Adventures in Crete

July 2, 2019

It had been a few years since we took a trip to Greece, and as anyone who reads this blog knows, the Greek Islands are one of our favorite destinations in the world! This time we decided to skip the Cyclades and venture to the larger island of Crete, my 15th island and my Italian’s 19th. But who’s counting? With only six days to explore, we took to the road upon arriving to Heraklion, first stop the ancient Minoan village of Knossos.

Beneath a cloudy sky we walked the cobbled paths of what is considered Europe’s oldest city, in complete awe.

Eager to lose ourselves in the blue hues so unique to Greece, we drove two hours to the southern coast until we reached Triopetra Beach. Home became a cozy family-run hotel for anyone seeking to escape the bustle of urban life. Days were spent exploring the region, taking dips in the sea, and dining on the freshest Greek cuisine with a group of yogis and other off-the-beaten-path travelers.

One of our day trips led us to Preveli Beach where we skipped the sun-bathing and headed straight for the palm tree forest. What stunning scenery!

While we could easily have spent several more days in Triopetra, we were eager to explore more of Crete. The next stop was Loutro, reachable by boat (or a very long hike) from Hora Sfakion.

Reminiscent of the Cyclades with white buildings set below rocky mountains rising into the sky, we immediately felt at home. Another remote paradise found.

Before our final destination of Chania, we stopped at one of Crete’s most dramatic beaches. Seitan Limani requires a rather steep hike to reach its crystal clear waters. Needless to say, it was well worth it!

By the time we reached Chania on Crete’s northeastern coast, we were smitten with the island and plotting our return. Boasting a 14th-century Venetian harbor, the city is ridden with charm and history.

We settled into a boutique hotel in the city center and set our sights on the surrounding beauty, our only dilemma being which taverna to dine in.

These adventures in Crete reaffirmed our deep affection for this country, its culture, and its people.

Melenos Lindos

September 25, 2015

We arrived to Rhodes and immediately fell under the spell of its majestic medieval city, the largest walled city in Europe. We explored the tangle of roads which led to the Jewish Quarter and paid a visit to the impressive Archaeological Museum. But our main destination was the town of Lindos, an hour by bus and a world of difference.

Rising over the traditional white homes of Lindos sits an acropolis dating back to the 10th century BC. As we ventured up the hill, we arrived to our home, Melenos Lindos, what appeared to be a village within a village; a world of its own that I was eager to discover.

simply Symi

September 23, 2015

With a quick stop at Kos, another world entirely with it’s myriad of beach bars and rock music, attracting day trippers in search of a spot in the sun. We boarded the next ferry to Symi, my thirteenth island on this, our fourth Greek Island adventure. But who’s counting?

I had no idea what to expect as the ferry approached Symi, part of the Dodecanese island chain. I did know it was a gem with a complex history, occupied by Italy in the 20th century, which could explain it’s colorful facades, and still a favorite to Italians and British.