Greece’s most stunning island, Crete, is home to captivating Greek, Venetian, and Ottoman villages, as well as mesmerising historic ruins and sensational beaches with some of Europe’s most magnificent sands. Where do you begin if you have little time to explore this island?
Most prerequisites are met when you consider the island’s distinctive culture, exquisite food, exuberant music, and flamboyant dancing. However, along with sipping cocktails at your resort whilst sunbathing, exploring the island’s historical landscapes on a Land Rover tour, sailing the Aegean Sea, visiting monasteries and hiking a gorge will top your stay on the island.
The Land Rover Expedition: A Journey of Freedom
My fun began with the delightful rumble of the Land Rover’s engine, a symbol of the freedom and independence that awaited me on Crete’s open roads. My expedition with Safari Club Crete was extraordinary – led by the charismatic and knowledgeable guide, Jason, who has been living in Crete since 2012 and is from the North West of England.
From the very beginning, Jason’s passion for the island’s incredible history, culture, and natural wonders was evident. Hayley, who was on tour with me with her family, commented on one of my social posts about this excursion, telling me, “This is one of our favourite memories too – Jason, our guide, was amazing.”
The harsh landscape and scenic routes provided a captivating backdrop as we ventured through picturesque villages – every twist and turn led to new surprises – from quaint village shops serving local delicacies to breathtaking viewpoints that seemed to touch the heavens.
One memorable process I saw was cheese-making, a craft deeply ingrained in Cretan tradition. Unfortunately, I couldn’t eat the cheese due to my inability to consume dairy, but I witnessed firsthand the meticulous techniques employed by local artisans, learning about the art of cheese-making that has been perfected over generations.
To round off the adventure, we stopped and fed goats, with a couple of them coming up on Jason’s arm to be fed – a marvellous tour that had everything.
Sailing the Aegean Dream
Leaving behind the sturdy Land Rover, I set my sights on the Aegean Sea, an expanse of sky-blue that beckoned with promises of adventure and respite. Boarding a traditional sailboat in Agia Galini in the south of Crete near my hotel, Paralos Irini Mare, I embarked on a journey that unveiled a different perspective of Crete’s beauty – one that stretched far beyond its shores. I also got the chance to sail for a bit as well – my first time sailing.
Once we stopped near the shore, I indulged in snorkelling to discover the vibrant marine life beneath the surface. It was a fantastic experience, and I looked for fish with my snorkel, but I only spotted a few.
After the snorkel, with the sea breeze in my hair and the sun warming my skin, I savoured a scrumptious lunch complemented by local wine and homemade lemonade while gazing at the infinite shades of blue the sea and sky combined to create.
Whether basking in the sun’s warmth or plunging into the cool embrace of the sea, every moment on the Aegean celebrated life and nature’s wonders.
Monasteries: A Glimpse into Spiritual Serenity
Crete’s landscape is punctuated by monasteries perched atop hills and cliffs, inviting contemplation and solitude. Some of these monasteries dating back centuries offered a glimpse into the island’s deep-rooted spirituality and provided panoramic views that left me breathless.
I marvelled at a couple of these spiritual sanctuaries’ with the one that stuck out for me called the Moni Odigitrias due to its architectural splendour. The monastery offered a peaceful refuge, a pause from the hustle and bustle of modern life. As I stood within their walls, the sacred sanctuary provided a moment of reflection and a chance to connect with the island’s timeless traditions.
Hiking the Heart-Stirring Gorges
A visit to Crete would only be complete with experiencing its legendary gorges. Strapping on my hiking boots, I journeyed through one of the island’s most famous natural wonders – Imbros Gorge.
The journey began at the gorge’s entrance, where towering cliffs welcomed me into their embrace. The path, carved over centuries by the forces of nature, led me through an intriguing maze of towering rock walls and lush greenery. The sunlight filtered through the canopy above, casting dappled patterns on the ground as rustling leaves serenaded my senses.
I met a pair of Greek hikers on holiday, Saeed and Anika, and asked them what they thought of it and why they came here. They both told me, “We love to hike, and we wanted to see what it was like to hike one of Crete’s great gorges. We also wanted to get away from the city life, and this was ideal for us both.”
I share both their sentiments as with each step; the gorge unveiled its secrets — narrow passages that opened up into expansive chambers and dramatic rock formations that seemed to defy gravity. The air was imbued with a sense of ancient wisdom as if the very stones held stories of epochs gone by.
You can experience all this at a cost of around €6 to pay at the entrance, which is well worth the money.
A Tapestry of Memories
My time in Crete wove together a tapestry of memories – from the exhilarating freedom of being driven by Jason on a Land Rover to the enchantment of sailing the Aegean Sea and the awe-inspiring beauty of hiking through a dramatic gorge. Crete, with its rich history, warm people, and breathtaking scenery, revealed itself as an island of contrasts and surprises, an island where every corner holds a new adventure waiting to be discovered.
These remarkable experiences were made possible by the impeccable planning and execution of Greek Holidays, the travel company that organised my journey. Their thorough attention to detail ensured that every aspect of my trip was seamless, allowing me to focus solely on absorbing the wonders of Crete.
If you ever seek to explore the heart and soul of Crete, I wholeheartedly recommend embarking on this journey of a lifetime.
If you are passionate about hiking in the wild nature, check out our Naturalist Journeys page to discover other exciting destinations.
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Shebs Alom
Shebs is a Broadcaster, writer and Podcaster. He is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers. He’s hosted a breakfast called Rise & Shine on the only dedicated travel radio station in Africa, Gallivant Radio. Shebs also hosts a travel podcast, Take a Wander With Shebs, which can be seen on his YouTube channel and heard on all major podcasting platforms. Shebs is also the Editor & Commercial Officer for Voyagers Voice. He also runs Shebs The Wanderer Ltd.