"Yasas Creta" a Crete Island Travel Page by bpwillet

Wether you are looking to walk the beaches at sunset, climb the craggs of Samaria Gorge, or explore some of the historical sites, Crete will always stick with you. As one of the largest islands of the Greek island chain, Crete has a rich past and a colorful culture that is very inviting and impressive. Many people may come here and become disengaged because of the tourist take over. But do not be afraid. Crete has so much to offer and with a little effort you can find those places and moments that will stay with you forever.
Most of my trips to Crete have been with large groups of friends with various ideas of travel. The best is to just get out there. Explore as much of it as you can with the time that you have. You can see so much in one day you will be surprised. I hope you enjoy this as much as I have visiting Crete. Hopefully your time spent there will be just as memorable.

Crete has had a significant place in the culture and history of many Mediterranean countries. The early civilizations on Crete began as far back as 2000BC and was even the focal point of Greek mythology with as the birthplace of Zeus. Settlers from the Levant and North Africa came to be known as the Minoans, a very significant group of people to the history and cultural expansion of early Crete. Extensive trading and elaborate palaces were built during the peaceful times of their rule. Replaced by the more aggressive Myceneans from mainland Greece began the flux of different ruling classes and political uncertainty until the 20th Century. Dorians ruled until the Romans retaliated against Cretan pirates. The Apostle Paul arrived in 64AD and spread Christianity until Islam replaced it with the arrival of the Arabs and later the control of The Ottoman Empire.

Crete was sold to the Venetians at the fall of the Byzantine empire and was later won by the Ottoman Empire during a series of sieges in the 1600's. Crete succumed to Islamic conversion but held on to their Orthodox monastaries. Rebellions became prevalent as Cretans fought to retake their land from foreign occupation. Their resiliance to invasions against Ottomans, Turks, oppressive governments didn't stop the German invasion in 1944. Crete was aided by Allied forces and eventually ridded its shores of Germans when they surrendered to British forces in 1945. Somewhat autonomous of Greece, and a part of NATO, they still dislike foreign military presence. Something they protest against even today. Crete has a colorful history and their traditions have been retained despite various cultural invasions.