The Island of Crete

The island of Crete is a haven. I say this also from first hand experience, as I am here right now!

For so many people who visit Greece, they have "their" island- the one they call their second home, or that generally is their happy place. And for more than half of those who frequent Greece, Crete is that place for them.

Now, what makes Crete so special? For one, its massive size allows for more than just one hotspot. The areas of Heraklion, Chania, Elounda, Malia, Rethymno, Ierapetra, and Agios Nicholas are just a few of the most popular places for vacationing in Crete.

Historically speaking, Crete was a central point of war, culture, and trade during the Bronze Age. The Minoans were the first civilization to flourish in Crete during this time, primarily in Phaistos and Knossos. In fact, Knossos is quite close to the current capital city of Crete, Heraklion, and it is an incredible archaeological site to visit, seeing the remains of the Minoans' first palace. You may have heard of the mythological story involving the Minoans' king, King Minos and the Minotaur? Yeah, he was the guy who ruled over the Labyrinth in Crete where the half man-half bull Minotaur was waiting to devour people. I always thought that was King Minos's way of keeping his citizens in check...

In addition to the Minoans, the Mycenaeans were also ruling in ancient Crete. These civilizations flourished even past the eruption of Santorini's "Thera" volcano, but started to die out upon a later earthquake and subsequent massive fire.

Anyways, back to modern Crete.

For many, Crete is home to the best food in all of Greece, which is also the popular opinion of the Greeks themselves. The tavernas, the seafood, the bakeries, and everything in between...wow!

When you're here, be sure to try a dakos salad, mizithropita/nerati, skioufihta, and dolmadakia anthos (I know the only familiar word in those was probably "salad," but trust me on this one). There are many traditional Cretan dishes, but there are a few of my favorites. Oh, and of course Raki. The Cretan's own tsipouro, which you can find at every restaurant, is the perfect digestif (albeit, with a strong taste).

Whether you are traveling with a family, group of friends, honeymoon, or anything in between, Crete is a perfect destination. Of course, certain areas of Crete are better than others for these occasions, so let me make some recommendations:

Here with your family? Elounda, Chania, Rethymno, and Ierapetra have amazing and family-friendly hotels, great restaurants, and amazing places for swimming. If you are into hiking, Crete is an amazing spot with its plethora of gorges all throughout the island.

Here with your friends? If you are looking to go out or find activities, I recommend starting in Heraklion for a concert or local event, as they have a lot there. Malia is a sort of known as a party spot in Crete for British tourists, but I personally recommend Chania and Rethymno for a more mild scene with seaside bars that provide a nice nightlife, great food, and swimming.

Here on your honeymoon or for a romantic getaway? Elounda and Chania are the most romantic spots. Elounda has some reallyyyy nice hotels with amazing spas and is a bit of a quieter area, while Chania has more variety and activities in addition to the romance. One other place you could consider that I recommend is Agia Pelagia, a quaint and incredible village-esque spot in the north of Crete that used to be a fishing village, but now is a great spot for romantic travelers.

To be honest, you cannot go wrong in Crete. My days here are spent by the beach, in the sea, and eating amazing food. But that's a Greek summer, isn't it?