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I admit, that was one of the few times I didn’t leave with great enthusiasm, I didn’t know Crete, I didn’t know anything about it: little publicized, not too popular among my peers, a little forgotten by other travel bloggers, yet so great, so present in our history books, one of the cradles of European civilization. Why did I twist my nose? I still don’t know but the fact is, I’ve believed, I’ve had to…
Crete so great, so varied. In the air the scent of Middle Eastern spices, the music that seems to come from afar, in space and time. Large expanses of rocks, vineyards, pastures and then sea; sea so blue, so transparent, cold, alive. Many small coves where you do not feel the heat of neighboring Turkey, the wind pampers you, refreshes you and lets you rest in the sun.
Agia Pelagia is a picturesque bay
to the southwest by Heraklion, the capital of Crete. So small and characteristic hosts many families and also many young people under the straw umbrellas of very small bathing establishments. The sea is a natural swimming pool, the shore is clearly separated from the overhang thanks to a band of rocks. Where the sea becomes deeper, bluer and colder you can not but wear the mask to discover the true masters of the waters of Crete: colorful fish of all species, they swim curiously around your body.. a sight a few feet from the white sand.
The whole beach is lined with small restaurants, of which our favorite is the colorful “The Home” :we go there every morning, for the view, for the welcoming environment and for breakfast based on Greek yogurt seasoned with graniles, dried fruit and honey but often we also go there for lunch or dinner, we really feel at … Home.
Heraklion
the capital, retains all its authenticity in every street, both in the morning and in the evening. The small port is welcoming and all the clubs, from the restaurant to the disco, always retain a bit of Greek tradition. The restaurants serve fresh fish accompanied by Ouzo, the tourist-friendly streets are delicately lit and perfect for long quiet walks even if you always breathe festive air. The historic buildings are truly imposing and majestic, they preserve all the splendor that has always characterized Greece, in every era, in every century, since the dawn of civilization.
The ideal place to party, in the Cretan way, is to move to Hersonissos,listed for nightlife and transgression, here the youth of the island is concentrated combined with that coming from the rest of the world.
One of the most beautiful beaches on the island
it is definitely Elafonissi Beach and is also known as the pink beach. The only universal beauty is that of nature and this beach is one of the demonstrations of how true this is. Kilometers of corals that over time have literally crumbled leaving a kind of pink sand continuously caressed by transparent waters.
The road from Agia Pelagia to Elafonissi is long and I dare say impervious; we will never forget the kilometers of mountain we have crossed, the elbow bends and the climbs with the sun on our faces, but we will never forget any landscape we could enjoy either. On these mountains even people look different, they seem trapped in a time of kindness, hospitality and good manners that today is almost impossible to find. For this reason, do not refuse the invitation to lunch of a lady who has a small place of typical products and do not be surprised if on return she will be waiting for you to drink together the very strong typical Cretan liqueur, Rakì.
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