A little bit about Crete:

Being the southernmost and the biggest Island in the Greek Waters, Crete is officially known as a Greek Island, but a lot of people, including the residents, feel that Crete is a land in its own right. It is approximately two and a half times the size of Majorca and its combination of numerous beaches, magnificent mountains, luscious valleys, its tiny villages, large cities, fortresses, archaeological sites, its history riddled land, its distance from the Mainland, its unique customs and fantastic History one can understand why it feels like another land. This is also emphasised by the fact that locals speak Greek, but a slightly different dialect.

Crete was home to the first European Civilisation, the Minoans who ruled the island as early as 2000 BC. Their history and influence on the island as well as on the island's culture is evident everywhere. If you have time you really should go and visit Knossos, where the Minoan Palace lies. It is located very close to Iraklion (5km) and about 100 km from Agios Nikolaos/ Elounda.

Crete is truly an amazing place, a small little state on its own. One that is full of places to discover, things to see and do but also offers the largest variety of what ever you would expect to find on a Greek Island.

Agios Nikolaos & Elounda:

Agios Nikolaos and Elounda are located in the Eastern Part of Crete.

Agios Nikolaos is situated around a bottomless Salt Lake, which now connects to the sea, by flowing through a small harbour. It is rumoured that Olympian Gods bathed in this Lake. Its majestic surroundings to this day still attract people to come and catch a glimpse at the beautiful place. It has a bustling nightlife, which offers a variety of choices of where to dine and where to enjoy a cocktail or a cold beer with views of the sea. The walls in the town are covered in Honeysuckle, leaving that beautifully sweet scent lingering in the air as you walk around the streets.

The town offers a cosmopolitan atmosphere, which attracts numerous tourists on holidays from around the globe each year. It is home to a number of resorts, luxurious holiday villas for rent but also high standard but low cost accommodation as well.

Elounda is located slightly to the North of Agios Nikolaos and only 10 Km away. This is the resort location that is known world wide. It has an indented coastline with pristine beaches, seas and beautiful views of the Mirambello Gulf and Korfos. Elounda was is built on the Gulf of Elounda 1 km away from the ancient settlement Olous, which was a favoured destination of the Minoan head figures. Elounda is made up of four villages Pano Elounda (upper), Kato Elounda (lower), Mavrikiano and Skisma all of which sit above the sea.

This is the calmer, quieter side of this area of Crete, with the calm seas, beautiful views and amazing beaches that run along in front of the villages. The area's beauty and atmosphere makes it a must an area one must visit.

Travel to Crete with us and learn about the History of this Greek Island.

Crete is the largest Island of Greece and one with the oldest history of the Greek Islands and ideal place to enjoy a combination of a beach holiday and a cultural holiday.

There are signs that life has been on Crete for more than 130,000 years. It is however where the earliest of Europe's civilizations, the Minoans, settled. As many people have heard this civilization also spread and took over other islands as well as parts of Mainland of Greece. There is evidence that they were incredibly advanced for their time and were in the centre of the Maritime Trade from 2000BC. It is said that this civilization survived various natural disasters that destroyed, homes, palaces, which they rebuilt and some of them remain for us to admire today.

With their History dating sp far back, the Island has seen a lot of changes, a lot of civilizations, different occupations. The Island has been ruled by its own people, the Minoans and the Mycenae's, it has been taken over by the Venetians and the Ottoman Empire. In more recent history it was split into four sectours between the UK, Italy, Russia and France as they were fighting to maintain their power of the Island.

This land's history is packed with tales of Mythology. It is claimed that the father of all the Olympian Gods, Zeus, was born on this tremendous island, on Mount Ida. Zeus also destroyed a giant Lizard that was threatening the Island. Crete is also where the tales of the Minotaur derive.

The bull was worshipped by the Minoans and it was celebrated in the construction of palaces like Knossos. There are a few variations of the myth about the Minotaur and the Labyrinth. The best known includes the Prince Theseus, a very complicated maze and the death of the Minotaur at the hand of Theseus.

Agios Nikolaos & Elounda

• Agios Nikolaos had settlements dating as far back as the Bronze Age with occupants of Lato.
• Elounda is slighter younger with history dating back to the Venetian Era.

Knossos

This is probably the most famous site on this enormous island. It is quite a trek from Agios Nikolaos and Elounda but it is well worth it. The area was first inhabited in 7000 BC; the palace that remains however was rebuilt in 1350 BC after being destroyed in 1700 BC. The construction itself was excavated in on several occasions beginning in the late 1800s and ending in 1931. The site is huge and in excellent condition. You can always tag along side one of the tour groups strolling around the palace and site, in case you miss something.

