SAMARIA GORGE

The Samariá Gorge (Greek: Φαράγγι Σαμαριάς or just Φάραγγας) is a National Park of Greece since 1962 on the island of Crete – a major tourist attraction of the island – and a World's Biosphere Reserve. The gorge is in southwest Crete in the regional unit of Chania. It was created by a small river running between the White Mountains (Lefká Óri) and Mt. Volakias. There are a number of other gorges in the White Mountains. While some say that the gorge is 18 km long, this distance refers to the distance between the settlement of Omalos on the northern side of the plateau and the village of Agia Roumeli. In fact, the gorge is 16 km long, starting at an altitude of 1,250 m at the northern entrance, and ending at the shores of the Libyan Sea in Agia Roumeli. The walk through Samaria National Park is 13 km long, but one has to walk another three kilometers to Agia Roumeli from the park exit, making the hike 16 km long. The most famous part of the gorge is the stretch known as the Gates (or, albeit incorrectly, as "Iron Gates"), where the sides of the gorge close in to a width of only four meters and soar up to a height of almost 300 meters (980 feet). The gorge became a national park in 1962, particularly as a refuge for the rare kri-kri (Cretan goat), which is largely restricted to the park and an island just off the shore of Agia Marina. There are several other endemic species in the gorge and surrounding area, as well as many other species of flowers and birds. The village of Samariá lies just inside the gorge. It was finally abandoned by the last remaining inhabitants in 1962 to make way for the park. The village and the gorge take their names from the village's ancient church, Óssia María. A must for visitors to Crete is to complete the walk down the gorge from the Omalos plateau to Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea, at which point tourists sail to the nearby village of Sougia or Hora Sfakion, where they could spend a night there, or they could catch a coach back to Chania. The walk takes five to seven hours and can be strenuous, especially at the peak of summer. Local tourist operators provide organized tours to the Gorge. These include bus transportation from one's hotel to the entrance (near Omalos village), and a bus connection that will be waiting for hikers after they disembark the ferry in Sougia or Sfakia (Chora Sfakion). If you are on your own, you can make a one-day round trip from Chania (see below) or from Sougia or Paleochora. Note that the morning buses from Sougia and Paleochora do not operate on Sunday. The ferries leave Agia Roumeli to Chora Sfakion (eastbound) and to Sougia/Paleochora (westbound) at 17:00. There also exists a "lazy way" – from Agia Roumeli to the Gates, and back

DICTEON ANDRON ZEUS CAVE

The Dikteon Cave is one of the most important and famous caves in Crete and Greece. It was used in successive phases as a refuge-residence of man of the Neolithic era, a place of burial and a place of worship of the Minoan religion12. The cave was abandoned after the prevalence of Christianity, to end up in recent years as a natural shelter for the protection of shepherd sheep and goats in the area

SPINALONGA ISLAND

Spinalonga is a small island near Elounda in East Crete. Spinalonga is also known as the Leper Island, as that is where lepers from Crete and the rest of Greece were quarantined until 1957. Today thousands of tourists visit Spinalonga each summer by boat from Agios Nikolaos, Elounda and Plaka, for a tour of its ruined buildings, which the Archaeological Service is laboriously trying to maintain. spinalonga According to the data for 2009, Spinalonga has 1200-1500 visitors daily during the summer months and is the most popular archaeological site in Crete after Knossos. The strategic position of the rocky islet for the control and defence of Elounda harbour could not but mark Spinalonga with a turbulent history of fierce battles and much human suffering.

Knossos Palace

The Palace of Knossos

The Minoan palace of the colours!

Knossos was the most prominent centre of the Minoan Civilisation, one of the magnificent civilisations of human kind. The renowned ancient city with the palace is the largest and most typical archaeological site ever discovered on Crete. It is located at a distance of 6 km SE of Heraklion amidst olive groves, vineyards and cypress forests. According to tradition, it was the seat of the legendary king Minoa. Apart from being the royal family's residence, it was also the administrative and religious centre for the whole region. The Palace is also connected with thrilling legends, such as the myth of the Labyrinth with the Minotaur, and the story of Daedalus and Icarus.
The brilliant Minoan palace of Knossos (was constructed in two phases: first in 1900 B.C. and then in 1700-1450 B.C.) occupies an area 22,000 sq. m. You enter the central court via the south entrance. You then come across three wings. The throne room is situated in the west wing.

