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Highlights

Places of interest

• Samaria Gorges - Crete has the longest gorge in Europe and second in the world to the Grand Canyon. You get to it by a ferry and you stop on your way at a village called Lutra, only accessible by boat. The gorge cuts through the White Mountains. Apart from its beauty, the gorge is teeming with wildlife and there are incredible wildflowers during spring.
  
  
• Knossos Palace - This palace, in a beautiful site just 5 km southeast of Heraklion, is the most magnificent and evocative of Crete's Minoan sites. Admission is around 6 Euros, 4 Euros students with official ID and people of 65 or over. Apr to mid-Oct, open daily 8am-8pm. Mid-Oct to Mar, open from Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; Sat-Sun 8:30am-3pm.
  
  
• The Archaeological museum in Heraklion - It is famous for its huge Minoan collection.
  Opening times: April to mid-October: Tuesday to Sunday 8am-8 pm / Monday 12.30-8 pm. Mid - October to March: closes daily at 5 pm.
  Around 10 Euros for adults and 6 Euros for students with official ID and people of 65 and over.
  
  
• Chania Area - Stroll through the streets of the old town that is an intact neighbourhood of the original Venetian buildings. The fortifications date from the 13th century. There is an archaeological and a naval museum, as well as the Historical Archives of Crete. Its picturesque Venetian Harbour is also well worth to visit.
  
  
• Spinalonga Island - made famous as the setting of the film 'who pays the ferryman?' Thousands of visitors come here every year to see the ruins of the Venetian Fortress and Leper colony. You take a boat ride over and you are given plenty of time to explore the island. It is a great place to enjoy a barbeque of real Greek food and have a swim in the beautiful water before heading back. A very relaxing day out.

Beaches

• Malia Beaches - Malia has a good choice of sandy beaches. These range from the busy Dolphin and Agapi beaches at the bottom of Beach Road where you'll find sun loungers and water sports - to the larger and quieter Tropical, a popular choice with families. All conveniently offer snacks and drinks.
  The beach in Malia is just the coolest place to be in the day time. There are also 3 or 4 Water Sports centres.
  
  
• Stalis - vast expanse of beautiful sandy beach. It is a short taxi ride from Hersonissos. It can be a little crowded during the summer months but will give you a change of scenery and there are lots of amenities close at hand.
  
  
• Preveli beach in Rethymnon - It is one of the most attractive of the island. It boastsboastsboastsboasts crystal clear waters and many palm trees. Follow the river beds of Kourtaliotis River, which ends up at Preveli beach forming natural pools of river water among the boulders.

Activities

• Crete is a veritable paradise for trekking, provided you don't come during the hot summer months.
  
  
• Cycle through the escarpment villages and valleys of the north coast, the Mesara Plain of the south and on and down from the plateaus.
  
  
• Water park
  
  
• Watersports generally available in the tourist areas.

Things to Buy

• Tsikoudia or Raki local high street spirit
  
  
• Traditional woven fabrics, Cretan Rugs and Blankets
  
  
• Ceramics
  
  
• Silverware

Climate