Crete is the biggest island in Greece and the second biggest (after Cyprus) of the East Mediterranean. It lies at the Southern Aegean Sea and at the crossroads of three continents Europe, Asia and Africa. The large island, set further south of Tunisia, is a popular holiday destination for the beautiful beaches and the fame of the archaeological sites. The main archaeological areas are set on the plateaus connecting the two mountain ranges and are Knossos, Festos, Agia Triada and Gortyn, which returned very important testimonies from the Minoan population.
The island has two different aspects: the steep and high southern coast with very hot and arid climate; the northern coast, instead, has a typical Mediterranean climate, the mountains gradually descend onto the flatlands, the inlets and the bays. The major holiday resorts are in fact on this coast.
Crete’s scenery is extraordinary with many variations bringing together harsh mountains and stretches of very fine sand lined by palm trees much like the neighbouring African coasts. Inlets and vertical cliffs, rocky outcrops and small coves outline the coast with a variation of colours and shapes. Yet, the true Crete is to be found in the inner part of the island among the silent villages that are still unspoilt and completely untouched by tourism.
Forests are scarce as in Crete, once famous for its cedars and cypresses, the exploit of forests started as far back as the Minoan Age.
In the hilly areas and on the plains the scenery is characterised by the Mediterranean “macchia”: olive groves, orchards and eucalyptuses.