Crete is bordered on the north by the Cretan Sea, and on the south by the Libyan Sea, a reminder about its proximity to northern Africa. Due west and a little north lies Sicily We were told that by a Sicilian restauranteur in  Crete that the two islands are very similar.  Crete is long, narrow, mountainous, and fertile. It seems to be covered in olive trees, which are harvested at the end of October or the beginning of November. It has a sunny climate, thought rains are intermittent in the fall and winter months. There are cities, Heraklion being the largest, many towns and villages. Archeological sites are found throughout the island, with emphasis on the four Minoan palaces. During the heyday of the Minoan civilization, c. 17th and 18th centuries, B.C. , the island of Crete ruled the seas and was a cosmopolitan culture that conducted trade with Asia Minor, Africa,  and Europe. Henry and I chose Crete for rest and relaxation, although a thorough tour of the island would have also been great fun. There are mountains, canyons, a myriad of beaches, and beautiful landscape to explore. We were very satisfied with our isolated beach destination, Ravdoucha Beach, on a peninsula which jutted into the Cretan Sea, giving us beautiful western sunsets over the far western reaches of the island.

PHOTOS: Left Column: 1. Unfinished building with ladder in Kissomos, a harbor town. 2. An olive grove on northern Crete. 3. Church of Ayia Marina, near Kamara, Crete. 4. The rocky shoreline in northern Crete.  Center, Top: A homemade shrine on a small farm in northern Crete.  Center, Bottom: Handsome Henry relaxed in Crete. Right Column: 1. A donkey awaiting its master in a small village in northern Crete. 2. Acacia trees alongside the Cretan Sea. 3. A Greek Orthodox chapel built into the rock face of a mountain in northern Crete.   4. A view of the sea and coastline of Crete from Ravdouha Beach on the north shore.

JOURDAN ARPELLE-ZIEGLER                                           BACK TO MAP PAGE