About Crete

Crete offers a great deal more than any other Greek Island. Its diversity and richness are complemented by staggering natural beauty and a warm, dry Mediterranean climate with long summers and short winters. This is a working island and remains a land rooted in its villages, each with its own character and traditions where the pace of life is determined by the agricultural calendar.

Crete – a brief history

Crete has a history and culture stretching back to the Stone Age. Its geographic situation in the southern Mediterranean has attracted invaders throughout the centuries and sustained an influence in world affairs that Crete's size belies.

Part of Greece since 1913, Crete has a population of 550,000 and is 260 km long and between 15 and 60km wide. The main towns of Heraklion, Chania and Rethimnon are all situated on the north coast.

Useful websites

• Crete tourist board:	www.gnto.co.uk
• Crete information sites:	www.explorecrete.com www.livingincrete.net
Flights are available to the main airports (Heraklion and Chania) from around the UK
• For charter flights see:	www.cheapflights.co.uk www.tripadvisor.com www.britanniarairways.com www.xl.com www.flymonarch.com www.thompson-holidays.com
• For schedules flights see:	www.olympicairlines.com www.ba.com www.easyjet.com