Crete

This is Crete’s Far East: a barren, rocky landscape, austere and appealing at the same time. The shimmering... deep blue water of the Aegean Sea reveals itself whenever you catch a glimpse of the coastal line. The monastery Moni Toplou, a palace, a beach full of palm trees. The solitude emanating from such sites makes the coast fully unique - nonetheless, this is only the case during off-season. In the months of July and August, for instance, the palm tree beach in Vai is traditionally overflowing with tourists. Kato Zakros is also the site of the fourth Minoan palace (alongside Knossos, Phaistos and Malia). It was stumbled upon by a farmer while ploughing his land and has remained relatively intact. Another cherished destination is the bay with its many taverns along the beach. The numerous wells and fountains in the palace point to the abundance of water in the premises of the palace. With a spark of imagination, you might even get an idea of the way the different halls and courtyards of the palace were geographically configured. The aesthetic beauty of the palace is further underlined by a few cypresses. The silence and remoteness of the palace, however, disguises its significance beyond the immediate sphere of Kato Zakros; after all, its historical trajectory dates all the way back to trade links with Egypt 3,500 years ago. more

As soon as sunset begins in Ágios Nikolaos, the time has come to stroll along the water front while... looking at the wide and its seemingly never-ending landscape of the sea. The cafes, located at the small Lake Voulismeni, are crowded with people. A small canal connects this sweet water lake with the harbor on the opposite side. Ágios Nikolaos is close to the mountain village of Kritsa, well-known for its white houses which seemingly stick to the white rocks. The idyllic area is not untouched, however; this is reflected in the several organized bus tours to Kritsa, which are on offer in virtually every village on the island, not the least because of the beautiful Byzantine church Panagia Kera and its equally impressive, multi-colored frescos. A trip to the Minoan palace of Malia provides informative insights into the island’s Minoan heyday. The popular bathing resort Ágios Nikolaos can be found on a peninsula in the Gulf of Mirabello. The many and well-equipped beaches in the area are easily accessible. Further, Ágios Nikolaos is a perfect point of departure to explore mountain villages, Minoan palaces as well as the island of Spinaloga and its former leper colony. more

The monastery located above the south coast east of Plakias is not only one of the most idyllic but also... one of most famous monasteries of Crete. It is still a symbol of Crete’s fight for freedom and independence. During the Turkish rule the freedom fighters in the surrounding mountains found shelter inside the monastery walls; Preveli became a significant center of resistance. As an act of revenge, the Turks lit the monastery several times and ravaged it heavily. During the Second World War, many people looked once more for shelter and refuge here, this time from the German troops. Boats took about 5,000 people from Prevli to a safe place. Today, two monks still live in the monastery, which is among the most-visited sights of Crete. more