Some information
about Crete...
Crete, a place blessed in every aspect. Blessed with rich history and culture, dynamic economy, and outstanding natural beauty. The largest island of Greece situated in a strategic position in the Mediterranean, the southernmost point of Europe.
Crossroads of different cultures, since according to historical records, the island has been inhabited by generations of Minoans, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Turks, Jews, Egyptians. According to mythology, Crete-born Zeus was born and raised in Crete. Furthermore, Minos has been referred to Greek Mythology as the son of Zeus and Europe. Homer, in his Iliad refers also to Minoan Crete and its ninety countries with the brave young men.
The island has remained under Turkish occupation for nearly 250 years and was united with Greece in 1913. Today Crete is a contemporary and cosmopolitan island, maintaining however its traditional features which are further developed, contributing thus to the development of tourism, consisting a "heavy industry" sector and one of the island’s main wealth resources.
Summer in Crete lasts eight with nine months ... favouring both tourism and the production of goods from Crete’s fertile soils, as well as the development of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar energy.
Tourism is the fastest growing sector of the island, whereas demand has motivated significant investment in hotels, resulting in quantitative and qualitative upgrading of hotel infrastructure and accommodation.
The island has numerous and excellent beaches which have won international awards and can satisfy even the most demanding tastes, either for cosmopolitan or for secluded beaches.
In recent years certain operators have attempted an additional "opening" to new markets in order to attract tourism and channel the outstanding products of Cretan land. Crete produces excellent oil, raisins, whereas early vegetables are cultivated and exported throughout Europe, whereas many herbs and native plants are grown in Cretan mountains.
In the mountainous parts of the island both nature tourism and livestock farming are developed, producing this high quality milk and dairy products. Furthermore, Cretan diet is prominent, offering benefits linking tourism with the primary sector. This diet has classified Cretan to be the longest living people on the planet, but unfortunately Cretan diet tends to be abandoned in recent years because of the modern lifestyle.
Finally, renewable energy sources are growing rapidly within the last years on the island, offering thus a different perspective on the economy of Crete.
Crete is a magical paradise for every visitor all year round... We challenge you come and find out... We will take care of your stay...
Now, a few words about the prefecture of Lasithi, one of the 4 prefectures of Crete... The prefecture of Lasithi has excellent tourist infrastructure, with beautiful tourist resorts such as Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, Sitia and Ierapetra, which have acquired worldwide fame and welcome every year thousands of visitors from all over the world.
The area is suitable for nature trails, religious tourism, historical and archaeological research, and its fertile soils produce the largest quantities of fruits and vegetables in Crete, as well as excellent quality olive oil and raisins. Lasithi also has some of the most beautiful beaches in Crete, some sandy, some with fine pebbles, some sheltered from the winds and others hidden in small and very charming coves, with the best known of these being in Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, in Vai palm beach, in Makrygialos and Ierapetra.
The prefecture of Lasithi is also surrounded by many small islands, with Spinalonga being the most famous of them, while equally noteworthy are Agioi Pantes, Psira and the islet of Agios Nikolaos, Dionysades, Elasa, Grantes, Koufonissi and Chrysi.
MUNICIPALITY of MIRAMPELO
It was formed following unification of the municipalities of Ag. Nicolaos and Napoli and community of Vrachasio. It is a main tourist Municipality, combining sea and mountains with the Bay of Mirabello and the mountains all around. Besides the town of Agios Nikolaos the region has a benchmark, the lake as well as Ellounda, a worlwide renowned tourism resort, attracting well-off visitors. A further interesting feature is Spinalonga which functioned as a leper colony in the 50's. The city of Ag. Nicolaos has a marina, whereas clean beaches are located outside the town, in Elounda, Plaka and Kalo Chorio. The lovers of mountain, dense vegetation and bare rocks, shall have the possibility to visit the mountain range "Katharo", presenting particular scientific interest, since researchers and paleontologists have traced fossils of dwarf hippos and elephants.
