Greece's largest island, from Minoan palaces to gorges
Crete is big enough to feel like its own country, with high mountains, long coastlines and a strong local identity. Knossos, near Heraklion, was the centre of Europe's first great civilisation, the Minoans. Chania's Venetian harbour is the island's most charming town, while the Samaria Gorge offers a classic full-day hike to the Libyan Sea. The beaches of Balos and Elafonisi are famous for shallow turquoise lagoons, and Cretan food, with its olive oil and wild greens, is outstanding.