Crete

«Amid the black depths lies a land called Crete, beautiful and fertile, surrounded by the sea. ».

This is how Homer, eight centuries before Christ , described Crete , the largest of the Greek islands situated in the south end of Greece . Crete is a land of culture and beauty, a welcome territory, wild and sunny. Mycenaeans, Dorians, Minoans , Romans, Byzantines , Venetians and Turks have left their traces in Crete. Their imprint is reflected in the interior of the island such as in its coastline, architecture, ports, flavors and traditions. Cretans maintained a leisurely pace of life and genuine friendliness. You are invited to learn the virtues of the Mediterranean diet, the secret of longevity …

How to reach Crete
Charter flights to Heraklion airport from Paris and other interantional cities.

Heraklion and its region

Héraklion is the main port of Crète, is the birthplace of the Minoan civilization as reflected in the fabulous palace of King Minos at Knossos .Torn between his modern city and old town, surrounded by thick walls sheltering buildings dated of all periods and protecting its Venetian harbor, Heraklion is the historical capital city of Crete. All around the coast recites the rosary beautiful beaches and lively resorts. Heraklion is surrounded by long coasts with animated beautiful beaches. 

Top attractions :

• The old town and the Venetian harbor
• The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion
• Knossos, the palace of King Minos, the larger Minoan site of Crete, discovered in 1900.
• The long beaches and resorts along the coast.
• The hinterland and its traditional villages.

Chania & Western Crete

Chania: a charming town with its narrow paved streets, its folk art shops, traditional taverns , its old houses … The waters of the Venetian port of amber and gold tint reinforcing the romance of the city. To the east lies the vast sandy beach of Georgioupolis and its resorts. To the west and south, a genuine and fertile region, made up of ports and peaceful villages, wild gorges, wooded valleys, long beaches and secret coves…

Top attractions :

• Chania, its neoclassical mansions, Venetian and Ottoman ruins, its streets
• Agia Triada, the Akrotiri peninsula and the tomb of Venizelos.
• The island of Gramvoussa, its Venetian fortress and its lagoon with crystal clear waters.
• The beautiful White Mountains, plateaus of Omalos and Askifou and hiking trails.
• The peninsula of Paleochora and the ruins of its Venetian fort, overlooking one of the most beautiful beaches of Crete.
• The Samaria Gorge, the longest in Europe! Flooded in winter, it offers in the summer one of the most beautiful hiking trails of the island.
• The Imbros Gorge and Agia Irini.
• The coastal villages of Loutro and Agia Roumeli, at the foot of the gorge, accessible only on foot or by boat from the port of Sfakia.

Rethymnon & its region

One of the prettiest towns in Crete! Its old town contains architectural treasures, memories of Ottoman and Venetian periods, imbued with a strong Cretan identity. Around: beautiful sandy beaches, monasteries, rural landscapes and fishing villages, mixed typical flavors, traditional shops or fashionable, trendy bars and nightlife!

Top attractions :

• The Venetian town of Rethymno.
• Bali and pleasant fishing port.
• Arkadi Monastery, essential site of modern Cretan history.
• The village of Armeni and Minoan necropolis.
• The beautiful beach of Platanias.
• Fodele , pretty village and birthplace of the painter ” El Greco ” ( museum dedicated to the painter ) 
• The plateau of Nida, its rural landscapes, Byzantine chapels.
• The hinterland and its traditional villages, including Argiroupoli, one of the most beautiful in Crete with its natural springs.

Elounda & Agios Nikolaos

At the edge of the Mirabello Bay, on its scalloped coastline coves or large beaches, is Elounda, A small fishing port became fashionable resort without losing its charm, and Agios Nikolaos, the local Saint- Tropez with tasty taverns. Between an authentic and unspoilt hinterland, and the clear waters of the Aegean,
the term ” good life ” makes sense.

Top attractions :

• The ports of Elounda and Agios Nikoalos.
• The shores of the Mirabello Bay, one of the most beautiful in Greece!
• The islet of Spinalonga, in the heart of the bay.
• Mount Dikte, Lassithi plateau, typical rural landscape and wind turbines.
• The monastery of Kera, Kardiodissa, and its Byzantine frescoes.
• Cave Psychro, birthplace of Zeus.

Sitia, Ierapetra & Oriental Crete

The road which leads to the eastern end of the island offers panoramic views. You will adimire a beautiful and wild nature region. Magnificent beaches, Minoan ruins, authentic villages … A region to discover, between the Aegean and the Libyan Seas.

Top Attractions:

• The oriental coast of the Mirabello bay and the Chrissy isle.
• Sitia and the palm grove of Vai.
• The Monastery of Toplou , containing a priceless icon.
• The beachfront Minoan palace of Zakros.
• Ierapetra with its original beaches.

Southern Crete

Between the majestic mountains and the Lybian Sea, the South Coast is a place of wild preserved nature where landforms and vegetation kept their rights, and change dramatically. At each stop, great beaches, picturesque villages and historical discoveries enrich your trip.

Top attractions :

• Zaros and its inland, experienced hikers, painters and lovers of authenticity.
• The charming port of Matala, with its caves and cave dwellings.
• Gortys, the ancient Roman capital of the province of Messara.
• Minoan ruins of Phaestos and Agia Triada.
• The picturesque harbor of Agia Galini and sea caves.
• Plakias, fishing port charm intact.
• The Monastery of Preveli, center of Cretan resistance overlooking the Sea of Libya.