The eastern wing contains the royal chambers, the double axes room, the queen's megaron with the dolphin frescos, the workshop areas – where the stone carver's workshop holds an eminent place – and the storage rooms. At the north entrance is the custom's house with columns and pillars. To the North West outside the palace are the lustral basin, the theatre and the royal road that leads to the small palace. To the northeast of the main palace you can visit the royal villa and 1 km further to the S is the royal tomb.

The first person, who conducted a systematic excavation at Knossos in 1878, was the lover of antiquity Minos Kalokerinos. However, luck was on the Sir Arthur Evans' side, the Englishman who first came to Knossos in 1894 and discovered the palace. The excavation works commenced shortly after Crete's independence in 1900 and continued with several interruptions for 35 years, by Evans personally and his associates.

The Museum Natural History Museum of Crete

Natural History Museum of Crete has been functioning and operates under the framework of the University of Crete since 1980, being a pioneer institute at national and European level in the following activities:

Study and Management of the Natural Environment of Crete
Public awareness, education and sensitisation of local people as well as the visitors of the area
Link University activities with Cretan society
Set up a network of Ecological Museums in Greece and throughout the Eastern Mediterranean
Eastern Mediterranean is unique at a global level due to the great ecological and cultural complexity. The evenness as well as the contrast, the stability, many affinities and the special features characterizes the area.
The aim of the Natural History Museum of Crete is the study, protection and promotion of the special features of the area of Eastern Mediterranean.

The foundation and the development of NHMC were favoured by the following conditions:

The potential of the University of Crete and its ability to promote modern technologies in the field of environment
The geographical position of Crete, lying it the center of Eastern Mediterranean and the southernmost part of the European Union
The warm acceptance and support of the local society.

Crete top Destinations
car and travel Crete

Rent a Car Heraklion Airport

rent a car Heraklion Crete

Welcome to Crete Welcome to Car And Travel – Rent a Car Crete – General Tourist Office :

who we are.

Car and Travel is not only a Car rental company in Crete but also a General Tourist Office.
We are located in the capital city of Heraklion in the center of the island of Crete one of the most popular destinations for holidays in Greece.
Car and Travel provide services all over the island.
We are a family-owned business specializing in hiring cars and minibuses.
Car and Trave also organize excursions in Crete and Santorini and ticketing for all domestic and International boats and airlines.
For car rental, we offer reliable service with the best low price.
We operate a large fleet of the latest models of cars to rent in Crete. Moreover, you can Choose between a wide selection of convertible cabriolet cars, automatic cars, manual transmission cars, open-top cars, economy cars, jeeps, and mini-buses up to 9 persons.
Furthermore, all our cars are new and checked by reliable mechanics very often so we provide safe and comfortable travel all around the island of Crete.
CAR AND TRAVEL is one of the oldest local companies in the tourist market in Crete.
Our legal License number is “1039 E 81000264401” CAR RENTAL LICENCE and (General tourist office) “1039e6000291801 issued from E.O.T. (Greek Organization of Tourism).
Since our office is near to Heraklion airport, you can rent your car even at the last moment with just a call. For example, you can call from Heraklion Airport, the port, or your hotel and get a last-minute offer Call +30 6932430390.

Our Services:

Our services are:
Above all Car and travel is a car rental company in Heraklion Crete. “ Autovermietung Kreta” “autonollegio”.
We offer free delivery/collection services to airports, ports, and hotels, unlimited mileage, full insurance without self-risk, personal insurance for drivers and passengers, 24-hour road assistance, baby seats, booster seats, free road maps, and GPS navigators. In short, all our rates are total without hidden costs or extras to pay upon arrival.
No Credit card is required.
Although we accept all major credit cards, for your payment we do not require it.
Except for the car rental from our site, you can book all major excursions in Crete.+
We provide service in the areas of Fodele, Agia Pelagia, Amoudara (Heraklion), Heraklion City, Karteros, Kokkini Chani, Gournes, Gouves, Anissaras, Chersonissos, Stalida, and Malia.
Our excursion program is Santorini one-day trip from Heraklion, Balos Beach, Samaria Gorge, Spinalonga BBQ, West Crete ( Chania Rethimno Arkadi ), Lassithi Plateau – Knossos Palace, Lasithi Plateau & caves, Grambousa – Balos, Knossos Palace & Heraklion city tour, Imbros Gorge, Matala Hippie Beach, Preveli tropical beach. Cretan Night, Agios Nikolaos – Plaka – Elounda.

We also issue tickets.

For: Minoan Lines, Anek Lines, Blue Star ferries, Seespeed Lines, Sea Jet, etc
All Domestic and International Airlines and charter flights.

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