Crete

Crete is the largest of the Greek islands, one of the sunniest and the southernmost part of Europe. The holiday season extends from April to October inclusive. In April and May it is cooler and spring flowers cover the countryside. June, July and August can be very hot with little chance of rain and September and October are cooler with a chance of showers in October.

Southern Crete has not succumbed to mass tourism so visitors can enjoy a beautiful and relaxing environment. Unlike the ‘fast and furious’ North of Crete, Southern Crete is noted for its traditional Cretan hospitality, its informality and the beautiful coastline, uncrowded beaches and glorious mountain scenery. There are ruins, monasteries, little churches, flora and fauna everywhere. The quality of light is made for artists, there are rich and intense colours, and evening time is quite often the most beautiful with shadows on the mountains and everything turning a rich golden ochre. Hire a car and you will discover deserted coves, mountain villages, bustling towns, cultural and historic sites. Sometimes you can feel as if you are the only person on the planet!

We moved to Crete in April 2004, and rebuilt and renovated an old ruined house in the traditional village of Flathiakes (between Apesokari and Vasilika Anoghia). The village nestles between mountains and looks over the Messara Valley. We are surrounded by olive groves (we have our own behind the house) vineyards, orange orchards, ruins, ancient Minoan tombs, little churches, the tinkle of goat bells and of course the kind and generous Cretan people.

We are very close to the Minoan Palace of Phaistos, Agia Triada and Gortyn (an archaic Greek and Roman site famous for sheltering Hannibal). There are many smaller sites and the great Knossos is only an hour's drive away. Heraklion's Archeological Museum houses the most important collection of Minoan art and artefacts anywhere in the world and is well worth a visit.

Our main shopping centre is Mires, a working agricultural town and though it couldn't be accused of being pretty it is always full of life. Many a happy hour can be spent in a kafenion just watching Greek life as it's lived. The vibrant and noisy street market (every Saturday morning) displays newly picked produce such as artichokes, okra, giant cabbages and watermelons or whatever is in season. Also on sale are the creamy feta cheeses, yoghurts and wild thyme honey, big sacks of nuts, boxes of raisins, juicy black olives and special dictamos herb (mountain tea) with sage and chamomile.

The coastal villages of Matala and Kalamaki are approx ½ hour's drive from our studio. These are tourist villages but not as you know it. They are laid back, plenty of kafenions (cafés) and tavernas, lovely beaches, boutique shops and souvenir shops to wander around. You can drive over the mountains and find beautiful near deserted beaches like Lendas or make a shopping trip to Rethymnon or Heraklion in the North. There are many web sites about Crete (try Interkriti), tourist guides (we like Rough Guide to Crete) and numerous books to check out but there is nothing like the real thing!

Click the images below for a larger image

Ancient Minoan frescoes

Fertile countryside

Interesting textures

Colourful locals