"There is a place in the middle of the wine-dark sea called Crete, a lovely, fruitful land surrounded by the sea" are the words that Homer used. Crete is not an island, it’s a way of life. Not just a summer destination, with some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean, it has a lot more to offer than “dakos”, “raki” and “moussaka”. By Sandy Tsantaki
How come today Crete is more popular than ever? According to Trip Advisor the Greek island is considered to be one of the Top Five destinations for tourists around the world for 2019 (Travelers’ Choice Awards for Destinations).
Crete ranked fourth on the list, after Paris and Rome. London is in the first place, according to ratings in hotels, restaurants, monuments, experiences. London, Paris, Rome, Crete, Bali on the Top 5 and then Phuket, Barcelona, Istanbul, Marrakesh, Dubai for the 10 best list for 2019.
What Crete has to offer is a variety of choices, not only regarding photogenic locations but also undeveloped areas, still authentic, still waiting to be discovered, places that only locals know and this is the main reason that holiday homes on the island are attracting every year a strong demand from foreigners around the world.
And if one wishes to know which are the most popular Heraklion areas, he should plan a visit at Aghia Pelagia, Hani, Gouves, Ligaria, Kokkini and also, the tourism developed areas, like Elounda Bay and Lasithi.
And of course there are the most popular destinations while you are there on vacation, that are the favorites of the people who are still nostalgic, and look for a timeless Crete, like the island of Spinalonga, the historic port of Chania, the Lefka Ori mountain range in the west, the cave where Zeus was born, the Lasithi Plateau, mythology and reality.
Don’t forget to visit the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, to learn about the Minoan civilization in the second largest museum in Greece, the Minoan ruins, the Cretan cities, such as Heraklion, which was named after the mythological hero, Hercules, and then explore different flavors and colors from Chania to Knossos and Elafonisi, where everyone can find his favorite spot on the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean sea, a jewel for its archaeological and mythological history. As Woody Allen has said, "I wonder if Socrates and Plato took a house in Crete during the summer."
