Travel to Crete for an unbeatable Mediterranean experience in gorgeous weather in your rental car
Crete is the largest Greek island and one of the most popular vacation destinations in the Mediterranean Sea. Crete pairs gorgeous weather with a huge number of historic, natural and cultural sights. Tourism is a well-established industry, therefore the infrastructure is excellent and entertainment plentiful. The weather plays along nicely; with over 300 days of sunshine per year Crete is the sunniest island in the Mediterranean Sea alongside Cyprus.
The landscape is as diverse as the island’s history, from golden beaches to forested hills and fertile high plateaus used for growing olives and wine. In 2600 ft altitude you will find romantic old ruins and small, modest chapels, all in view of the blue sea below.
Crete's rich history
When exploring the island you will soon see the appeal it has had on travelers and adventurers all throughout history. Crete has been settled since the Stone Age, and numerous stalactite caves used as homes back then are now open for visit. Since the third century BC the
Minoan culture was the first civilization in Europe with such a high degree of sophistication. While the rest of the continent was still living in the proverbial trees, the Minoans built grand palaces and temples and a functioning infrastructure. Many of the remains are among the top sights in the world, the
Palace of Knossos, the Minoan capital, being the most famous. South of Heraklion the archaeologically excavated site is open for visit, and if this tickles your taste for Minoan culture, also check out the Phaestos site on the south coast.
Continuing a round trip through modern and ancient
Greece you will soon appreciate your rental car, as public transport is rather scarce. The roads are generally scenic, winding along the coast or through the hills. Along these you will soon stumble across more relics from all sorts of ancient European powers which have at some point ruled the island. You can find Mycenaen, Doric, and archaic Greek settlements as well as Roman temples, Venetian country houses, and Ottoman fortifications and mosques – a unique assembly of cultural sights in such a small space. And as if the historical sights weren’t enough there are even mythical ones, like the
Psychro cave where Zeus was born according to legend.
For gorgeous landscapes go to the
Lasithi Plateau south-east of Heraklion, the capital. This area is particularly pretty in spring and summer, when flowers cover the green meadows and the local farmers put white cotton sails on the traditional windmills.
Another great day trip, especially for outdoor fans, is the
Samaria Gorge, the at just short of 10 miles the longest in Europe, which leads from the mountains in the south-west to the southern shore where you will be picked up by a ferry and taken to the nearest town.
Experience the social scene on Crete
Despite the wealth of cultural sites and outdoor activities your vacation does not have to be all educational. For some good old-fashioned laid-back fun there is a vivid nightlife in the tourist hubs on the north coast. Heraklion, Hersonissos, Malia, and Agios Nikolaos are heaving with young, fun-seeking tourists, ensuring you will never get bored.
Corfu
Green Corfu is the northernmost and second-biggest of the seven Ionic Islands. Settled in the 8th century BC by the Greek it quickly developed into a wealthy place attracting numerous Mediterranean peoples including the Romans who incorporated it into their empire and ruled it for 500 years.
After the fall of the Roman Empire various rulers took charge, including Venetians, French, and the British. The one country Corfu never had to bow to was the Ottoman Empire, and the Corfiotes are still proud of this. Yet hundreds of years of colonialism have left their marks on the island, the Venetians being the busiest builders of all. To this date the inhabitants seem torn between Italian and Greek elements in their culture. “Not quite Greece yet”, they say with a wink when asked to place the island in the greater scheme of things.
Just like the people the landscape is slightly distinct from the classic yellow-brown scenery we are used to from Greece. Thanks to shorter dry periods than on the mainland Corfu stands out green against the blue sea. Tourists love the countless remote bays where sandy beaches are lined with palm trees, cypress trees, and colorful bushes. Queen Elizabeth “Sissi” of
Austria loved it so much she had her summer residence built there, and Kaiser Wilhelm II of
Germany followed her example.
Discover Corfu's beaches in your rental car
Corfu has two different faces: the quiet island of natural beauty and the vivid tourist resort with lively nightclubs, beach bars and discotheques.
To get away from the noisy buzz of the tourist hubs, rent a car and hit the road. The beaches on the northern as well as the south-eastern shore are quiet and secluded, and the small mountain range across the northern part of the island is a feast for outdoor fans. Hiking trails take you past traditional mountain villages and up to 3000 ft altitude. On clear days you can even see all the way to Italy, whereas Albania is within sight even on the foggiest of days.
After a long day outdoors you will find yourself craving a hearty meal. This will be provided in any local taverna where the owners greet their neighbors with a smile and the matron still does traditional home cooking. The cuisine is a mixture of Italian and Greek, served with local wines, a friendly pet on the back and a family anecdote.
Should you want to get into the Corfu feel before your vacation, take a copy of Gerald Durrell’s My Family and Other Animals or one of his brother Lawrence’s books. The famous conservationist and the writer spent their childhood in Corfu and write so fondly and entertainingly about it you will almost feel like you’re already there while still on the plane. Book a rental car today and discover all that Greece has to offer!
