Crete: Greatest Place in Greece.
Written: May 23 '00 (Updated Aug 04 '01)
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Pros: Offers everything! From Traditional to Modern
Cons: Island is big and the Summer is too short!
The Bottom Line: Best overall greek experience. You can find everything from
super traditional to touristy. Packed beaches to secluded.
Concrete jungle to untouched scenery.
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| andruzzo's Full Review: Crete |
First off, I am of Greek descent and therefore have a deep
love affair with Greece. I've been there practically every
summer of my life and have seen it all twice over.
To this day, I preach to everyone who asks me about Greece
that "Crete is the greatest place in Greece"....and my ancestors
are not from Crete!
I've been to the island of Crete four times, and each time it gets
better and better. It's the largest Greek island and you definitely
need a lot of time to truly appreciate it. Everytime I have gone
it has been for a minimum of 3-4 weeks and at the end of it all
I still don't want to leave.
What I like the most about Crete is the deep traditional and
cultural values which exist there. Of course, all of Greece is
very traditional and aware of its identity but in Crete it just
so much more pure and so much more a part of Cretan life.
To me it's not just an island where there's a whole bunch of
tourist places and nice beaches. Sure it can be that if you want.
However, I don't feel like I'm in Crete unless I get caught up
deep into the culture. I head straight up to the very old and
traditional villages, where the men dress in black boots and
scarves and carry knives and guns. Where family and honor comes
first above all else.
It sounds like something from the Godfather but spirit and
values like this exist and don't go away...not when it's been in
your blood for hundreds of years. What's amazing is that this aura
persists even with the nightclubs and bars not too far away by the coast.
However, what most travellers experience (or want to experience) in Crete
is the sea, sun, nature and nightlife. This I know all too well.
Rule Number 1: Rent a car (or a moped if you prefer). Crete is
a big island and many of the places you'll want to see are not next
to eachother. There are literaly thousands of things to see
and don't expect to see everything, but here's my list of top places
to see:
1) Chania (pronounced HANIA)
Chania was built by the Venetians, which becomes cleary obvious after
you walk around in the old part of town which cradles the old harbour.
Small, tight winding streets (sokakia as they are called in Greek)
of multicolored houses create a maze of residences, cafes, restaurants
and parkettes. Extremely picturesque and totally romantic.
In general the old harbour of Chania is magical. By far one of my
favourites and I can spend 24 hours a day there...coffee at one, end
lunch by the wharf, dinner in the old streets and then greek music
overlooking the water. Definitely VERY hard to leave this place and
you always end up thinking and reminiscing about Chania.
2) Preveli
Preveli is in the southwestern region of Crete. It is a very
secluded place and has a very old Monastery built there. You can
either drive there or take a boat from a southern town. The monastery
is nice and is worth the visit. It provides a glimpse into monastic
life and provides a very scenic overlook. When you're done with that
and all hot from the sun beating down, follow the path to Preveli
Beach, where, as one travel book put it: " Heaven meets earth". There
is a rocky descent which you have to do but as you descend you
are awarded with a magnificent view from above, overlooking CRYSTAL
clear calm waters. The most impressive part about Preveli is that
behind the beach there is a palm tree forest that has grown around
a path carved by a natural stream. It's truly a sight to see and
definitely worth the hike. It has many little water falls, private
little wading pools, and at the end a beautiful waterfalls...and it's
lined by palm trees all the way through. Plus, the actual beach at
Preveli, is by far one of the best I have been to in all of Greece.
The water, crystal clear and clean, warm, calm....simply magnificent.
3) Matala
Matala was once the "Mecca" of the hippies back in the late sixties.
Many of them basically lived in the now infamous caves on the cliff.
Again, this is a place to experience, but be prepared for some
serious tourist atmosphere! The beach is big and packed and the
water surprisingly clear. Whatever you do, do not forget to climb up
the cliff, via the makeshift walkways, and get a good glimpse
from above. There's even a ledge where people dive from...which provides
hours of viewing entertainment from the shore.
