<h1 class="ChapterName">Crete <span class="Header-Translation">Κρήτη</span></h1>
<p>On an island barely 250km long, palm-tree forests collide with mountain ravines; sheltered, white-sand coves lie alongside
slopes of olive groves; and windmill-strewn plains are minutes from limestone caverns. Crete’s diversity is as cultural as
it is environmental. Isolating mountain ranges have preserved rural lifestyles that seem completely removed from the cities
and tourist towns along the coast. Its location as the southernmost point in Europe invited influence from the Egyptians and
Phoenicians along with the Turks, Venetians, and Germans, the echoes of which can be seen in everything from ancient ruins
to WWII memorials strewn across the island. Fusing together Eastern, African, Mediterranean, and European influences, the
laid-back sensibility of this island is distinctly Cretan.</p>
<p>The seeds of civilization (as well as the first olives) were planted in Crete, with records of life on the island dating
back to 6000 BC. Its ruins predate Hellenic culture, attesting to the advancement of Minoan society. Disasters—earthquakes,
a tidal wave from an enormous volcanic eruption on Santorini, and Mycenaean invasions—plagued third millennium BC Minoan society
until the civilization was wiped out entirely. Power struggles ensued for the next 3000 years as empires strove to claim this
hotly contested island as their own. Dorians occupied the island in the eighth century BC, followed 1000 years later by Romans.
Next, Crete fell under rickety Byzantine rule before Arabs conquered the island in AD 827, only to lose it again to the Byzantines.
In 1204, the Byzantines again ceded the island, this time to Frankish crusaders. When it was finally sold to the Venetian
Empire, Crete became a thriving commercial hub dominated by Venetian nobles and local merchants. In 1646 the island fell to
the Turks, who reigned over the resentful islanders until the Cretans finally won independence in 1898, 70 years after most
of Greece. After the Balkan Wars, Crete joined the Greek state. A strong guerrilla resistance combated the German occupation
here during WWII, leaving the islanders with a justifiable sense of pride about their indomitable nature.</p>
<p>Though Crete is divided into four prefectures—Chania, Iraklion, Lasithi, and Rethymno—the territorial divisions do not undermine
the feeling of unity. According to a Greek saying, a Cretan’s first loyalty is to his island, his second to his country. Crete’s
sense of identity, however, also expresses itself in an overwhelming hospitality, as natives strive to show visitors why their
island is so exceptional. Don’t be surprised to be invited in to share watermelon or a bottle of <em>raki</em> with your pension hosts on a hot day. Locals are eager to share their insider knowledge of secluded beaches and gorgeous
hikes with interested visitors. Yet Crete’s spirit is almost impossible to capture or define, as its best qualities—the relaxed
pace of life, rebellious streak, and seemingly infinite diversity—are only minuscule samples of the island’s rich offerings.</p>
<div class=" Highlights
">
<h4>Highlights Of Crete</h4>
<ul>
<li><span class="Highlights-Run-in">Hop</span> around the caves of the former hippie mecca of <strong>Matala</strong> (p. 490). </li>
<li><span class="Highlights-Run-in">Relax</span> in the peaceful, waterfront city of <strong>Sitia</strong> (p. 501). </li>
<li><span class="Highlights-Run-in">Hike</span> through the beautiful and lively <strong> Death Gorge</strong> (p. 505). </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="Ikonbox"><span class="Ikon-Ikonbox ikon_119"></span>
<ul>
<li><span class="Ikonbox-Head">Getting There.</span>  <strong>Olympic Airways</strong> (☎<a href="tel:21096 66 666">21096 66 666</a>) and <strong>Aegean/Cronus Airlines</strong> (☎<a href="tel:21099 88 300">21099 88 300</a>) run frequent, cheap, and fast domestic flights from Athens to Iraklion, Chania, and Sitia. Consult the <strong>Transportation</strong> section of your destination for more information on flights. Many travelers take the 14hr. ferry from Piraeus to Crete, landing
in Iraklion, Chania, Sitia, or occasionally Rethymno or Agios Nikolaos. Boats run frequently during the summer, but often
on an irregular schedule. All prices listed are for deck-class accommodations; bring a sleeping bag to snooze on the deck
or lounge. </li>
</ul>
</div>
2010-01-04T20:44:40+00:00
116
false
21159
Overview
0
831
19732
2010-02-16T21:44:30+00:00