uniquecreta.gr

One of my favorite is the beach of Bali located in the prefecture of Rethymno,n at the homonymous seaside settlement in a gulf with a total of four beaches. The sea in this area has a beautiful green-blue water color, is shallow and calm, while the beach is covered with sand and small pebbles. The water has a normal temperature but sometimes maybe is a little bit cooler. Bali attracts thousands of visitors every summer so it is well organized offering lots of comforts as well as a lifeguard, all day long. This is a very beautiful settlement gazing a fantastic landscape and the endless blue sea.  For the water sports lovers, Bali is an ideal destination, too and it is worth mentioning that the beach is one of the greek ones that won the prize of Blue Flag, due to its cleanness, facilities, safety and its emerald waters. 

Crete is an island with so many traditional villages, that is almost impossible for someone to visit all of them.  As, I’ve visited quite enough Cretan villages, I suggest you some of my favourite. Makrygialos in the prefecture of Lasithi Makrygialos is a fishing village located near Ierapetra. This seaside settlement in the Libyan Sea is a favorite destination for lovers of natural beauty. Moreover, the calm waters of the settlements’  sandy beach  are very warm even in October. Margarites in the prefecture of Rethymnon The Margarites village is at an altitude of 300 meters, at the northern foothills of Psiloritis and 27 kilometers away from Rethymnon. As it is a village with tradition in pottery, walking around the alleys you can see clay pots full of flowers, everywhere. Ancient monasteries, paths, chapels hidden in caves as well as canyons, make up the scenery of this picturesque village. Zaros in the prefecture of Heraklion ...

Vrissi beach belongs to the prefecture of Chania and is the main beach of the area of Sfakia along with the beautiful beaches of Iliggas, Filaki, GlykaNera, Marmara, the exotic Loutro and the historical beach of Fraggokastelo. The magic beach of Sfakia consists of sand also having pebbles in various colors and shapes. Moreover, the sea in Vrissi has crystal – clear water with a unique blue color. The area is protected from the winds and the sea has no waves. The waters here are deep and have a low temperature even during the hottest, summer days. The beach is fully organized and suitable for relaxing. There are sunbeds, umbrellas, shower units and there is also a variety of cafeterias, taverns and restaurants. If you like water sports you can do some during your visit at Vrissi beach.  The place is ideal for diving and at the same time, you can rent a canoe there. So, if you are thinking about spending your summer holidays in Chania, don’ t miss to visit th...

Ammoudara beach, located very close to the city center of Heraklion, has a huge sandy coastline with a length of 6 km. being one of the most developed areas in the prefecture. In addition, the combination of its great length and light blue water reminds one of the classic, exotic beaches with the big waves. Ammoudara, is a coastal resort, with an intense touristic activity, canteens and cafeterias located on the beach, offering the visitor cold water, coffees, beverages, fresh juices as well as, lots of fresh and tasteful snacks.  Ammoudara also has many beach bars with loud music as well as lifeguards who oversee the place in order to ensure the safety of the swimmers and intervene in a case of an emergency., It is worth mentioning to the activities offered by this beautiful beach and the information that the beach is also accessible to people with disabilities as it has a corridor for wheelchairs. After all, the beach of Ammoudara won a prize in the Blu...

The beautiful and picturesque Agia Pelagia is one of the most popular and cosmopolitan destinations. It has a stunning and fully – organized sandy beach with crystal – clear water and no waves as the area generally is protected from strong winds. On the beach, you will find everything that is necessary for a comfortable and pleasant day at sea. Furthermore, the beach of Agia Pelagia is an ideal place for people who love water sports as they will find there a water sports center which offers safe and certified services. There, you will also find some small souvenirs shops and mini markets. The wider area has more beaches to visit. One of them is the so called Mononaftis beach which will enchant you because of its fantastic green color water. So if you choose Heraklion for your holidays do not miss an excursion to Agia Pelagia.

In the Prefecture of Lasithi and near the town of Ierapetra, lies the Gorge of Ha.  Although its length is only 1 km, the visitors of Ha Gorge are mainly experienced mountaineers, as its descent is quite dangerous. The Ha gorge is considered as one of the wildest in Greece, as its formation, consists a rare morphological phenomenon of nature, according to geologists. The gorge has rich flora and fauna as well as small lakes which are important wetlands for many migratory birds, but also for permanent birds and mammals. The entrance of Ha is very narrow, about 3 m, and its width in many places does not exceed 3 m, too. Its  sides are huge with a height of 200 to 400 meters. In Ha’s last part a 215 meters waterfall, the largest in Greece, is poured. So, I'd call it an ultimate destination for those who dare!

