Journey to Joy
Exploring Rethymno's Beaches and Heraklion's Knossos
Exploring Rethymno's Beaches and Heraklion's Knossos
Welcome to our latest article for delving into the wonders of Crete. Within these articles, our intent extends beyond mere informative prose; we endeavor to exalt the eternal allure of the place of Crete through the marriage of a select few words. Indeed, words often falter in encapsulating the entirety of what the island's forests and seas have borne witness to. From the hallowed echoes of the Minoan era to the tumultuous epochs of Turkish occupation and onward through the modern tapestry of Hellenistic times and the upheavals of world wars—such is the storied saga of Crete.
Within its embrace exists a tapestry woven with threads of celebration and tragedy alike. Within the flow of history's tide, Crete has seen its fair share of both triumph and tribulation, leaving an indelible mark upon its landscape and its people.
Yet, amidst the echoes of ages past, there remains one constant: the nature of Crete, unyielding. Thus, dear readers, we invite you to take a deep breath and allow Crete to guide you on a journey unlike any other, where the past converges with the present and the lines between reality and myth blur into one.
In the previous article, we toured Rethymno and explored the Old Town, the Temples, and even caves! But we didn't have time to swim in the lush green waters of the town, nor did we dare to look a little further afield at the strict Heraklion - strict because the city of Heraklion has the character of a capital.
North Coast
If you are with your family and small children, the ideal place for you would be an organized beach, with sunbeds, umbrellas, and a lifeguard. The beach of Rethymno town to the east of the city, with a length of about 18 km, is what you are looking for.
You can still visit the beach next to Kitrenosi or the beach where the river Geropotamos flows into (both of which can be accessed from the Rethymno-Heraklion highway, about 15 km from Rethymno), the beach of the picturesque village of Panormo (about 20 km from Rethymno) and the small but quite touristy Bali with its many small sandy bays (about 34 km from the town).
West of the town, a few kilometers away, is the pebbled bay of Gerani, while a little further on, is the beach of Episkopi (a huge sandy beach with several organized spots) that starts from the river Petre on the Rethymno-Chania highway and reaches as far as Kavros and Georgioupolis in the prefecture of Chania.
In several of the above beaches, you will find small picturesque tavernas and restaurants, beach bars, and cafes to enjoy your meal or drink with a wonderful view.
Preveli
The beach "Limni" of Preveli is located on the southern coast of Rethymno, about 40 km south of the city. Follow the road to Plakias and shortly after Lefkogeia, follow the sign to Limni Preveli.
This is a unique sandy beach, beautiful, with a small forest of palm trees that make it look exotic. At this point on the beach, there is also the mouth of the Kourtaliotis River, which has plenty of water, even in summer. It forms a small lagoon before spilling into the sea. So the visitor who chooses this place for swimming has the unique opportunity to swim either in the salty sea waters or the fresh waters of the lagoon and the river!
Heraklion
Heraklion is the largest urban center of Crete, the capital of the region, and the economic center of the island. The city is also the commercial and scientific center of the island. It occupies a strategic geopolitical position in the south-eastern Mediterranean basin, linking three continents and many cultures.
Modern Heraklion keeps the tradition of one of the most attractive cities in the Mediterranean! It covers and satisfies all the tastes and requirements of the visitor and the resident. For centuries it was the center, the metropolis of Crete, and still holds the scepter, offering many interesting activities and a pleasant daily life. The sights in Heraklion are many since here are the oldest monuments and the samples of the first civilization of Europe, testimonies of Western Civilization. In the Heraklion area, the god of hospitality, Zeus, merged with the beautiful queen of Europe, who gave birth to the Minoan kings and sages, the founders of the first civilized world of our continent.
Knossos
The Minoan palace is the main place to visit in Knossos, an important city in antiquity, with a continuous life from Neolithic times to the 5th century AD. It is built on the hill of Kefalas, with easy access to the sea and to the interior of Crete. According to tradition, it was the seat of the wise king Minos. Fascinating myths of the Labyrinth with the Minotaur and Daedalus with Icarus are linked to the palace of Knossos.
To sum up, our journey with you ends here, but Crete still holds many treasures—historical and natural—that are waiting to be discovered.
Entrust your baggage to Lock&Walk, Chania's premier luggage storage company, and let's travel lightly to this beautiful island.
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