Crete resort guide

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The island of Crete is beautiful and it is not uncommon to walk through ruins of the past when strolling around the island.   The climate may be temperate and can be very humid, however, the climate allows for the agriculture to flourish year round and grapes, olives, tomatoes, and oranges are just a few types of agricultural products that thrive on Crete.  Due to the striking landscape and the climate, tourism is a big part of Crete.  

Being the largest island in Greece, Crete covers an area of approximately 8.336 square kilometers.  Located in the Southern Aegean Sea, it is at  a junction of three continents,  Europe, Asia, and Africa.  While the island itself is approximately 260 kilometers in length, the island at its widest is only 60 kilometers.  The isthmus of Ierapetra is the region where the island’s width is at its smallest of only 12 kilometers.  Running from West to East, there are three groups of mountains that not only afford Crete fertile plateaus, but caves and gorges, as well.

Many tourists are attracted to the fabulous hiking along the island of Crete and one of the most famous is Samaria Gorge.  At 18 kilometers in length, it runs from Omalos Plateau to Agia Roumeli village and tourists will be able to see a wide variety of species that are unique to the area.  For the tourist and native alike, gorges such as Samaria and Plyrinia afford one the opportunity to explore the flora and fauna of Greece.  Exploring Samaria Gorge, however, is not for the weak.  To complete the hike, one will need a good seven hours.  For those that want a shorter hike, the Plyrinia Gorge takes approximately 2 hours from start to finish. 

When exploring Crete, may notice the vast amount of plant species on the island.  While there are over 2000 species, only 10 percent of actually native to the island.  Many of them are used for herbal and pharmaceutical purposes and are often sold abroad.  Plants like oregano, thyme, and labdanum are commonly collected and sold for this purpose. 

On the island of Crete, one will also come across an amazing variety of flowers, such as tulips and orchids, as well as species of African trees, such as the cedar.  Of course, there are also a variety of subspecies of animals that are found only in Crete, as well.  The kri kri is a wild goat, often found in the mountains of Crete and the Cretan tree frog is also native to the island. 

The island is also well known for its agricultural.  Located in pastoral villages all over the island, farmers take advantage of the fertile land and grow year round.  Wine is one of the more traditional products to come off the island and although, the wine produced in Crete is not one of the most sought after in Greece, the wine industry is doing quite well.  You’ll also find that olives and olive oil have a long standing history in Crete.  Another big part of the farming industry involves stock farming.  You’ll find many farms in Crete raising goats and sheep, which are raised for their milk, meat, and wool.  Farm tours are quite common on this island. 

Another favorite activity for tourists on Crete are water sports.  Snorkeling and scuba diving are popular activities, as the water is clear and there is almost no current.  Many divers report being able to see a distance of as much as 30 meters and many divers claim that snorkeling on the south coast of the island offers one a greater opportunity to view the variety of sea life.  Before snorkeling or scuba diving, it is wise to find out which venomous fish one needs to beware of.  Of course, water skiing, windsurfing, and sailing are just a few of the other activities that are popular with both the tourist and the native.

The people of Crete take pride in their heritage.  There are many archeological sites and museums in which to visit and one of the most popular is the Heraklion Archaeological Museum.  Home to several exhibits from archeological sites in Crete, one can even view the original fragments of monastery that was destroyed by an earthquake in 1856 as well as artifacts dating back centuries. 

With tourism being a large part of Crete, there are several luxurious resorts in which to stay.  The Blue Palace Resort & Spa is just one of them.  Situated only a few hundred meters of a quaint fishing village, the hotel is surrounded by the natural beauty of the Mediterranean Sea and boasts accommodations such as a fitness center, tennis court, swimming pools, beauty salon, and a children’s club that is supervised by hotel staff.  Many of the resorts and hotels on Crete cater to the family.  For those who prefer a more natural and quaint setting, there are many villas to rent on the island, as well.  Many of these are also very accommodating to children.

When dining in Crete, you will have a array of fine restaurants and taverns in which to choose from.  You’ll find local dishes of Crete to be fish, lobster, lamb, and goat or you can choose an international dish to your liking.  You’ll also find a great choice of Cretan wine to go with your meals.  Whether you choose to have something called brizoles, which are actually pork chops or loukanika, which are spicy sausages, you’ll definitely find something to your liking on the menu.

Whether traveling alone to experience the wonder of Crete or traveling with your family and children, you’ll find the island to be hospitable and welcoming to all ages.  There are a wide array of activities to choose from that both adults and children alike will enjoy.  From a scenic dolphin cruise to sailing on a pirate ship, there is something for everyone.  The island of Crete is a place that once visited, it will never be forgotten.