Crete is a tapestry of splendid beaches, ancient treasures and landscapes, weaving in vibrant cities and dreamy villages, where locals share their traditions, wonderful cuisine and generous spirit. Crete’s natural beauty is equaled only by the richness of its history. The island is the birthplace of the first advanced society on European soil, the Minoans, who ruled some 4000 years ago. Crete offers Byzantine influences in their magnificent fresco chapels and the oldest vestiges in the world throughout the island, the most famous being the Palace of Knossos. 

 

Untouched by mass tourism, villages are the backbone of Cretan culture and identity – especially those tucked in hills and mountains. There you will see locals still practicing traditions and their unique customs in a timeless setting. Wandering around the Old Town’s maze-like alleys with the beautiful Venetian mansions, the fountains and the elaborate churches that help you discover the remnants of older civilizations.