Greece is the cradle of the “kafeneio” culture, which is still a way of life all over the country. Yesteryear, a kafeneio was a place where common folk met to engage in political debates, gossip, chat, play tavli (backgammon), drink Greek coffee, ouzo or raki, or just hang out and talk about politics
Suppose any movie can account for one that genuinely put Crete on the map. In that case, that’s Zorba the Greek, based on the 1946 novel “Life and Times of Alexis Zorbas” by Creta’s beloved son, author Nikos Kazantzakis, and directed in 1964 by Greek Cypriot filmmaker Michael Cacoyannis. The movie stars
As the seat of the University of Crete, Rethymno has a young, vibrant feel and entertainment opportunities galore for students and their peers. This is not to say that the city doesn’t offer romantic venues and opportunities for families to spend quality time while they vacation on the island. Rethymno
When you visit Crete, you will invariably fall in love with the landscapes, the people, and even its tastes. Food tastes better on the island that inspired the Mediterranean diet. Cretan handicrafts make lovely souvenirs too. If you want a small part of the island with you, here are some of the keepsakes
When you travel to Crete with children, you will appreciate the wealth of things to see and do. From the beach all the way up to the mountains, the island offers all kinds of attractions for the little ones. Here are five of the top activities available for kids on Crete. 1. Beach Fun for All Ages
Springtime is perhaps the best season to spend a holiday on Crete island: the temperature is pleasantly-mild, there are not many tourists, and nature brings about its most spectacular floral landscapes in hundreds of colorful shades of blossoms and green. Traditions play an essential part every spring on
Your next best Cretan experience will be beautifully local when you explore one of the traditional villages at the throbbing heart of the island. These settlements combine tradition and authenticity with the locals’ deep respect for nature and its bounty. Leave the popular tourist trails behind you and
With a history stretching back 107 years, the Rethymno Carnival is Crete’s bacchanal preceding 40 days of solemn fasting, prayer, and repentance during the Greek Orthodox Great Lent called Sarakosti. The first carnival in Rethymno took place in 1914, and it featured a ball, a parade, games and jokes, and
When you visit Crete, you want to adventure in the mountains and know where you can find accommodation or just a roof over your head and a modest, honest-to-God bite to eat. There’s nothing glamorous about mountain shelters – they are there to give you peace of mind and a haven when you are out and
Crete has some of Greece’s most unique wilderness areas to enjoy a year-round destination for nature lovers. A few of the island’s remarkable attractions include the world-famous Samaria Gorge, Psilorites Natural Park, and finally, Sitia Global Geopark. Here’s a brief preview of these “bucket list”
