Crete

A cultural jewel of Greece, the Mediterranean island of Crete will surprise you with its varied collection of attractions. A melting pot of numerous cultures, the Cretan landscape is painted with Venetian constructions, Ottoman buildings, and more. But at its heart, the well-preserved legacies of the Minoan civilization––Knossos, Phaistos, Malia, and more––will have you unearthing its secrets all day long. Near the sea, the old port town of Chania is the place to be to feast on local culture and spectacular sites from the harbor. Beyond it, the pink-sand beaches of Elafonissi and Balos Lagoon await. Find your way to Crete, where its solitude in the sea offers a mesmerizing escape.