Crete Holiday
Steeped in ancient myth, the Greek island of Crete is fabulous destination for sunbathers and culture vultures alike.
The sun never seems to stop smiling down on this beautiful island, the mythical birthplace of the mighty Greek god Zeus and home to the palace cities of Minoan Crete.
Ancient Cretan culture is inescapable and even if all you want to do is visit quaint fishing villages, sunbathe and enjoy the local delicacies, it would be a travesty not to see Crete's ancient palace cities and visit its stunning gorges and lakes.
Crete is the largest of Greece's plethora of islands. It is split into quarters: Chania, Rethymnon, Iraklion and Agios Nikolaos.
Bustling and cosmopolitan, Chania is the largest town in western Crete and has a population second only to Heraklion.
The Venetian harbour is the centre of Chanian life. The divine architecture lends the town a noble air and the harbour is a meeting place for tourists and locals alike.
Nightlife in Chania is never dull and its selection of restaurants is unrivalled.
Rethymnon, across the island from Chania is an engaging mix of white sand beaches, narrow streets lined with fading pastel-coloured houses and sleepy harbours.
The town has a long and remarkable history while boasting some of the most stunning, unspoilt nature found anywhere on the island.
The centre of the town dates from the Renaissance period and boast spectacular forts and musems - giving curious travellers a robust taste of Greek history and culture.
The inhabitants of the region are warm and friendly and always ready to offer a glass of 'tsikoudia' a strong, locally brewed spirit before you head off to explore the rest of Crete.
If you are hungry to learn about Crete's long and fantastical history, Iraklion - the fifth-largest city in Greece - is buzzing with Greek tradition.
Like most Greek cities, life centres around the square. Dominated by the Fountain of the Lions, built by the cities Venetian governor in 1628 - the square is surrounded by street cafes, shops, vegetable sellers and restaurants.
Remnants of Turkish life and culture are peppered across the city. Near the town's central market is a grand fountain built by the Turks when they converted the nearby Church of the Saviour to the Valide Mosque.
In the old part of the city visitors can walk round the old Venetian walls that meet at the Koules bastion, which dominates the city's old harbour.
Travellers desperate to sample Crete's feverish nightlife can kick off their walking sandals and don their glad rags for the cosmopolitan clubs and bars of Agios Nikolaos, Crete's most developed town.
However, as with the rest of Greece, tourism does not signal a lack of culture. Agios Nikolaos is a stunning paradise, just as ideal for ramblers and nature buffs as party people.
The region's awesome lake is linked to the turquoise Agean sea, while the surrounding red rocks and towering trees make it a surreal sight.
Legend has it that the Goddess Athene washed her hair in the blue waters of the lake.
A land of gods and warriors, of sleepy fishing villages and colourful towns, Crete's diversity is unrivalled. Culturally rich and aesthetically beautiful, travellers will never be let down by Crete - the birthplace of gods and home of heart-warming Greek hospitality.
