Page 88 - BLUE INK 2018

Left: One of the many small lakes in the majestic Ha gorge that exits in the plain of Ierapetra.
Right: The palm forest of Preveli at the mouth of the Kourtaliótiko gorge.
Myou dream about all winter long – all that is Crete is here.
“...on Crete everything is myth, legend and
history: the mountains, the grottoes, the
gorges, the trees, the stones and even the
scent of the shrubs in bloom”
Awake your Senses
Discover the Unkonown Crete
Eastern Crete -Book One
G.&A. Mamidakis Foundation
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agical itineraries to tropical beaches; villages that capti- the seaside. The beaches of Sarakiniko and Aghiannis beckon from sunrise to with their cedar-line beaches attract many visitors in the summer months.
vate with the power of simplicity; stark gorges and en- sunset; the interior, wildly beautiful part of the island and the harder-to-reach South of Ierapetra, the islet of Chrysi or Gaidouronisi has plenty of sea-
chanting wild nature; monuments reminding you that it beaches are equally attractive. shells on its northern shores, teal waters and golden sand, making you forget
all began here in the Minoan times; and irresistible tastes Northeast of Chania, near Akrotiri, the beach of Stefanos, close to the Sei- you’re on Greek soil.
tan Limania area, has many devoted fans. Three parallel, oblong bays form In southeast Crete, near Ierapetra in the Lasithi Prefecture, Myrtos, with its
Choices smelling like thyme and holding the energy of a local raki treat. beaches sheltered by the waves, the northernmost one with deep blue wa- dark sand and crystal-clear waters is favored by many because it is sheltered
ters, pebbles, sand and marble rocks towering to the left and right. The area from the strong northerly winds that blow in the area. Others prefer the beach
Surprising beaches is accessed by car, with a small hike down from the parking spot. of Aghia Fotia or Makrygialos; whatever the case, visitors can enjoy crystal-
They say in Crete you can find beaches so exotic that you don’t need to travel In the adjacent Rethymno Prefecture, the Aghios Pavlos beach is a favorite line waters in most beaches around Ierapetra. In the Lasithi Prefecture, Vai
anywhere else in the world. Part of the Natura 2000 Network, Gramvousa, for many. To the west of the Melissa promontory and south of Triopetra, the with its thousands of palm trees is strikingly similar to the Caribbean. East of
the island of pirates, and the Balos lagoon at the northwest of the Chania Pre- wild, unusual scenery of the Aghios Pavlos Dunes has been voted as the best Sitia, this 2000-year-old colony of palm trees spreads over 62 acres and is the
fecture carry you away to the Caribbean with their golden sand, shallow sap- beach in Rethymno. The land caves, the alluring seabed and the water tem- largest natural palm forest in Europe, with indigenous Cretan palms known
phire waters and millions of tiny pink shells. You can access the area by road perature which stays always above 15°C make this an ideal place for swim- since the Minoan era. It is worth noting that a commercial for a chocolate-
up to a point, then walk – don’t forget to take all necessary measures to pro- ming almost throughout the year. If you do find yourselves here, make sure coconut snack that was filmed here made the area hugely famous. However,
tect yourselves from the sun. But you can also reach paradise by boat from not to miss the sunset over the Thronos Mountain. Reaching the Heraclion following the devastating invasion of campers in the ’70s and ’80s, these date-
Kissamos. At Gramvousa you can take the barren paths to the top of the hill in Prefecture, those who want to complete the tour of famous beaches drop by producing palms are now protected by fencing. The exotic beach with the fine
order to visit the castle and enjoy the amazing views over Kythira and Mount Matala, at the edge of the Messara valley and Asterousia, to visit the rocky white sand and few pebbles is a major attraction, while the marvelous scenery
Taygetus. The boat will then take you to Balos, where you will go ashore with caves where hippies hung out in the 1970s. Enjoy the 300-meter-long beach is complemented by the islets across the bay.
with its fine pebbles and deep, crystal-clear waters – as long as you don’t
smaller boats. At the southwest of the same prefecture, the idyllic scenery
continues on to Elafonisi. You can easily get here by car to take in the beauty mind the strong westerlies that raise enormous waves. Leaving the area and Traditional villages that make an impression
of the turquoise waters and fine white sand, pinkish from the seashells. For heading towards Elounda, Crete’s Côte d’Azur, it is worth taking notice of a Archanes is a model village on the island. Well-preserved and with a
other fans of Crete, paradise lies at Gavdos, Europe’s southernmost point. small island called Kolokytha and especially the beach of Aghios Loukas distinct ambiance, it is considered one of the loveliest in Europe, with its
This is a triangular, 30-square-km island, 32 nautical miles from Paliohora and or Kolokytha, which has amazing waters and plenty of shade from the olive vineyards, flower-filled gardens and old restored houses. The folk art and
22 from Hora Sfakion, with pearly beaches and cedars reaching all the way to trees. And there’s plenty more beaches in Crete: The 81 uninhabited islets archaeological museums, the sculpture workshop and the museum of Cre-
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