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Crete is the largest of all the Greek islands, and arguably the most important and exciting. With two international airports, there are more flights to Crete each year than to any other place in Greece.

According to ancient Greek mythology, Crete was the birthplace of Zeus, the god of the sky and thunder. The island was also the home of Europe's earliest advanced civilisation, the Minoans, who brought us their own myths and legends such as the half-man half-bull Minotaur, and Icarus, who flew a tad too close to the sun.

Where myth meets history

If you want to discover the myth and history that is at the heart of Crete for yourself, then you need only visit the breathtaking ruins of the Palace of Knossos, home of King Minos. According to myth, the palace once contained a labyrinth inhabited by the fearsome Minotaur.

A history buff's dream vacation, there are many more traces of the once mighty Minoan civilization to be found on Crete, as well as historical sites linked to the Romans, Byzantines, Venetians and other one-time occupiers of the island.

A modern holiday destination

But despite the richness of history here, Crete is far from being stuck in the past. To cater for the millions of tourists the island receives every year, there is a wide range of accommodation available, from fully inclusive luxury resorts to more modest modern apartments. There's also ample opportunity for enjoying a traditional dish of kebab or freshly caught fish with a side of olives, washed down nicely with Cretan wine or the strong locally produced spirit, Raki. Be warned, Raki has a powerful kick to it and you tend to get 'dunk from the knees down'!

To get a feel for the flora and fauna of the island, there's no better place than Samaria National Park, Europe's longest gorge. There you'll find a wealth of wildlife and vegetation which was once endemic across the island, including wild 'kri-kri' goats and forests of Pine and Cypress trees. If you're lucky, you might also spot one of the island's many lizards or non-venomous snakes.

The people of Crete are understandably proud of their culture and heritage, but are very warm and welcoming to visitors (especially children), who, as you can imagine, they're used to seeing. But away from the main cities and tourist attractions you can still experience a more slow-paced and traditional way of life.

Whether you're looking for modern Greek island culture and beachside relaxation at its very best, or want to immerse yourself in a long and rich history, Crete will deliver the goods.