Agios Nikolaos

You should pop by the Archaeological Museum. It has a collection with artefacts dating back to the Neolithic Era (6000 BC) up to the 1^st and 2^nd Century AD. You can even take a look at an athlete's skull from the 1^st Century AD.

You can also go into the Folklore Museum.

Theatre:

Whilst wandering by the Lake, drop into the open air Theatre which is a hub for artists and cultural presentations, exhibitions.

Sports:

If you are feeling sporty, there are loads of facilities that you can visit; ranging from football to mini golf, swimming pools to beach volley. The athletic complexes around the town are used by professional athletes, sports enthusiasts and people looking for a good work out.

THINGS TO DO

Beaches

This little Town cannot boast a huge variety or selection of beaches. However, the water is beautifully clean and they are in easy reach of the town, some in walking distance and others a few minutes away by car.

Almiros Beach is the best beach in Agios Nikolaos, it has great shallow water for little children to run around and paddle in.

Chavania Beach is another lovely sandy beach just outside the town.

Shopping:

There is a wide selection of little shops selling traditional Cretan artwork, jewellery, embroidery, woven goods and replicas of artefacts and Byzantine Icons. 

Spinaloga:

Boats run regularly from the port to the island of Spinaloga. A magnificent fortress still stands on this small island, built initially by the Venetians as a bastion.

This is a tiny islet and its fortress stood strong against the Turkish even when the mainland had fallen. It then became a sanctuary for a leper colony.

Olous:

Formally one of the most important cities in Crete, this ancient "Sunken City" flourished mainly under the Minoan Rule. You will find a number of resorted windmills, a short canal, a former Roman Basilica, a very well preserved mosaic of a dolphin. Unfortunately all that is left of the sunken city is a couple of walls submerged under water.

You can even swim around here but be careful where you step there are sea urchins on the rocks.

THINGS TO DO

Beaches:

The beaches around Elounda are borders of crystal clear waters. There are 9 beaches with award winning blue flags.

Pebble beaches:
Aghias Marinas Beach and Plaka Beach.

Organised Beach:
Municipal Beach is fully organised with water sports, restaurants, cafes, etc.

Award Winning beaches:
Shiona Beach and Poros Beach are two of the nine award winning beaches.

Also go by the Kolokithas Beach and swim in its blue-green waters.

Shopping:

In the shops around Elounda you will find local produce, Cretan Wines, Cretan Honey and their lovely Cretan Cheese. Selections of shops sell: high quality leather goods, terracotta bowls, copper & bronze items and wooden sculptures & cooking utensils. Of course you can also find clothing, shoe, jewellery, book shops, art galleries etc.

Enjoy your Holidays in Crete and best of Greece Holidays will guide you through the culture and History of this unique Greek Island.

Agios Nikolaos and Elounda offer two different types of Nightlife.

Agios Nikolaos where to wine and dine:

There is a thriving nightlife in this town, with a big selection of bars, music bars and disco/clubs. You can wonder the streets and the crowds will guide you to where the bars are. You can find anything from rock music to the traditional Cretan Music. There is also the option of having a drink or a refreshing cocktail on top of a roof with a view of the lake, ask the locals and they will point you in the right direction.

We would suggest you avoid eating around the lake, just because these are the classic tourist restaurants. Of course if you don't mind sit down and enjoy a good meal with a great view. There is a lot on offer, you can find simple tavernas and fancier restaurants. Try out an ouzeri that serves meze (little pickies) with a glass of ouzo.

Elounda where to wine and dine:

Elounda's nightlife is definitely not as lively as the nightlife in Agios Nikolaos. There are a few cafes and cocktail bars. The ones around the main square are the livelies. There are also places you can go and dance along with the Greeks listening to live Greek Music.

For satisfying your hunger, there are a few ultra chic places as well as classic tavernas and little ouzeris.

Whilst you are in Crete try some of their local specialities. The island is so large that you should probably ask the locals what is the local speciality. A few things that you must try are: Cretan Salad, try the honey and cheese, the stuffed vine leaves, rabbit with yoghurt, meat in red sauce and end your meal with some fruit or local yoghurt served with honey and walnuts. Accompany you meal with Raki. Raki is a Cretan white spirit. It's very clean and smooth tasting but is definitely not for the light hearted!