4) Samaria Gorge (In Greek: Faragi Samarias)
This is for all of you outdoursy, tree-hugging, hiking boot types out
there. Of course, I recommend it to EVERYONE but I'm sure this 17 km
hike will definitly appeal more to outdoor adventurers. For this
you have to get to to the top of the gorge very early in the morning,
around 6 or 7 a.m. There are buses that leave regularly from Chania
and Rethymnon. You start off by descending down the side of the mountain
through a maintained pathway to enter the actually gorge and river bed.
The nature is simply breathtaking. Everywhere you look, there's
streams, trees vegetation...and of course tourists. It's about a 5 hour
trek through the gorge and at least 3 hours to get to the tightest
spot (2-3 meter width)...the highlight of the trek. But it's worth
it...you get lots of excercise and when you exit you are greeted with
a beautiful beach (Agia Roumeli) where everyone just runs for the water
to cool off and relax. A ferry then takes you to a neighbouring town
where you board a bus back to either Chania or Rethymno.
5) Rethymnon
This is another town with a lot of Venetian influence. Although not
as picturesque as Chania, it's old town built around the Venetian
Castle is worth the visit alone. That's on the Western part of
the city, the Eastern part is where all the new hotels have been built
and there is a boardwalk overlooking an expansive beach fully catering
to the droves of tourists.
6) Agios Nikolaos
Ah yes...what a place. It seems like everywhere you go in Greece
the harbour is the place to visit, and Agios Nikolaos is definitely
not an exception! I spent countless hours on this harbour sipping
Frappe by day, and Retsina by night. If you don't fall in love with
this place then there's something wrong with you!
7) Vai
Vai is one of the most original beaches in all of Greece. If it
wasn't for the Greek being spoken...you could fool yourself that
your in the Carribean. White sand, emerald green/blue water and
a dense palm tree forest. Make sure that you climb to the top of the
Southern cliff to get an absolutely amazing view of the entire beach and
surrounding areas.
8) Ancient Ruins at Knossos
No visit to Crete is complete without a visit to Knossos to see the
ruins discovered by Schliemann of the ancient castle of the Minoans.
Make sure you find a good guide, because you can't appreciate the site
unless you learn about it's purpose and secrets. At least get a very
good guide book and make sure you've read it before you get there!
9) Heraklion
Of course, as with Knossos, you just have to visit Heraklion. Firstly,
to visit the Museum which houses the finds from Knossos. Secondly, to
realize that YES, Crete is a busy bustling place and third to get lost
in the old section of town where shopping is a must and the
cafes are inviting. (Don't stay too long...there's lots too see remember!)
10) Southern Shore
The southern shore of Crete is, in one word: Untouched. It is a night
and day comparison with the northern shore which is essentially a
tourist area. The southern shore has literall hundreds of beaches, bays
and shores that cannot be reached by car. Foot and/or boat only.
It's definitely worth exploring with a moped or car. PAck sunglasses,
a bottle of water and lots of suntan oil. Leave the rest behind.
11) Anogia
Anogia is the largest and one of the oldest villages in Crete. It's
as traditional and as Cretan as it gets. Yet they treat tourists like
royalty...a trait of the Cretans, who are genuinely the best hosts
in Greece! Go to the town square, order a frappe, or a Raki, or
a greek coffee. Play a game of backgammon or just sit back and
watch...in places like these, time has no meaning.
12) A purpose-built village on the way to Tillisos from Heraklion, called: AROLITHOS.
This is on the road towards the village of Tillisos from the city
of Heraklion. This village was built to look like an authentic
Cretan village, with stores and small streets. However, in the summer
every weekend they act out a traditional Cretan wedding in the village
square and everyones invited. You basically sit at one of the long
tables, and you experience what a Cretan wedding is like...from the
food, to the music to the dancing. During the rest of the weeknights, tradition greek dancing and celebration takes place. The expansive outside seating area has lots of
space and tables which pack in the 'guests', where everyone ends up dancing and having a good time! This is a must see!
It's very hard to only pick a handful of places in Crete, and I could
go on and on. Just remember, there's lots to see, make sure you rent
wheels and pack light!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
andruzzo
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Reviews written: 26
Trusted by: 9 members
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