Crete is now famous all over the world as a tourist destination and a place of great beauty but it has been a remarkable corner of the globe for millennia, and therefore, it is a great idea to book a holiday rental in Crete to come and dive into its endless riches. It is, in fact, the very place where Europe’s first civilisation – the Minoans – thrived and rather spectacular traces of this early occupation still stand and can be admired to this day including the incredible archaeological sites and ruins at Knossos and Phaestus, to name only two of many examples. The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, in the capital, houses an unbelievable wealth of the Minoan’s major artefacts and influential artworks. Regional museums throughout the island also display a host of intriguing artefacts from this period.
In the many, many years and centuries since the time of the Minoans, Crete has also been occupied by the Romans, the Byzantines, Arab kingdoms, the Venetians, and the Ottoman Turks before becoming part of modern-day Greece. As a result, the landscape, culture, and heritage of the island all reflect this fascinating melting pot history. Architectural remains of all of these cultures are the most visible remainder and dot the island, adding to its good looks and rich heritage. Pretty villages and towns also abound and some even maintain folk culture with traditional instruments and music as well as a robust craft tradition including pottery, weaving, needlework, leather-working, and wood-carving. These make for excellent and authentic souvenirs for anyone who spends a holiday in a vacation rental in Crete.
Furthermore, Crete itself is a great natural wonder with some of the most remarkable beaches in the world, impressive gorges cutting through green hills and craggy peaks, a rich and lush local flora that thrives in the mild climate of the island, and an equally diverse and incredible fauna completes the pastoral picture. Many tourists stick to the coastline of Crete and the resorts and popular seaside towns that can be found there but it is well worth venturing inland to the less frequently visited mountains and gorges. These areas are excellent options for those who prefer less touristy and crowded destinations and for anyone who enjoys hiking and exploring nature. Samariá Gorge, in the heart of the Samariá National Park, is especially famous as the island’s most beloved hiking destination but, due to its protected status, also boasts plentiful examples of Crete’s endemic species of wild plants.
Food is another thing that makes Crete a rather special place, indeed, and those who book a holiday rental in Crete will quickly discover that there are lots of delicious things to sample. Famous for being a cuisine that is both healthy and tasty, a vacation in Crete means eating well and feeling good. Expect lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, freshly caught local fish served baked or grilled, generous drizzles of the famous Cretan olive oil, nuts, herbs, and honey used creatively, and excellent wines. Whether you are shopping at local markets to prepare the freshest, most satisfying, and wholesome meals with the spectacular local products and produce in your rental or eating out at one of the island’s endless family-run traditional restaurants or both, you are sure to eat exceptionally well!
So, there really are many reasons to list that make Crete a rather special place and that make booking a villa in Crete for you next vacation a very good idea indeed but don’t just take it from us, come and experience it all for yourself!
