Guide to Crete
Crete is an island of myth and legend where white sandy beaches bask in the long summer of the southern Aegean. Probably the most famous of the Greek islands, Crete is an intriguing mix of lively beachfront resorts, historic Venetian ports, majestic mountains with deep gorges and vast areas of untouched countryside.
Home to the legendary birthplace of the Greek God Zeus and the Palace of Knossos where Theseus slew the Minotaur, Crete is also modern tourist destination where vibrant cities have colourful shopping, a lively nightlife and simple fresh food.
Our villas in Crete are either close to the quiet coves and white sandy beaches of the coast, or in pretty mountain villages where you can soak up the charm and culture of traditional Greek life.
Eastern Crete
Eastern Crete is the driest area of the island although it still has a lot of olive trees planted there. The area around Agios Nikolaos and Mirambello bay has become a major tourist area, but a lot of the eastern end of the island remains untouched by modern living – in fact it is possibly the least spoilt and least developed area of the island. Towards the centre of the island is very important architecturally and is home to the Minoan palace of Knossos.
Western Crete
Western Crete is the greenest and most mountainous area of Crete. The White Mountains or Lefka Ori dominate the landscape and rise to 2500m. The fall dramatically into the sea in the south and are slashed with deep gorges which attract numerous walkers each year.The scenery is magnificent and it is the most attractive area of the island. To the north the hillsides and coastal plains are striped with olive trees and fragrant citrus fruit, and the northern coast is dotted with pretty beaches and a number of tourist resorts.
