Crete Attractions

CretAquarium, Gournes

Advantages: Educational, easily accessible; good for a cloudy day!
Disadvantages: Need more attractions

The Aquarium, located just outside Heraklion, is approximately 15 minutes travel and known as Thalassokosmos. It is located on the beach area down from the previous American air base in Gournes, which now is just a shell of buildings after their departure. It houses approximately 200 species of organisms in 37 tanks, with observation points and seating areas, together with a auditorium for films. Pricing at the time of writing for 2 adults and one ...
...low light area of the displays, the fish are visible clearly in varying sizes of tanks. Each tank has written information which is easily read by using push button computer screenswritten in English, Greek, French and German. Here specialised knowledge is given about the various organisms on display, that can house crabs, lobsters, sea turtles, stingray and local fish plus a large tank with baby sharks, which come close enough so you can see their ...

Phweeter 24.11.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Cretaquarium, Gouves

Teenage Mutant Cretan Turtles, Girorgiopolis, Crete

Advantages: See terrapins in the wild, get your excercise peddaling, enjoy peace and quiet up a river
Disadvantages: Not cheap, not any good if you are not fairly fit

...terrapins by going up the Almiros river estuary in Giorgiopolis. I think they may be a Balkan terrapin or Mauremys rivulata rather than the sea turtles or Loggerhead Turtles that lay their eggs on the beaches of Crete and are the ones being protected by a number of charities today. Our small grandsons are very interested in wild life and so this was absolutely perfect as Giorgiolpolis was only a few miles down the coast from Gerani where we were ...
...time during the day but we felt that we would like to go early before the sun got too hot so we arrived at Giorgiopolis at about 10 o’ clock when the pedalo place opened. We found a place to park the car near the beach and walked back through the town and across the bridge and down towards the river mouth. There was a lovely large pelican who posed proudly on a fishing boat just under the bridge. The boys were very interested in his beak and discussed ...

catsholiday 14.10.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Almiros River Estuary, Georgioupoli

A Lake with a myth - Lake Kournas, Crete

Advantages: Beautiful clear freshwater lake, need a car to get there
Disadvantages: expensive sun loungers and large slippery stones to negotiate before being able to swimg

...from Gerani near Rethmynon to Lake Kournas in about 15 minutes, it is just off the main highway near Georgiopilis on Crete. The road meanders around and then you come to a tiny signpost pointing down between two house only just wide enough for a car to squeeze through. We turned in thinking that this must be a mistake, but it was indeed the road. No wonder all cars on Crete seem to have some scrape or other on their body work. I am pretty certain ...
...This ilarge beautiful fresh water lake is surrounded by mountains or hills and gets its name from a derivation of the Arabic word for lake . We were told it was the only freshwater lake on Crete but on some websites they state that there are two freshwater lakes so I don’t know. The lake reaches a depth of 25metres and covers an area of about 160,000 square metres There is a 360° photo view which does give an excellent idea of the lake and its setting: ...

catsholiday 31.08.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Lake Kournas, Crete

GOOD MEN ARE ALWAYS FOUND

Advantages: Lessons in History are always rewarding
Disadvantages: none

My wife and I visited Spinalonga two years ago when we were staying in a lovely resort on the South Coast of Crete Makriyialos highly recommended resort but that is another story. We arrived at Elounda by Coach to board a small boat for the Trip to Spinalonga which we had been told about by my Brother who had visited a few years previous. The island looms into sight, It was immediately obvious that some restoration work had been made since my brothers ...
...the boat landing. Spinalonga was used as a Leaper Colony for many many years but not anymore. At first the suffers were sent to the Island under the impression that they would be able to return, this was quickly dispelled on their arrival when they found out from the other inhabitants that it was a one way trip. In the early years life to death was Hell, they had no income , the conditions attrocious. Then the Greek Government agreed to pay them ...

poshtroika 04.08.2007 · Read full review
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Review of Spinalonga (Kalydon), Elounda, Crete

Zeus's Birthplace

Advantages: Stunning Scenery, Donkey Rides, Magnificent Geology
Disadvantages: Slippery Steps, Not good for those who dont like heights!!

The Dikteon Cave, situated on the Lasithi Plateau, is thought to be the birthplace of the Greek god Zeus. The drive into the mountains from the North is a little hair-raising, but the view from the snow capped peaks is well worth traversing the numerous hairpin bends and steep climbs (although I am reliably informed that it is great fun to drive!!). When you arrive on the plateau, you are greeted by the sight of huge olive groves accompanied by ...
...are several villages within the area that contain small cafe-restaurants which are more than adequate for a quick lunch. Arriving in the car park below the cave, you are immediately stuck by the steep climb you must enjoy (or endure!!) in order to actually see the attraction. There are two options available to get up to the top of the hill...Travelling by foot, or by donkey! As it turned out, there was a fairly steep walk along a path that was full ...

savoycabbage 12.02.2007 · Read full review
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Review of Dikteon Cave, Crete