Crete was the
centre of the European civilization since 7000 b.C with the Minoan civilization
dominating from 2700 b.C to 1450 b.C
Car Hire Heraklion to visit Knossos. Knossos is biggest and best
preserved Minoan Palace. Situated South of Heraklion was the home palace of the
legendary king Minos and the location of the mythical Labyrinth where Minos
held the Minotaur.
The palace was unearthed
and restored from the excavations of Sir Arthur Evans in 1900. These findings
include also the small palace, the Royal House, the Temple Tomb and a hall with
murals.
The Palace is
open for the public to visit from 01/06 to 31/10 - 08:00 to 18:00 daily and
from 01/11 to 31/05 08:30 – 15:00 with a small admission fee.
Samaria Gorge is
a 16 Km route in South West Crete at Chania prefecture. Samaria is among the
biggest gorges in Europe with rare flora and fauna.
The route starts
from Xyloskala after Omalos Plateau on 1250 height among the White Mountains. The
gorge is accessible from the 1st of May till 31st of
October when closes for the winter period.
Shoes with hard
soles to support the ankle are necessary in this 6-hour journey on the hard
rocky ground and a small amount of water that can be filled in one of the many
sources that meets the path. The route ends
at the Libyan Sea, in Agia Roumeli. Enjoy swimming in the crystal clear waters
of Agia Roumeli before taking the boat to Sfakia, where you will have the
opportunity to taste traditional specialties before boarding the bus that will
take you back to Chania.
Our advice for visitors
with Car Hire Crete is to leave the car at Chania Station take the bus
from Chania to Omalos and from Sfakia to Chania. It will be an endless,
exhausting day but believe me its worth, and you will have a lifetime
experience.
Rent a Car Heraklion, and visit the Archeological Museum of Heraklion which
is located in the centre of the city in Xanthoulidou str.
The exhibits cover a period of 5500 years from
the Neolithic to the Greco-Roman period.
In pride place among its collections are the unique masterpieces of
Minoan art, which can be admired in all its development. The collection of
Minoan antiquities is the largest in the world and the museum is justly
considered the pre-eminent museum of Minoan civilization.
The museum is open for the public to visit all year long with the
opening hours to vary according to period.
Chania are
situated in the Northwest Crete 170 Km from the capital Heraklion. With the old
Venetian Port to be the main attraction thousands of tourists are visiting Chania
every year. Take a stroll on the cobbled streets with the traditional fish
restaurants, cafes and shops with folk art. Historically, Chania was the first
capital of Crete.
Car Rental Chania Airport to visit the
archaeological and naval museum in the old city. Walk the narrow cobblestone
streets and admire the Venetian buildings, small workshops daggers (machairadika),
traditional footwear (stoivanadika) and enjoy a coffee or dining at the quaint
cafes and restaurants.
Along the harbor
you will see small fishing boats moored, catering daily fresh fish the taverns,
and certainly do not miss the opportunity to stroll through the renovated
lighthouse on the edge of the harbor.
Rent a Car Chania airport And head to Lake
Kournas. Lake Kournas is the only natural freshwater lake on the island.
Surrounded by lush vegetation and background of the White Mountains, is a
unique attraction.
A few miles from
Lake Kournas is the village of Argiroupolis This beautiful village is built on
the ancient site of Lappa and consists of two parts - the upper and lower
village.
Visit the
waterfalls surrounded with lush vegetation in the lower village, then the Roman
necropolis of Lappa, the ruins of Roman baths and the aqueduct in the upper
village.
Rent a Car Heraklion Port and spend a day in Lassithi Plateau. Lassithi
Plateau is the largest plain in Crete. An area of 25,000 square kilometers
surrounded by the Lassithiotika Mountains. Hundreds of white windmills used for
irrigation lie as relics of the past and compose landscape of the fertile
plateau.
Lassithi Plateau
is the highest inhabited plateau in Greece. A visit to this beautiful mountain
region should include stops at villages Krasi with a giant plane tree in the
square which is considered to be the oldest tree in Crete with age 2400 years,
and in Mohos, where the church of the Virgin Mary has byzantine icons and
murals.
