The island of Crete

Crete is the most southern region of Greece and Europe, separating the Aegean Sea from the Libyan Sea, it marks a physical boundary between Europe and Africa. It is the largest Greek island and one of the largest in the Mediterranean basin, with a total surface of 8,336 km², 1,100 km of coastline and approximately 623,000 inhabitants.

The island of Crete boasts a long and turbulent history and a fascinating culture. Cultural influences from other civilizations of the West and the East, as well as the remains of the glorious Minoan civilization (c. 2700–1420 BC), are found across the island. This mix of civilizations has marked contemporary Cretan culture, which is still vibrant and distinctive as it has always been.

The Cretan land encompasses an amazing variety of landscapes and landforms. Crete is renowned for its breathtaking mountain ranges, fertile valleys, the plethora of caves, gorges and plateaus of exceptional beauty as well as for its long sandy beaches and clear blue seas. Historic and cultural attractions, Cretan traditions, traditional settlements, monuments, archaeological sites, social mores, the local proceedings, the Cretan cuisine, the natural environment, the folkloric richness, remarkable ecosystems and unique landscapes are waiting to be discovered.

The climate of Crete is characterized as mild and Mediterranean with four distinct seasons. It is dry and warm, which means lots of sunshine all year round, very small seasonal changes in temperatures and no extreme weather phenomena. Theaverage year temperature is 19°C. During May, expect the temperature to range between 20°C (at night) to 30°C, with occasional rain.