The “Orino” or “The red butterflies Gorge”, located in southeastern Crete, is an artificial hiking and easily accessible gorge, considered as one of the most beautiful gorges of Crete. It begins from the Orino village, at the east of Ierapetra. In it there are many red butterflies, small streams and small waterfalls all the way while its last three waterfalls near to its exit are among the most beautiful in the whole of the island. As the scenery rotates, the visitor will meet dense vegetation, a mountainous cultivated area and huge rocks sculpted by the nature.

Dried fruits are a favorite food for Greeks since antiquity. In ancient Greece, used to have dried figs as breakfast while consuming dried fruits and nuts during their symposiums, was very common. The dried fruit industry is highly developed in Crete, as climatic conditions favor the production of a wide variety of them. The most common dried fruits are raisins, plums, apricots, figs, pineapples, blueberries, bananas and cherries. Their nutritional value is great as they are rich in trace elements, antioxidants and fiber and essentially contain the same amount of nutrients as fresh fruits. It’s worth mentioning, that unlike fresh fruit, they can be preserved for a long time and be consumed with your food or drink. Besides, their consumption is ideal for those who eat a healthy diet or want to lose weight. Preserve your dried fruits in a sterile glass vase  put in a cool, dry, dark place or in the refrigerator for 6-12 months.

The well known "minions', decided to sing a Cretan song! Though, you cannnot understand the lyrics, I'm sure you'lle enjoy their singing!

Arvi Gorge is one of the most impressive Gorges of Crete, located in the prefecture of Heraklion . Should be mentioned that crossing it is of big difficulty. There are waterfalls along the whole length of the canyon while the downhill can only be reached by rope. Even during the summer, the Gorge has plenty of water coming from the springs of Kefalovrysi. The uniqueness of the Arvis Gorge is that the river penetrates the earth for 150 meters, creating a cave with underground waterfalls but access to this section requires the use of artificial lighting by the visitors. After passing this point the canyon continues to be very narrow as large rocks create bridges above from which you can pass. The trail ends up to the wonderful beach of Arvi. 

From the antiquity until today music is a huge part of the Cretans’ life.  Τ he creation of “mandinades” (lyrics which are sung accompanied with the cretan lyre) is the most characteristic form of the local songs. Mandinades usually describe scenes of the daily life or express emotions, such as love, joy, admiration, hope etc. Among the most common form of the Cretan songs are the so-called “Rizitica”, (from the root) which have been named after the roots of the mountains. The tradition of the “Rizitica” songs is long and covers many areas of Cretan expression, such as songs of the “tavla” (table) which are sung during rhe meal, of the “strata” (walking), which are sung during a stroll, while there are others also sung in weddings, festivals and christenings, or celebrations. Their themes are heroic situations, revolutions against the conquerors of the island, foreign lands, love, etc., while many times they are allegorical. Their music is slow and serious, con...

  Below the imposing peak of Psiloritis mount, in the village of Vorizia of Heraklion, is the newest and one of the most interesting places of the island. In an area of 500 acres, two Cretans, established the so called “Cretan - Zeus Park”, which is the largest theme park on the island. Keeping   unchanged the region's physiognomy and respecting the flora of the mountain they revive the way in which their ancestors lived and created. "Here you feel, that you inhale and taste your nature and history," say the idea's initiators. Τ he visitor’s tour begins from a great gallery of history, where through frescoes, he has the chance to watch the evolution of society from the Minoan period to today. At its exit, there is a natural lake, consisting a rare wetland, and a botanical park that functions as a research area. The visitor there can know the thousands of herbs that exist as well as their properties. Going forward the visitor reaches the sacred pe...

If you are a nature’s lover visiting Crete, you should visit the gorge of Imbros in Sfakia as it is one of the most imposing, narrow and deep canyons of the island. The gorge of Imbros (7 km long), starts from the small plateau of Imbros village and ends in the village of Komitades with spectacular view of the Libyan Sea. During its descent, the canyon is constantly narrowing and the side walls are becoming taller giving an impressive landscape while its vegetation consists mostly of cypresses and asfendamous. The most impressive point of the Imbros Canyon is the “Stenada” where the sidewalls are only 1.6 m apart, with their height reaching 300 meters while the rocks are sculpted by nature itself. After a few more narrow passes you will reach the exit of the Gorge, in the village of Komitades and near the beach of Frangokastello. Have fun!

