Crete Captured
Crete Captured 2025
A Memorable Holiday in Crete
Crete is a luscious land of over a million Olive trees, small fishing villages, mountainous terrain, and bustling commercial towns. The largest and most populous of the Greek islands, it is the eighty eighth largest island in the world and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.
It is also rich in culture.
So, we headed off, last Saturday night, to a little mountain village for a spectacular entertainment extravaganza. It was a unique Cretan night show providing an unforgettable experience blending traditional Greek hospitality with musical entertainment to create an evening filled with melody, dance, and the rich flavours of Crete.
Indulging our taste buds with an array of delectable dishes, the Greek Night Show was not just an event; it was a cultural journey that allowed us to embrace the spirit of Crete. With its lively entertainment, delicious cuisine, and immersive experiences, the show created lasting memories leaving us with a deep appreciation for the rich tapestry of Cretan culture.
Spinalonga
Spinalonga is a fascinating island which became a leper colony from 1904 to 1957. It was one of the last active leper colonies in Europe. While historically a devastating condition, modern treatments now exist. Isolation of patients has not been medically necessary since the 1940s, but in many developed countries continued until the eighties.
It was considered a place of isolation for the infected and not intended for treatment. Conditions on the island were squalid and there were several instances of unrest. There was little sense of community until the 1930s with the lepers in a state of grim survivalism focused on food, gambling and alcohol. And there was some difficulty finding volunteers to bury the dead. Many attempted escape or suicide and they generally lived alone in their own homes relying on the collection of rainwater and shipments of water and food from the mainland. The inhabitants practiced folk medicine to alleviate their symptoms as there was no hospital or medical support.
Agios Nikolaos
Agios Nikolaos, meaning Saint Nicholas, is a tourist town that serves as a hub to the twenty or so small villages and farms that make up this part of Lassithi. Tourist attractions include a small lagoon, tidy beaches, an archaeological museum, a local flora exhibition and numerous fairs.
Malia,Stalis,Heraklion,
Santorini
Malia has recently evolved into a prominent holiday destination boasting a bustling resort characterized by shops, hotels, bars, and restaurants as the town’s economy thrives by catering to the needs of tourists.
Stalis village became our favourite nighttime destination especially the raucous Robin Hood Bar. Congratulations to the Four Maid Marions namely Cathy, Trish, Susan and Sue on winning the quiz night competition against Jaye, Alan, Ruth, and Stephen also known as the Jars!
Heraklion also known as Iraklio is the regional capital city. It is not an aesthetically pleasing town but well worth visiting to explore narrow lanes, Orthodox churches, and a busy harbour.
Santorini was a particular favourite of Stephen and Ruth who skipped their cooked breakfast to visit this most picturesque of all the Greek islands.
One of the most beautiful sites on earth, Santorini frames the world’s largest submerged volcanic caldera.
Join us for our next holiday
After our great time in Crete, we are back well refeshed and looking forward to planning a new holiday for our members in 2026. We will chat to our members and ask where they think would be an ideal spot for a great holiday in the new year thats ahead of us. Then we will release the details and give more information at our reguar meets. Keep in mind that all holidays will need a deposit to secure your place to whatever destination we choose in 2026. It’s also important that you always remember to have the correct holiday insurance as it is part of our terms and conditions that you do. If you have any pre exsisting conditions make sure your policy covers those also.
