Retire in Paradise

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The island of Crete is the largest of all the Greek Islands, but is only the fifth largest to be found in the Mediterranean Sea. Certainly of all the Greek Islands this is one that has visitors flocking to its shores every year many return to further enjoy everything that this beautiful island has to offer.

Actually getting to Crete is easy as the island has three airports and two harbors. The airports into which one will fly when visiting this island are the Heraklion Airport, The Akrotiri Airport and the Sitia Airport. All of which provide you with easy access to the major tourist resorts on it.

As well as over 1,000 km of coastline to enjoy visitors have plenty of other places that they can explore and visit during their stay on the island. This island is one of the most mountainous of all the islands to be found in the Mediterranean.

At the western end of the island you will find White Mountain (Lefka Ori) which stands at 2,453m tall, then in the center is Mount Idi (Psiloritis) which stands at a height of 2,456m (and is the tallest). Then on the eastern end of the island is Mount Dikti which stands just 2,148m tall. But along with these mountains you will find that Cretan Mountains that run from one end of the island to the other. It is these which help to make the island seem far larger than it really is.

To get away from the hustle and bustle of the beaches during the summer head up to Lake Kournas and just take in its splendid vistas. At the same as you wander around the shores of the lake why not stop and take a rest in one of its many taverns.

Most people will tend to visit the island during the summer months, but be aware that it can get extremely hot especially between July and August. During these two months the temperatures can get well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Centigrade).

If you want to avoid all this hassle but still have great weather then it is worth considering visiting the Island of Crete in October. During this month there is still plenty of sunshine to be enjoyed, but also the heat is that much more bearable as well.

But as well as spending time relaxing on Crete’s beaches there are plenty of historical sites that one can visit as well. The main ones that many tourists visit when they come to Crete are Knossos Palace and Phaestos Palace. Both of which provide you with a clear insight in the kinds of people the Minoans were who originally inhabited this beautiful Greek island.

Tags: Travel & Leisure