🌻Happy birthday to all women!💐🥀🌷🌹🌻

22/02/2022

17/02/2022

Balos

14/02/2022

07/02/2022

‼️Travellers arriving in Greece, during the period from 07.02.2022 until 21.02.2022,‼️ holding a European Union Digital Covid Certificate are not obliged to show an extra negative COVID test result upon their arrival.
In particular, entry of travellers coming from EU member states and Schengen countries, as well as from the 33 non-EU countries that have joined the EU Digital Covid Certificate system, namely: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Cabo Verde, El Salvador, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Israel, Iceland, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco,New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Switzerland, “Chinese Taipei (not recognized as a State by Greece)”, Thailand, Tunisia, Togo, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, The Vatican, is permitted by showing the EU Digital COVID Certificate, which contains information about one of the following
✅ Vaccination certificate (for those who have completed vaccination for COVID-19 at least fourteen (14) days before arrival) valid for 9 months after the completion of the basic vaccination and without time limit for travellers who have received the booster dose, or
✅ Certificate of recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection issued 14 days after the day of the first positive COVID-19 test (PCR or Rapid Antigen test) and valid for 180 days thereafter, or
✅ Certificate of negative test result, namely, negative:
🔸molecular test result (PCR) performed up to 72 hours before the scheduled arrival or
🔸 Rapid Antigen test result performed up to 24 hours before the scheduled arrival.
‼️TRAVELLERS ARRIVING IN GREECE FROM ALL OTHER COUNTRIES ARE REQUIRED TO DISPLAY :‼️
✅ a negative molecular test result (PCR) for Covid-19 performed up to 72 hours before the scheduled arrival or
✅ a negative Rapid Antigen test result for Covid-19 performed up to 24 hours before the scheduled arrival.
The test result must be in English language and must include the full name of the passenger as registered in the passport.
THE ABOVE OBLIGATIONS ARE MANDATORY FOR ALL TRAVELLERS ENTERING THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING CHILDREN OVER 5 YEARS OLD. Source: https://travel.gov.gr/ #/
Crete Info

Beginning July 1, 2020, the Greek government has determined how the country will welcome travellers, carry out the necessary diagnostic screening and keep everyone safe throughout the season.

31/01/2022

Martsalo beach Crete Info
Martsalo is a secluded beach in the west Asterousia Range, one of the most inaccessible areas of Heraklion,which you can access just on foot or by boat. It is located just a few kilometers from the “horn” of Messara Plain, the Cape Lithino, and 80km southwest of Heraklion.
You'll start the trip down to the beach through the small forest of palm trees and bushes and wild herbs until you reach the beach. It is a short way, it will take you about 20 minutes and even in high seaons you will not meet many and maybe even so people here, because of the secluded location of the Martsalo Beach. The water is almost always very calm, which justifies its name (Martsalo means Fair Harbor in Latin). Martsalo is ideal for isolation and is completely secluded. However, it is considered a religious site, and activities such as nudism are offensive to the hermits of the gorge.
Crete Info

30/01/2022

I love Crete!

29/01/2022

In July we go to Crete....

28/01/2022

And then God created the Cretan woman, then He said to the man, "Here I leave her ..." And He ran away! 😂😂😂😂

22/01/2022

OKRA WITH POTATOES THE GREEK STYLE
Prep: 5m | Cook: 30m | Total: 35m | Serves: 4
Ingredients:
900g Frozen okra
2 Potatoes, cut into wedges
1 large onion, finely chopped
4 fresh tomatoes, grated
2 cloves of garlic, coarsely chopped
1 handful of parsley, finely chopped
Juice from 2 lemons
3 Tbsp Vinegar
4 Tbsp Olive oil
Salt & Pepper to taste
Instructions:
Saute the onion with olive oil over high heat.
Peel, cut the potatoes, and season them generously with salt and black pepper.
Add the garlic and the potatoes in the pot with the onion, stir to combine, and sauté them for a few minutes.
Add 1/3 of the grated fresh tomatoes juice, bring to a boil, and let them simmer for 10 minutes.
Add the okra to the pot directly from the freezer and pour on top of it 3 Tbsp vinegar, the juice of 2 lemons, the parsley, the remaining 2/3 from the grated tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Bring to a boil while stirring every now and then and let them simmer for 20 minutes if you are cooking small okra. If you are using big okra cook for another 10 minutes.
After 20 minutes pass give it a taste because it might need more lemon juice. That is up to you.
Serve with Feta cheese and good quality bread.
Notes:
The vinegar is not just for taste, it also prevents the okra from getting too slimy. Crete Info

21/01/2022

Calicotome villosa Crete Info
Is a small shrubby tree native to the eastern Mediterranean region, of very strong essence. From this wood the Cretans make handles for the traditional knives.
🔸Calicotome is derived from the Greek Kalux, calyx and tomos, cut, his refers to the fact that, after flowering, the calyx breaks off in circle and looks as if cut.
🔸Villosa is derived from the Latin villus, hair, because the plant is downy. Can be found in rocky hillsides and bushy places,it has very strong essence.
From this wood the Cretans make handles for the traditional knives.
Crete Info

19/01/2022

Women’s traditional costume
There are three typical Cretan women costumes on the island today:
🔸“Anogian” or “Sartza” costume
🔸“Kritsa” or “Kuda” costume
🔸“Sfakian” costume.

18/01/2022

Arkadi Monastery Crete Info

Arkadi Monastery is located near the village Amnatos, 23km east of Rethymno. It is built at an altitude of 500m, on a fertile plateau with olive groves, vineyards, pine, cypress and oak trees. The full tour takes approximately an hour. The Renaissance facade church is beautiful. Around the monastery there are several picturesque chapels and from there starts the beautiful Arkadi gorge.
🟧Open hours
Every day from ▶️ 09.00-18.00
🟧 Tickets
3 €

17/01/2022

See you in Crete!
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