Crete

General

Airports / Rent a car Presently there are two airports on the island of Crete: Heraklion and Chania. Outside the airport there are buses and taxis providing regular connections to major tourist destinations. The majority of flights do a stopover in Athens. A great way to visit the island of Crete and its more "secret" places is by renting a car. On the island of Crete (particularly in tourist areas and near major hotels), there are numerous places for rental cars, bikes and motorcycles. Thanks to tourism, the road network of Crete is well maintained. The expressway (built just recently) enables fast travel to major cities of the island. Most of the road signs are written in Greek.

Language

Modern Greek (also known as Demotiki), which is the Greek spoken today, is a language derived from vulgar Greek and was made official in 1976. It is very different, both in pronunciation and vocabulary, from ancient Greek. In the main tourist resorts, hotels, restaurants and shops, people also speak English, French, German and Italian. You'll also find menus, directions and tourist brochures written in Italian, English, French and German.

Currency

The official currency is the Euro.

Local time

The time zone is GMT +2h.

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts. In the case of different socket, you can buy an adapter locally or at the airport. When you enter, your telephone will automatically connect to a Greek telephone operator. For calls to Greece, the country code is +30, following with the local area code.

Best travel time

Crete prevails in a temperate climate with mild winters and hot summers. In mountainous areas the climate is different than the rest of the island. The mountains act as a barrier of sorts as they protect the island from the winds and clouds.

Visa requirements

The norms of the European Union rule over Greek visa regulations. To enter Greece simply an identity card or passport is required for member states of the Schengen area, otherwise you need a Schengen Visa. For children under 15 years without a personal document you must present the birth certificate with a photograph of the child. The certificate may be obtained from the municipality of residence

Traditions and Culture

Although the tourism industry in Crete is very strong, the island is presented with a very folkloric side. For example, among the local people a passion for dancing and folk music is still present. The most popular dance among the inhabitants of Crete is the Sirtaki, a captivating dance. Crete is also an island where there are vast orchards full of citrus, cherries, walnuts, almonds and grapes. In the countryside women still carry out traditional activities: how to wind wool on a spool and work the loom. In the past the island of Crete was the territory of the Byzantine and Turkish conquests. The result is a wonderful architectural mix divided between minarets and churches, mosques and cathedrals. In Crete Eastern culture mingles with that of the West. In recent decades, Crete has become a major tourist destination in Greece and today tourism is one of the main economic factors of the island. Nevertheless, Crete has kept a folk side, which goes beyond mere tourist attraction. The inhabitants of Crete are very attached to their dances, music and traditional dishes. Crete is divided between tourism and tradition. While the inhabitants of Crete have become accustomed to this new style of life characterized by where many visitors go to a growing number of hotels and resorts. On the other hand, there is still a part of the population that practice is still work in agriculture, collecting and crafts, such as the village of Anogia, where the textile business is practiced.

Religion

Over 90% of the population is Greek Orthodox. Religious ceremonies are a very impressive performances, as the Orthodox liturgy is based on a number of rituals. In the country there are also minorities of Jews, Protestants, Catholics and Moslems.

Landscape

Crete is the largest of the Greek Islands and is divided into four administrative regions: Iraklion, Rethimnon, Lassitiki and Chania. The island's capital is Iraklion, which has a population of over 130 000 inhabitants. The island separates Europe from Africa and the Aegean and the Libyan seas stream against the island. Crete is characterized by the diversity of its territory: miles of beaches and fertile highlands, but also the presence of three mountain ranges with peaks of over 2000 meters.

By boat

You can reach the island of Crete by sea.

By bus

The island can be navigated easily by bus. Buses circulate every day and provide links to the main tourist destinations, but also into small towns not invaded by mass tourism.

By taxi

Outside the airport and major tourist destinations there is taxi service 24/7.

Sights

Heraklion: is the capital of the island and is a city where the ancient blends with the modern. On the one hand, the city has beautiful buildings, monuments and churches from both the Eastern and Venetian culture, while on the other hand it is a lively holiday destination which has many hotels, restaurants, beaches and localities. In Iraklion, there are two important museums: the archaeological museum and the historical and ethnographic museum. The Palace of Knossos is a few miles from the center; it was built by the Minoan civilization. Rethimnon: in this city - the third-largest on the island - you can see the minaret and the mosque of Neratzes. Along the city there are also buildings that recall the Venetian Renaissance era. Chania is a picturesque town that is home to several museums, such as: the archaeological museum (which includes several collections of vases and sculptures) and the Naval Museum. Crete is not just an island full of towns and beaches; its hinterland is characterized by mountain ranges and vast expanses of orchards. An impressive natural spectacle is given by the splendid gorge of Samaria. These gorges are located forty kilometers from the city of Chania, with a length of 18 km they are considered the longest in Europe. The Samaria Gorge is a UNESCO World Heritage and a national park. Strolling through the park you can also see different plant species and some cute animals (weasels, marmots and badgers).

Food

The Cretan diet is characterized by its dishes based on fresh meat or fish. Among the dishes are: Moussaka, a casserole or fried eggplant; ground beef, tomatoes, onions and Greek traditional cheese, Greek salad, made with fete; tomatoes, olives and fresh Tsatsiki, the Greek yoghurt sauce; cucumbers and garlic seasoned with a little oil and vinegar.