| Crete also has a well developed affinity with | | | | Psiloritis or Mount Ida as some call it, but all |
| sporting pursuits and not just those you would | | | | involve a five to ten hour journey up and back |
| typically find in holiday resorts by the sea, like | | | | down again. One alternative is to spend the night |
| surfing, sailing or diving. Inland, Crete has some | | | | up on the mountain, as many do surprisingly. |
| wonderful countryside, making cycling excursions | | | | There are several shelters that have been used |
| either on the roads or off-road by mountain bike | | | | by generations to afford some protection from |
| very enjoyable. | | | | the elements. In fact these are just cuttings in |
| Taking to the water by sea kayak is becoming | | | | the ground to protect you from any winds. |
| increasingly popular. Many of Crete's beautiful | | | | Temperatures drop quickly at night so you'll need |
| coastal bays are not accessible by land, leaving | | | | a sleeping bag that can keep you warm as the |
| access by water the only choice. Yachts and day | | | | temperatures can drop to freezing at night. |
| cruisers are one option, but arriving under your | | | | Another walking option in Crete, that makes a |
| own power by sea kayak is now an alternative | | | | great choice in Spring, Summer or Autumn is the |
| choice. Of course you'll need to be fairly fit to | | | | Butterfly Gorge, also known by its proper name |
| power one of these boats, especially in the heat | | | | Koutsouras Gorge. If you go there during Spring |
| of a typical Cretan day, but once you arrive at | | | | you may be lucky to see the butterflies referred |
| some of the coves and inlets in places around the | | | | to in its name, but a serious woodland fire a few |
| Samaria Gorge or Paleochora you will be well | | | | years back has dented their prevalence. This |
| rewarded. | | | | gorge is in the far southwest corner of the island, |
| Hiking is also another way of enjoying Crete's | | | | as opposed to the more famous Samaria Gorge |
| varied landscape. Well-trodden routes like the day | | | | which in the east. From the coast near |
| walk down the Samaria Gorge are documented | | | | Koutsouras you'll head North West for short walk |
| by most travel guides and the route becomes | | | | of just a few kilometers, but one that can take |
| very popular in the busy periods. But Crete is a | | | | up to four hours at a steady pace. If the waters |
| pleasant place to spend a break outside of the | | | | are flowing you may be lucky enough to witness |
| main holiday periods, so plan your trip well and see | | | | waterfalls just before you reach the pretty village |
| this amazing gorge at its best during one of the | | | | of Oreino, where a small café will be the |
| quieter months. | | | | perfect reward before you take the walk back |
| Another surprising aspect of Crete is its mountain | | | | south again. |
| area, with its highpoint being Mt Psiloritis at over | | | | Hiking is just one way of getting out and about in |
| 8000 feet in altitude. Not sure how high that is? | | | | Crete. Others may prefer snorkeling or diving in |
| Well in Britain the highest peak is Ben Nevis at a | | | | the coastal waters or sailing a boat from cove to |
| mere 4,409 feet. So you get almost twice as | | | | cove. Those in search of more of an adrenalin |
| high in Crete, well if you are sufficiently skilled and | | | | rush could tackle some of Crete's marked climbing |
| well prepared you can. Go once the summer has | | | | routes, probably best done with the help of a local |
| raised temperatures and most of the snow will | | | | guide or climbing school. |
| have melted and the daytime temperatures can | | | | Crete has the usual holiday ingredients of fine |
| be a hot 30 degrees Celsius. You may not need | | | | beaches, hot weather and top quality hotels and |
| mountaineering skills to get to the top but you'll | | | | villas, but, for extra enjoyment, its outdoor |
| need some reasonable levels of fitness in order to | | | | pursuit offerings are rarely matched, especially in |
| walk that high in such temperatures. | | | | the Greek Islands. |
| There are various ways to get to the top of Mt | | | | |