DK Travel : Crete

Although it could not be more Greek, Crete is really a country within a country, with its own history, folklore and traditions. It was the birthplace of Europe’s oldest civilization, the enigmatic Minoan culture which flourished over 4,000 years ago. Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Saracens, Venetians and Turks also left their mark. This rich human heritage is set against the backdrop of magnificent mountain scenery and beaches lapped by a deep blue sea.

Top Hanas, Chania

Wonderful stock of old Cretan rugs, blankets and kilims.
Topolia

This village, en route from Kastelli to Paleochora, stands amid farm terraces, fields and olive groves, in a well watered valley which leads into Kartsomatados Gorge. Its small church of Agia Paraskevi dates from the late Byzantine era.
Travellers on the Way to the Monastery of St Catherine by El Greco

El Greco’s only painting to be seen in Crete (in the Historical Museum in Knosos).
Tsikoudia

Tsikoudia or raki (like Italian grappa) is a colourless spirit distilled from the skins and stems left after grape pressing. You may see market traders starting the day with a shot of tsikoudia and a strong coffee. It is also drunk after meals.
Tsoutsouros

This ramshackle settlement along a peaceful, grey sand beach has ambitions to become a fully-fledged holiday resort but hasn’t yet made the grade. It is a pleasant enough place for an overnight stop.
Union with Greece

In 1905 Eleftherios Venizelos – a minister in Prince George’s governorship of Crete – calls for a nationalist revolution and in 1908 the Cretan Assembly declares union (enosis ) with Greece.
Vai

The main claim to fame of the beach at Vai is in having the only wild palm grove in Europe. The palm forest apparently existed at least 2,000 years ago, so may have been planted by early navigators from the Middle East who came to Crete. The drawbacks are that the palm trees are fenced off and protected, and the beach becomes overrun with visitors in high season. Nevertheless, it is beautiful, especially if visited outside the busiest summer months of June, July and August.
Vai

A further 6 km (4 miles) brings you to Vai, the easternmost point of this drive, on a peninsula which stretches towards Crete’s northeast tip (inaccessible as it is a military area). Vai’s famous palm forest is now a conservation area. The beach is very crowded in high season, but for a little more seclusion you can walk for 20–30 minutes to the less crowded coves at Itanos.

Via beach
Vai

Vai’s beach is certainly the most scenic in eastern Crete, with yellow sand and a grove of date palms giving it a truly tropical appearance.
Vai

A group of sturdy date palms on a crescent of sandy beach at Vai is claimed to be Europe’s only palm forest. The palms may originally have been planted by Arab raiders or ancient Phoenicians. Today the palm grove is carefully protected.