Crete is the largest and southern-most island in Greece. It's location guarantees a Mediterranean climate, one of the mildest in Europe. Nearly a third of the land is under cultivation producing citrus fruit, grapes for wine, chestnuts, cherries, almonds, vegetables and nearly half of Greece's total olive oil.Crete is largely mountains and is surrounded by the Cretan, Ionian and Lybian Seas. The mountains on the south shore create a dramatic backdrop, and the water around some of the sheer coasts exceeds a depth of 3,000 metres.
The contrasts co-exist well on the island. Even in the larger base towns, tranquil and remote regions are not very far away. On the north shore, major urban centres such as Iraklio, Rethymno, and Hania are within easy reach of town beaches, but a short distance out will get you into varied stunny scenery, and tranquility.Hania and Rethymno are captivating in their own right. Stay in the old town city centres on the harbour and stroll through Venetian streets where mansions have been turned into elegant hotels and restaurants.
The Ionoian Islands are an island group located in the Ionian and Mediterreanan Seas west of the Greek mainland and make up one of the six major geographical regions of Greece. They stretch south from the Albanian coast to the southern tip of the Peloponnese, and are often called Heptanesos ("Seven Islands"). The best known island is Corfu. Corfu today charms the tourist with two historic forts, narrow streets, tall houses, arcades, a Venetian-built Town Hall, the Saint Spyridon church (dedicated to the island's patron saint), flower-filled gardens, and balconies with beautiful wrought-iron fences. This small island is a kind of paradise on Earth. From Paleokastritsa to Kanoni, from the Achillion to Pontikonissi and the northern coast, the visitor finds crystal clear water, scenic coves, greenery and vegetation that falls into the deep blue sea. The islands are Corfu (Kerkira), Cephalonia (Kefallonia), Zacynthus (Zakinthos, Zante), Leucas (Levkas), Ithaca (Ithaki), Cythera (K�thira), and Paxos (Paxo�), with their minor dependencies. Each of the islands has its own destinct attractions of their own.