The impressive Dikteon Andro (Psichro Cave), the mythical birthplace of
Zeus, located at an altitude of 1025m, west of the village Psichro. The cave is
accessed by a narrow entrance after a 20 minute walk up a steep path, entering
the interior of the cave follows a steep descent of 60 meters ending in an
underground pool and several rooms with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites.
Rent a Car Heraklion airport For a trip to Anogia and Zoniana. The mountain village
Anogia situated at an altitude 700m on the side of Mount Ida in the hinterland
of Rethymno Prefecture.
The village
Anogia razed by the Germans during the Second World War, and all the men of the
village who had not managed to escape were killed in reprisal for partisan
fighters.
The village is
also known as the birthplace of Nick Xylouris one of the most famous Cretan
musicians of all time. He died in 1980 at the age of 43 and became a legend.
Every July Anogia organizes Yakinthia, a festival dedicated to music, theater
and art.
Do not forget to visit the nearby cave of Zoniana
(Sfentoni Cave), which is considered one of the best caves of Crete with
amazing stalagmites and stalactites.
Car Rental Heraklion Airport And live your dream vacation in Agios Nikolaos. Situated
in Eastern Crete, 70mm from Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos is the capital of
Lassithi Prefecture. The city is built around a beautiful lake, which is
connected to the sea by a small canal. Relax in one of the taverns and cafes by
the lake and admire the scenery while fishermen are working in their colorful
boats.
The city has a
cosmopolitan atmosphere and a modern marina that accommodates up to 255 boats
and yachts. Shopping in the town is a delight - small shops, crafts and
souvenir shops coexist with modern designer jewelry stores. Cafes, snack bars,
taverns and restaurants abound in every street corner.
The city even has its own beach area next to the
center - the beach Kitroplatia. The sandy beach is filled with cafes and taverns.
There are also many other beaches along the Gulf of Mirabello.
Just 10 km from
Agios Nikolaos is the bay of Elounda. Known for its luxury hotels is the place
that wealthy visitors, royalties and celebrities spend their holidays. The
picturesque harbor of Elounda still retains its traditional charm, with cafes
and restaurants to complement the scene.
Spinalonga (also
known as Caledon) is a small island located just off the coast of Elounda and
Plaka at the Bay of Mirabello. During 1200 AD the Venetians built huge
fortifications on it to guard the entrance to the bay and these fortifications
still dominate the north side of the island.
From 1903 until recently, in 1957, the island of
Spinalonga was a leper colony and lepers from all over Greece were sent to it.
The suffering of lepers who lived in Spinalonga is immortalized in the book of
Victoria Hislop «The Island" that enjoyed huge commercial success.
Today Spinalonga is uninhabited, but can be visited
one after a short boat trip from Elounda (30 minutes), Plaka (15 minutes) or
Agios Nikolaos (1 hour). Following the path around the island you will pass
through the small streets of the deserted ruins with its old stone houses,
fortifications, battlements, and of course the cemetery. Wander the
cosmopolitan Elounda and historic Spinalonga with Car Hire Heraklion airport
Car Hire Chania Airport, for an
unforgettable holiday in Loutro. The small picturesque village Loutro is
located in South Crete, between Chora Sfakion and Agia Roumeli. The only way that
anyone can visit the Loutro is by boat or on foot as it is isolated which is
the main feature.
Arriving by boat at this beautiful blue and white
village will experience the tranquility and relaxation with swimming, iced
coffee and a relaxing meal at one of the taverns. The main activity at the Bath
is to watch the boats coming and going and carrying visitors and supplies to
the village.
The village is located in a small cove with pebbles
and consists of rooms, small hotels, cafes, restaurants, a few shops and of
course a kiosk with cigarettes. Trips to Loutro have 4-5 times daily from
Sfakia and the ride is 20 minutes.
The biggest island in Greece and the fifth largest in Mediterranean is Crete. With a car rental Crete guests can explore glorious sandy beaches, remnants of fabulous civilizations, endless mountains capes, step gorges, fertile valleys, and become a part of the famous Cretan nutrition. Crete an endless ocean of ancient treasures, natural beauties and unique culinary experiences that definitely bewitch every guest!!!
