Crete

Crete is the largest island in Greece, and the fifth largest one in the Mediterranean Sea. Here, the visitor can admire the remnants of brilliant civilizations, explore glorious beaches, impressive mountainscapes, fertile valleys and steep gorges, and become part of the island’s rich gastronomic culture. Crete is, after all, a small universe teeming with beauties and treasures that you will probably need a lifetime to uncover!

Crete is divided in to four prefectures. From west to east there are Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion and Lasithi.

Minoan Civilization, Knossos Palace, Heraklion

Knossos was the capital of Minoan Crete and it was inhabited for several thousand years, beginning with a neolithic settlement sometime in the seventh millennium BC, and was abandoned after its destruction in 1375BC which marked the end of Minoan civilization.

• Region of Crete - http://www.crete.gov.gr/index.php?lang=en
• Crete (wikipedia) - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crete
• Wines of Crete - http://www.winesofcrete.gr/cretewines/en/home.html

(src: wikipedia and www.visitgreece.gr)