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Aptera
A Roman colony built on the ruins of a Minoan site, this archaeological site is a smorgasbord of Crete’s colorful history: an ancient Greek theatre and temple, Roman baths, a Turkish castle and an Orthodox monastery. Many experts predict that...
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Chrissi Island
Also known as Gaidouronisi (Donkey Island), this uninhabited wildlife sanctuary is like a tropical illusion adrift in the Libyan Sea. Shaped from the lava of an underwater volcano, the island’s white sand beaches are fringed by fragrant cedar trees. Rolling...
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Paragliding
Crete’s rocky peaks and steep ravines are accessible to serious hikers. A more dramatic way to explore the unforgiving terrain is on a tandem flight with paragliding instructor, Yannis Katsandredakis. You don’t need any previous experience—just a sense of adventure...
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Spinalonga
The setting for Victoria’s Hislop bestselling novel, The Island, this floating Venetian fortress and archaeological site was the last leper colony in Europe. (It closed in 1957, but some of the last survivors still live in the village of Plaka.)...
Crete

Rich in archaeological sites, unspoiled beaches and dramatic landscapes, Crete entices history buffs, beach-goers and adventure seekers alike.
Destination
Type of Activity
Editors Pick
Beyond…
Consider combining your trip with one of these destinations.
- Courtesy of Grace SantoriniRead More
Santorini
Almost otherworldly in its dramatic beauty, Santorini is all about the simple pleasures of summer in Greece: sun, sand and the obligatory evening aperitif. The Aegean island is a caldera, with steep cliffs and towns dotting the upper ridge. Its...
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Bodrum
Bodrum, hailed as the “new St. Tropez” in recent years, has become a destination of two experiences: the glamorous summer months when the international haute monde descends, and the quieter Bodrum that emerges in the spring and early fall.
- Courtesy Jan TielensRead More
Athens
With roots going back to the Neolithic age, Athens in classical times was a breeding ground for ideas that shaped Western civilization. Today, the city that has been regarded as little more than a stopover destination for decades is undergoing...