The shelters of South-East Crete

Crete: Tertsa beach
myrtosAfter so many days in tranquility, it’s our turn to experience the windy face of Crete. You may have read or heard that you should be prepared to encounter wind in Crete (and generally in the islands of the Aegean sea), but it is rarely mentioned that the wind, especially the northern one, the Meltemi, could be so fierce, that it is almost impossible to endure it. As this was our case, we had to find a solution!

Continue reading

Crete: Gortys and its laws

Crete, Gortys
gortysConcluding our tour in the past of Messara’s plain, we headed east to the archaeological site of Gortyn, located 15 km from of the Palace of Phaestos and 18km from the Royal Villa of Agia Triada. Surprise! Unlike to what happened at these sites, where all their treasures were transferred to the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, one of the most impressive find of the excavation of Gortyn is still here. Maybe it was too heavy for transportation…

Continue reading

Crete: Festos and Agia Triada

Crete, Festos
faistosAfter a deep immersion in hippies culture in Matala and in the beauty of the surrounding area, it seems fair to dedicate few hours for some more serious stuff. Archeology of course! Two of the most important Minoan sites of southern Crete are located just few kilometres north of Matala: the Palace of Phaistos (also spelled Phaistos, Phaestos, Phaistos or Phaestus) and the Royal Villa of Agia Triada (also written Hagia Triada or Ayia Triada).

Continue reading