Neapoli Region
A dynamic region which before the unification was a separate municipality. Napoli has dominated as capital of Lassithi until 1904, when the capital was moved to Ag. Nicolaos. There is a Museum of Folk Culture and Folklore Society in Ano Mirabello in the town. East of Naples, on the hill of “Ag.Antonios” the visitor can see Dreros, one of the greatest ancient cities of Crete.
Vrachasi Region
Vrachasi has been built on the southern slope of the mountain Anavlochos and due to its location it was the theater of many conflicts during the revolution periods. It was capital of the homonymous municipality from 1878 to 1925, and from 1925 to 1998. The region has joined the City of Napoli from 1998 to 2006, but because of the protests of local residents, since 2006 it has been again a Community together with the villages of the former Milatos community.
MUNICIPALITY of IERAPETRA
There are two main activities in Ierapetra, the southernmost gate of Europe. The greenhouses with early vegetables, having found the "ideal" place since 60's, making thus the region famous worldwide ever since. Even today they continue to be one of the main survival resources sources of the inhabitants. At the same time, however, tourism has been developed, giving birth to many excellent hotels and accommodations. The beaches in the region are 51km long in total, being among the cleanest beaches in Crete and many of them have been awarded with the international Blue Flag distinction.
They extend from traditional Myrtos to "Megali Paralia" in Ferma and are distinguished for their rich sand. Of course we have to mention also the beaches on the north side of the municipality, the Municipal District Pahia Ammos and the magical beaches of the Chryssi island.
Makri Gialos Region
Makri Gialos is also a tourism and agricultural area, considered one of the best resorts in eastern Crete. Large areas of olive groves producing the famous olive, distinguished by its exceptional quality, considered one of the healthiest oils in the world, thrive and are cultivated in the fertile soils of Pefka and surrounding areas. The most popular beach is the one located in the settlement of Analipsi, now known as Makri Gialos. Other Popular destinations are also Diaskari and Lagada.
MUNICIPALITY of SITIA
It is the easternmost municipality of Crete and resulted from the unification of the former municipalities of Itanos, Lefki and Sitia. The region's economy is mainly based on primary agricultural production, whereas tourism industry has been a significant growth axis during recent years, developing high standards small and big hotels. Furthermore, the sector of Renewable Energy Sources has been tremendously developed. The municipality has many attractions, beautiful beaches and breathtaking natural scenery with alternating images of mountains, sea and plain. Archaeological sites exist in Zakros Itanos, Mochlos, Palekastro. In Sitia the visitor can also find the Monastery of Toplou, the best known of the Monasteries located in the region, due to the high tourism investment being in progress in the region. There are also other monasteries, such as Monastery of Kapsa and Monastery of Faneromeni.
Itanos Region
In Itanos there is Vai forest, the unique palm forest all over Greece and Europe, that occupies 200.000 sq. m., consisting of native palms of Theophrastus. A great part of the region's population is involved in tourism, since in Itanos the visitor can find some of the most scenic and pristine beaches of eastern Crete, such as Palekastro, Kato Zakros, Chiona, Kouremenos and Xerokampos.
Lefki Region
The area of Lefki is fertile and produces olive oil, magnificent grapes, wine and dairy products. In Ziros there are old churches, most important of which is the St. Paraskevi and Ag. Nicoalos, whereas both are decorated with frescoes and inscriptions dating since 16th century. There are also the caves of Agrilia and Lygias Spili. Hand bells for animals, an art that tends to disappear, are also made in this region.
MUNICIPALITY of OROPEDIO
The municipality of Oropedion in Lasithi, is an eminently mountainous region, consisting of the mountainous zone and three plateaus. It is the only insular municipality which is not adjacent to any point on the sea, whereas the straight-line distance between Oropedion and the closest point (Malia) is around 8km. Benchmark of Oropedion region are the windmills, which have been used in older times for irrigation and have made the region famous worldwide. The mountains Dikti and Dikteon Andron are located in Oropedion, where according to Greek mythology, Zeus was born. The economy of Oropedio of Lassithi is mixed. Agricultural economy (Agriculture - Livestock) employs 90% of the population. Tourism and services employ the remaining 10%. Alternative-nature tourism is also a tourism sector well developed in Oropedio.