It’s not unusual for students to visit Crete during the warm summer months – though usually, their travels involve them getting smashed on the alcohol-soaked sands of Malia. However, I decided to avoid Malia and the lifestyle that comes with it in favor of everything else the island has to offer.
As the biggest of the Greek islands, Crete provides visitors with a wide range of places to stay and things to do. I chose to base myself in Koutouloufari, a small village that is home to around 600 inhabitants. Situated in a cluster of charming villages in the Heraklion region, Koutouloufari is in walking distance of some lovely, aesthetically pleasing areas (I recommend Piskopiano) and it is also a fifteen-minute walk away from the tourist hub of Hersonissos which boasts beaches, delicious restaurants, bars and a huge waterpark where you can go bungee jumping. Koutouloufari itself is dotted with quaint gift shops and Cretan restaurants – so many that you’ll be spoilt for choice – but, the most delightful aspect of Koutouloufari is the people. As it’s such a small village that is home to a few hotels, its main trade is tourism and so the people that work in the shops and restaurants go out of their way to make you feel special and ensure you’re having the best time. Especially in the restaurant Ariadni Palace where they’ll happily chat with you about life while they prepare fruity cocktails that are decorated with sparklers!
Piskopiano – Original photo
One downside of Crete and its tumultuous landscape is that it’s quite difficult to get around with public transport. Taxis are expensive and there is a bus service, however, I did not manage to figure out how the buses worked in the ten days I was there. But, fear not! The island is bursting with companies that organize reasonably priced trips to some of its best tourist spots, such as the pink beach at Elafonsi, the Venetian port of Chania and even trips to nearby islands like Santorini.
I went on two trips during my time in Crete in the hopes of seeing some of the best it has to offer and I thoroughly enjoyed both. Though there are plenty of notoriously interesting places on the island like Knossos Palace, I found the mythical and mysterious places I visited the most intriguing.
Nestled on the North-East coast, Agios Nikolaos may seem like your typical shopping town, but it’s also home to a bottomless lake – or so legend says. For a long time, people believed Lake Voulismeni was the crater of an extinct volcano that led to the center of the Earth. Unfortunately, this was disproven when Captain Thomas Pratt discovered its actually about 210 ft deep. With glittering blue waters, the lake is a magnificent sight to behold and every year it hosts a celebration with fireworks and firecrackers as the locals worship Athena who is said to have bathed in the lake.
Agios, Nikolaos – Original Photograph
The most magical place in all of Crete is situated 1,025m above sea level on the Lasithi Plateau: the birthplace of Zeus. The Psychro Cave is a wonder, whether the myths are true or not. Submerged in green and orange light, the stalactites and stalagmites that fill the cave leave visitors in awe – and some with a little chill trickling down their spine. (But beware – there’s a bit of a tricky hike to get to the cave so make sure to wear appropriate clothing!)
The tiny island of Spinalonga also holds an eerie charm. Just off the coast of Plaka, the island houses a Venetian fortress that was invaded by the Ottoman Empire and, most recently, was home to a colony of lepers for over 50 years. The deserted island can get a little cramped during peak season, but if you take five minutes for yourself and wander down one of the dilapidated streets then the soul of the place will leave you speechless. To get the full experience, however, you definitely need to do your research or pay for a tour.
Whether you want a typical beach holiday, a thrilling adventurous holiday where you can sightsee on a quad bike or a trip where you can expand your knowledge and experiences, Crete offers everything and is the place to go.
By Helen Carys Rodgers
Feature image is original