If you are still thinking where to go in Europe in the summer or winter, stop your eyes on Crete. A multitude of natural, architectural and historical monuments in its settlements is beyond imagination.

Heraklion is for good reason called the Cretan Gate because this city as first welcomes visitors to the Greek island. This major economic and cultural center and we, the New Crete company, have what to show for tourists. The history of the city is quite unusual and rich. Even the name it has gained after the ancient Greek epic hero Heracles. The first written mention of it can be found in the works of the famous Strabo (in 64/63 BC. The Greek historian and geographer, author of the “Geography” in 17 books, which are preserved almost completely, being the best source for the study of ancient world’s geography). The city was ruled by Arabs, Byzantines, Genoeses, Venetians, Turks, and in the XX century, it became part of Greece. Heraklion is an agglomeration over 230.000 inhabitants.

Chania is the second major town of Crete. Venetians bought the town for 1000 pieces of silver in 1252 and managed to turn it into a thriving commercial center. Here it was located the residence of the head of the island. Art and writing developed rapidly, many churches were built. Ottoman rule added a lot of Muslim monuments. Chania is an agglomeration over 110.000 inhabitants.

Rethymno city area was inhabited even in the era of the Minoan civilization but the flowering of Rethymno came with the arrival here of Venetians. The city still preserves the charm of the XVI century because there are plenty of age-old buildings with stone staircases and arches. Narrow streets, paved with stone, also preserved its original appearance in the old part of the city. Every year the carnival takes place in Rethymno. It was first held in 1915. Rethymno is an agglomeration over 55.000 inhabitants.

Agios Nikolaos was built by Venetians in the XIII century on the coast of  the Mirabello Bay and they decided to name it after a honored saint – Nicholas. However, only in 1870 the city of Agios Nikolaos was able to become a true administrative center. The town is a truly unique one. First of all because of its landscape, consisting of continuous descents and ascents. It has a population of 20.000.

Another old Venetian towns are Ierapetra and Sitia.

The New Crete Company, July 2016