Crete sights
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The Palace of Knossos
The Minoan palace at Knossos, covering an area of 215,278 square feet (20,000 sq metres), is one of the world's greatest sightseeing experiences. It consists of four wings, arranged around a rectangular central court. The palace originally had many storeys, was built of ashlar blocks and had walls decorated with splendid frescoes. British archaeologist, Arthur Evans, who excavated most of the labyrinthine Knossos site, has painstakingly restored some sections of the palace. The remains now visible are actually not those of the original palace, which was built around 2,000 BC and destroyed by an earthquake about 1,700 BC. A subsequent more complex palace was then constructed. The palace was first unearthed in 1878 by a Cretan merchant and antiquarian, but was not systematically excavated until 1900. The Knossos site is about three miles (5km) south of Heraklion
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Archaeological Museum of Crete
A visit to the Minoan palace at Knossos should be complemented with a visit to the wonderful Archaeological Museum in Heraklion. Thousands of artefacts depicting the intriguing Minoan culture are on display, from magnificent bull-headed drinking vessels to the mysterious Phaistos disk inscribed with undeciphered symbols
Historical Museum of Crete
This museum deals with Crete's more modern history and highlights the islanders' long battle for independence from the early Christian times to the present day. Exhibits include some Cretan folk art, and the Medieval and Renaissance collection contains the only painting on Crete by the island's famous painter El Greco, The Landscape of God-trodden Mount Sinai. Another world-renowned Cretan, Nikos Kazantzakis, author of Zorba the Greek, is also remembered in the museum, which houses a recreation of his study.
Rethymno
About the remaining parts of Rethymno and the rest of Crete you have the convenience to experience all those too since MountainVista Resort is located right in the middle of Rethymno county and between the other two major cities of Crete, Chania and Iraklio. The ancient Minoan cities of Knossos and Phaestos are very close, the excuisite Venetian cities of Rethymno and Chania are only 20 to 30 minutes away. The unique natural beauty of the Samaria Gorge is just some kilometers away. And of course all those awesome sandy beaches along with the rocky mountains of Ida where Zeus was born are some attractions that can be found nowhere else, other than the legendary island of Crete.
Chania to Imbros: "Crete's Mountain Villages"
Few visit Crete without seeing the Venetian port of Chania. When you arrive - by ferry at Souda or by air, make a beeline for the waterfront restaurants, Karnagio the fish restaurant and the old cobbled, narrow shoplined streets. Take a drive to Vrisses, then up the winding, goat-laden road to Imbros, stop at one of the villages for a "Svakiani pitta" ( a svakian pie - cheese filled and served with honey. The views here are stirring, the people of the Svakian region honest and fierce friends.
Lasithi Plateau
After a week in Crete, sticking out as a highlight is the day trip to the supposed birthplace of Zeus himself: the Lasithi Plateau. Having a car is key if you want to do the ring road around the plateau that passes through 12 small villages (complete with old greek women riding their donkey back from the fields). The plateua itself is a lot cooler than the coast, surrounded by gorgeous mountain views, and dotted with hundreds of no-longer used windmills that used to take advantage of the contstant breeze to supply power and irrigate the extremely fertile plain. The drive to the plateau is the windy, stressful bit. The ring road around the plateau is quick and pleasnt. In summer, the best flora on the island is found up on this plateau. One particular place we stopped at for a drink was drowning in flowers and had an absolotuley incredible view of the plateau below and the mountains in the distance.
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