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cretanplaces
- Dec 24, 2019
- 1 min
The 4 + 1 Best Christmas Things to do in Crete, 2019
Either in vacation or staycation, Christmas is a great time to explore #Crete and at the same time attend to some really interesting events. Let’s have a discussion about them, they are interesting, spiritual and most of them about a good cause. 1. 24.12.2019: Christmas Eve Mass at the Cave of Agios Ioannis, near Marathokephala, west Crete, in an experiential way resembling uniquely the Holy Cave in Bethlehem (21:00-00:15). 2. 26.12.2019: Santa Run Chania 2019: walk a route o
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cretanplaces
- Aug 27, 2019
- 2 min
The best 4 + 1 sheltered beaches in Crete, for windy days
If the Mistral blows… Find out about the best beaches in #Crete, for windy days. When wind is blowing is unpleasant, and even dangerous, to swim in the majority of the Cretan beaches, and, believe us, Crete and the Aegean is a windy area… Old anchorages becoming now top touristic destinations: these are the best beaches for windy days, sheltered by the northerlies and the Mistral, family-friendly (just pay attention, some of the beaches have no lifeguard coverage), usually no
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![Skinakas Observatory. Discovering the Universe from the Cretan mountains [upt 2019]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0b6448_f88e0f9a03a042f99ada65c5bc7ac068~mv2_d_6608_1792_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90/0b6448_f88e0f9a03a042f99ada65c5bc7ac068~mv2_d_6608_1792_s_2.jpg)
cretanplaces
- Jul 21, 2019
- 1 min
Skinakas Observatory. Discovering the Universe from the Cretan mountains [upt 2019]
Overview: A unique experience in the high altitude part of the Cretan landscape. In the central and highest mountain of #Crete, Psiloritis, an observatory has been settled more than thirty years ago. Location: In 1986, the year that the Halley’s comet passed close to Earth, the Physics department of the University of Crete in collaboration with Greek and German institutions built the observatory on the peak called Skinakas (1750 m. elevation), west of the higher peak of the
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cretanplaces
- Jun 2, 2019
- 1 min
Trattoria Alfredo, Heraklion
This place is just like an authentic trattoria in Italy. This Italian restaurant actually is preferred by locals of #Heraklion. * Our review: Location: in the district of Mastampas, outside the historic center, near a small roundabout (Ρομαντική γωνιά, Romantiki gonia). Ambiance: a very good attempt to reconstruct the image of an authentic Italian trattoria. Cleanliness: very good. Service: good enough. Food: good portions, menu consisting of pizzas, pasta and other Italian
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cretanplaces
- Apr 7, 2019
- 2 min
Fodele, the village and the landscape
If you are looking for the best of traditional Cretan villages near Heraklion, #Fodele is a great option. This scenic village, just about 20 kilometers to the west of #Heraklion, is located in a picturesque small valley with lush vegetation, orange groves, olive trees, and water resources. The village is mentioned in Venetian-period written sources, even from the middle of 13th century. The prosperous area however was inhabited from previous periods, as the archaeological re
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cretanplaces
- Oct 10, 2018
- 1 min
Botis Thalassinos municipal gallery, Tylissos. Hidden cultural gems around Heraklion
The new municipal art gallery "Botis Thalassinos" at Tylissos, about 20 kilometers to the southwest of #Heraklion, is really a hidden gem! Besides the permanent collection of the painter Thalassinos, in the gallery are hosted temporary exhibitions and events. Yesterday, temporary exhibition about contemporary christian art started. Congratulations to the curator Chryssa Vathianaki! Continue reading this article
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cretanplaces
- Aug 16, 2018
- 1 min
Kalamaki beach, south Heraklion region. The best things in life are for free
Under the shadow of a tamarisk, we were lucky enough to get a good spot, and to locate two sunbeds which were for free, or at least no one came to ask for money. So we were happy to plop down on for the day. Kalamaki beach, near the well-known village Matala, at the southern part of the region of #Heraklion, is a sandy beach looking westwards to the Libyan sea and Paximadia isles. Probably the sunset there is amazing... Continue reading this article
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cretanplaces
- Jul 31, 2018
- 1 min
Walks in Heraklion: at the seafront, west part
The 2004 Olympics was not only a major athletic event in Greece, but also formed a milestone for the development or redevelopment of many areas. In the western part of #Heraklion seafront, former industrial area, a new stadium was built and the whole seaside route from the city center (about 1,5 klm) was redeveloped with pedestrian ways and parks (recently even a dog park was added !). Many inhabitants and visitors of the city go there for walking, cycling or training, and is
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cretanplaces
- Jul 30, 2018
- 1 min
Walks in Heraklion: at the seafront, central part
The central part of the seafront of #Heraklion is located in the northern part of the old city, practically on the route of the massive Venetian sea walls. What to do there? In the east end there is the port, including the old #Venetian harbor and arsenal, as well as the impressive landmark, the naval #fortress Rocca a Mare / Koules built during the 16th century. The seafront was a popular walking place for decades, and in recent years redevelopment works were undertaken. “Be
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cretanplaces
- Jul 30, 2018
- 1 min
Extra-urban places of Heraklion: Agia Eirini at Spilia
The church of Agia Eirini at Spilia, is located in the east slopes of a scenic and steep gorge, just a couple of kilometers to the south of the famous archaeological site at #Knossos, and about eight kilometers to the south of #Heraklion. Possibly, the modern day chapel was built on the same site of the, mentioned in written sources, medieval and post-medieval Monastery of Agia Eirini . “The place name (sta) Spilia is possibly derived by the numerous small caves in the area,
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cretanplaces
- Jul 30, 2018
- 1 min
Fodele, the village and the landscape. Traditional Cretan villages near Heraklion
#Fodele, a scenic village about 20 kilometers to the west of #Heraklion, is located in a picturesque small valley with lush vegetation, orange groves, olive trees, and water resources. The village is mentioned in Venetian-period written sources, even from the middle of 13th century. The prosperous area however was inhabited from previous periods, as the archaeological remains indicate. Moreover, during the first half of the 20th century some scholars proposed that a famous Gr
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