Yannis Divramis 
Souda Bay is one of the largest and safest natural harbours in the whole Mediterranean, a long, deep inlet cut into the north-west coast of Crete just east of Chania. Ferries from Piraeus glide in to dock at the port of Souda, and a naval base guards the sheltered water. The southern shore holds a … Read more
Lentas rests on the far south coast of Crete, tucked below the Asterousia mountains in the Heraklion region. The drive down from the Messara plain climbs slowly over the ridge, and that long, twisting road keeps the village far from the mass-tourism track. Travellers reach a place where pebble beaches, clear water and simple tavernas … Read more
Agiofarango Gorge cuts through the Asterousia mountains on the far south coast of Crete, deep inside the Heraklion region near the Odigitria monastery. The name means ‘gorge of the saints’, drawn from the hermit caves and rock chapels that monks once used inside its walls. A gentle two-kilometre walk between tall limestone cliffs delivers you … Read more
Renting a car is the practical way to explore Crete, the largest of the Greek islands. The finest beaches, deep gorges and mountain villages lie far beyond the reach of the island bus network, so a vehicle turns a fixed itinerary into a flexible one. Rental desks wait at Heraklion and Chania airports, at the … Read more
Crete boat trips open a coastline that roads never reach, carrying travellers to offshore islands, hidden coves and sea caves that stay empty of crowds. From the harbour at Kissamos in the west, cruises sail out to a turquoise lagoon and a pirate island crowned by a Venetian fort. Southern boats cross to palm beaches … Read more
Kolymbari rests quietly at the base of the Rodopou peninsula on the north-west coast of Crete, west of Chania. The village faces the sea with a pebble beach and a small harbour, drawing visitors who seek clear water and a slower pace away from large resort developments. Olive groves blanket the surrounding hills, and the … Read more
Chrysoskalitissa Monastery rises from a rocky outcrop above the turquoise waters of southwest Crete, its brilliant white walls gleaming against the deep blue Mediterranean. Perched in the remote Chania region, this working convent draws visitors with its legendary golden step, sweeping coastal panoramas, and serene spiritual atmosphere. The monastery stands a short drive north of … Read more
Apokoronas spreads across the green foothills east of Chania, a fertile pocket of north-west Crete where stone villages sit among olive groves and cypress trees. Vamos, Gavalochori, Almyrida and Kalyves hold restored Venetian houses, shaded squares and traditional tavernas that give travellers a settled, lived-in feel far removed from resort strips. Sandy beaches at Almyrida … Read more
The White Mountains dominate western Crete as a vast limestone massif rising to over two thousand four hundred metres at Pachnes summit. Pale rock gives Lefka Ori its name, gleaming under the Mediterranean sun and holding snow patches into early summer. Deep gorges slice through the range toward the Libyan Sea, while the high Omalos … Read more
Gavdos rises from the Libyan Sea as Greece’s southernmost inhabited territory, a windswept speck of land where Europe finally ends. Fewer than one hundred permanent residents share this remote island with seasonal travellers drawn to its wild beaches, cedar-fringed coves, and skies untouched by light pollution. Ferries from Chora Sfakion and Paleochora bring visitors willing … Read more