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Apart from swimming, parasailing,
water-skiing, jet-skiing, canoeing, yachting and windsurfing, available at most of the major beaches. The often crystal-clear waters, particularly in the south, make snorkelling and diving here a real pleasure. The Islands new 18 hole championship golf course and Aqua Splash water park are situated next to each other and only a short drive away from the apartment. The drive to them is one with spectacular views of the island.
Heraklion town has a great fortress guarding the entrance it. It is by far the most striking aspect of the city with massive venetian walls framing the old quarter where most of the sights are. Heading inland from the harbor is Heraklion market with an atmosphere reminiscent of an Eastern Bazaar
East of Iraklion on the Iraklion - Agios Nikolaos highway. There is a left turn (signposted) to the archaeological site of the Minoan Palace of Malia.
Crete is a veritable paradise for trekking, provided you don't come during the hot summer months. Options for hikes include spectacular gorges such as the Samaria Gorge, across mountains and plains, and visiting remote villages. Crete's mountainous terrain isn't ideal for cycling but traveling on two wheels through the escarpment villages and valleys of the north coast, the Mesara Plain of the south and on and down from the plateaus, is popular.
Knossos is the site of the most important and better known palace of Minoan civilization. According to tradition, it was the seat of the legendary king Minos. The Palace is also connected with thrilling legends, such as the myth of the Labyrinth with the Minotaur, and the story of Daidalos and Icaros.
The site was continuously inhabited from the Neolithic period (7000-3000 B.C.) until Roman times.
The Linear B tablets (Mycenaean script) of the 14th century B.C. mention the city as ko-no-so.
Many traveller's spend a day trekking though the stupendous 18km (11mi) Samaria Gorge to get to Agia Roumeli on the southwest coast. At the Iron Gates, the gorge measures only 3.5m (11.5ft). Apart from its beauty, the gorge is teeming with wildlife and there is an incredible number of wildflowers during spring.
The gorge is open from the beginning of May to mid-October, depending on the amount of water in the gorge. There are excursions to the gorge from every sizeable town and resort in Crete, with most excursion companies offering a long or short trek. |
