The unique natural lake Voulismeni is a hallmark of Agios Nikolaos, a resort town in Crete. It was around this lake with a shape of an almost perfect circle that this town was built, which is sometimes, with some exaggeration, considered a semblance of the French city of Saint Tropez. The enchanting views of Voulismeni […]

Tamarisk or almiraki called in Greek is one of the Greek summer symbols. On many beaches, vacationers sit under tamarisk trees sheltering from the scoring sun and enjoy the sound of cicadas hiding in their branches. Tamarisk is a small evergreen tree. In Greece and Crete, it usually grows in coastal areas. The plant got […]

For most people in Russia, figs are dried fruits. A happy traveler is who managed in distant wanderings at least once to pick from a branch and try this amazing delicacy, fresh figs! It is moderately sweet, delicate and refreshing, like a sea breeze… However, semi-moist and dried figs retain their useful qualities—in ancient times, […]

With all the luxuries of blooming Crete, this snow-white flower is beyond competition. It doesn’t not only surprise–you are really taken aback in front of its alien perfection. Garlands of white inflorescences on compact trees are not too noticeable at bright noon, their time is a fresh morning or quiet twilight, when the petals literally […]

March in Crete begins with perhaps the “airiest” holiday of Koulouma. After bright, noisy, plentiful treats at carnival celebrations, it is time to breathe, calm down and look at the sky in the literal sense of the word: the main ritual of the Koulouma (a picnic) is the launch of kites. Fly away, light-winged, multi-colored […]

“Where basil grows, evil does not grow”, says the proverb. Since pre-Christian times basil has been a plant of prosperity, love and family happiness. Along with other plants, it was tied in dry bouquets and stored in houses serving an apotropaic purpose. Christian tradition recalls that a basil plant was found by Empress Helena, propagator […]

Traveling on Crete in late summer and early autumn, you probably saw cactus thickets colored with red fruits. These are prickly pears: in Latin opuntia ficus-indica and in Greek φραγκόσυκο, meaning “Frank fig” The prickly pear came from Mexico, and the name of the plant derives from the ancient Greek city of Opus, through which […]

An olive tree is sacred for the Cretans, as for all Greeks. It seems that it always existed like land, sea, sky. The presence of olives on Crete back in the pre-Minoan era was confirmed by archaeologists. They are mentioned by Herodotus, Hippocrates and Homer. A provider, a doctor and a reward – the olive […]

One of the seven world wonders is the Gardens of Semiramis, admired by Herodotus and known only from descriptions, and legends. Now we can safely say that they exist: you can really enjoy this fairy tale in the magical garden of the Botanical Park of Crete! It spreads over an area of about 49,5 acres […]