DK Travel : Crete : Outdoor

Page
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Waterskiing

Waterskiing, though expensive, is available at most of the bigger resorts.
White Mountains (Lefka Ori)

The White Mountain region of Crete is one of Europe’s pocket wildernesses, a region of savage, desert mountains traversed by deep gorges through which small streams flow in spring. The best known of these is the lovely Samaria Gorge (see Samaria Gorge). In winter, the White Mountain peaks are under heavy snow, but in summer temperatures can rise to 35°C.
Wild Goat

The Cretan wild goat, or kri-kri , is one of Europe’s rarest mammals. The shy creature is found in small numbers in the Samaria Gorge National Park, in the heart of the White Mountains and on Dia Island, off Crete’s north coast.
Wild Olive

The wild olive hangs on in the sheltered gorges of Crete’s rocky slopes where few other trees thrive.
Windsurfing

Boards are readily available for hire, and the best beaches are Georgioupoli, Chersonisos, Malia, Ierapetra and Plakias.
Xerokampos

A tiny village with a series of small, sandy east-facing coves, one of the few coast places not yet discovered by the package tourism industry.
Yacht Sailing

Yachts can be chartered “bareboat” (without skipper or crew), fully crewed or with a skipper only. The National Tourism Organisation has a list of charter companies.
Yellow Bee Orchid

The yellow bee orchid, bearing flowers that imitate the insects it attracts, blooms profusely on mountain slopes in spring.
Yellow Horned Poppy

This poppy lends a splash of colour to rocky stretches of the Cretan foreshore.
Zakros Gorge

Also known as the “Valley of the Dead”, the walk through the Zakros Gorge follows a dry stream bed through eroded limestone cliffs with caves that were used as tombs by the Minoans.