What is happening here is amazing. Wherever on the island you are heading, the landscape constantly changes. Crete is an island full of contrasts with a scenery which is different every few meters. If you like the sea, you will find exactly what you want. Shallow or deep, warm or cold waters, sandy or rocky coasts, crowded or remote and unspoiled beaches. If you prefer mountain getaways for strolling, or steep cliffs for climbing, there are plenty of them here, too. Canyons, rivers, waterfalls, mountain shelters, traditional villages, archaeological sites, lush vegetation with many endemic plants and rich fauna of animals and birds.   The organization of the island as well as its tourist infrastructure can cover every taste and need. Hiking, mountaineering, cycling, horse riding, mountain and sea skiing, diving, paragliding, sailing, windsurfing, or whichever other activity you like, is available for you. In two words, Ι call it "an ideal dest...

Τhough  I live in Heraklion during the last 5 years, and knowing this city very well, I get touched everytime I watch  a new video of it, as I discover another hidden side of this magic city that excites me. Watching this video, I hope you'll understand what I relly mean!

I would say that  generally Crete,  has a wild beauty. Especially its gorges, which are too many, fascinate everyone who gets there as the steep rocks, the waterfalls, the caves, the wild animals and birds, as well as the rich vegetation, consist an extra ordinary scenery. One well known gorge located only 80 km away from the city of Heraklion, is Agiofarango. It’s a hiking gorge, with a length of 1,5 km quite easy to cross. In the first meters of the route, there are two chapels in a cave. One dedicated to Agia Kyriaki and another one dedicated to Agios Antonios while several archaeological findings, testify the activity that existed there during the Minoan and Venetian times. Agiofarango is created by the beds of two streams which meet there and almost all the way through it huge rocks rise on both of its sides.. The smooth path in the gorge ends up on a small unspoiled beach of the Libyan sea. According to a legend, Agiofarango took its name from t...

Nikos Sarandos, who lives and operates in Heraklion, won the first prize at the “Flash Film Festival” in Berlin for "Super short Drone" for his film "The Face of Abandonment". In the video of the movie posted on YouTube that surpasses 90,000 views, Nikos Sarandos says about his content: "It could be a village in the warring Syria that one night was abandoned by its inhabitants trying to save themselves”. Just 80 km east of Heraklion and next to Ano Viannos, is the village of Kalami. A village built in a magnificent scenery, next to mountains, rivers and dense vegetation, which makes you wonder why people left it to desert. Open doors and windows, in deserted houses, with scattered objects on the floors, between tattered clothes, notebooks with half-finished notes, dishes and glasses in their cases ready for re-use. Above all, however, the scent of abandonment  and the feeling of melancholy in a village that a few decades ago was full o...

When I first heard the expression, “the islands of Crete”, i was surprised. Reading on it I discovered that around Crete there are more than 80 small islands. Only some of them are inhabited while the others, with their pristine exotic beaches are offered for relaxation or exploration. One of them, is Gavdos . Gavdos, consists the northernmost point of Europe. There are only a few permanent residents on the island and the infrastructure for tourists is basic. According to mythology, Gavdos is the island where the Odysseus wrecked and was welcomed by Calypso. Chrysi , is an uninhabited island of unique beauty. Its beaches are covered with white sand, colored pinkly in many places, by the fragments of scattered shells and the waters are crystal with turquoise shade. On Chrissi there is also a large cedars forest, 350 acres, while the whole island is part of the NATURA 2000 European Landscape Protection Program.   Koufonissi or Lefki is a small island...

I remember the first time i tasted the cretan honey... I just loved it. It's delicious! That made me want to learn more about it. So, today i share some basic relevant information with you. The island of Crete has been intimate with the production of honey since the Minoan era. The thyme and the pine tree honey of Crete stand out for both, their quality and taste, as the geomorphology of the island, the warm climate and the wide variety of herbs consist the ideal conditions of its production. Thyme honey is very aromatic and lighter, while pine honey is darker and less sweet, while it is common to find a mix of the two honeys in the market. The bees on the island are fed with thyme, sage, oregano, acacia, eucalyptus etc. There are many beekeepers in Crete and the honey production takes place in large mountainous areas.  The honey collection is made during the summer, after the bees have already been fed during spring, when there are many herbs and flowe...

The first time i got there, i felt like i was somewhere in the ocean so,  i strongly recommend everyone to visit it.  Cretaquarium is in the area of Gournes, 14 km. away from the city of Heraklion. Housed on the premises of the former American Base of Gournes, constitutes a destination that offers an alternative entertainment. The Cretaquarium has 60 fish tanks of different sizes, accommodating more than 2.000 different marine species. Next to every tank, there are written information about the species in it, translated into many languages while there is also the possibility of a guided tour in the Aquarium. Inside the main building there is a shop with many gift items relating to the marine life, as well as a restaurant with a view to the endless blue sea.