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greggd12

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This is a must visit place in Crete! El Greco was a highly influential artist of the Spanish Renaissance. You can visit the Museum of El Greco which is located in the village of Fodele here you will find replicas of El Greco’s major works as well as related documents.

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I've never heard of El Grecos work! THanks for sharing I'm checking out his work now and it looks so cool. I didn't know there were so many Italians in Greece
 
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He's actually from Spain! Here is more about the artist https://www.wikiart.org/en/el-greco
He's actually from Spain! Here is more about the artist https://www.wikiart.org/en/el-greco
This is a must visit place in Crete! El Greco was a highly influential artist of the Spanish Renaissance. You can visit the Museum of El Greco which is located in the village of Fodele here you will find replicas of El Greco’s major works as well as related documents.

View attachment 420
My wife and I visited
He's actually from Spain! Here is more about the artist https://www.wikiart.org/en/el-greco
My wife and I visited his birthplace in Crete. He was born in that village in Crete but at the time it was part of Venice. He later went to Italy to pursue his art. Do a search the Wikipedia article.
 
This is a must visit place in Crete! El Greco was a highly influential artist of the Spanish Renaissance. You can visit the Museum of El Greco which is located in the village of Fodele here you will find replicas of El Greco’s major works as well as related documents.

View attachment 420
When we were in Crete, the driver we hired brought us to this hidden gem. I'm attaching some of the photos I took. The Museum which is the house where El Greco is born is on a hill overlooking the church he must have attended?IMG_1667.jpg

IMG_1665.jpgIMG_1664.jpeg
This is a must visit place in Crete! El Greco was a highly influential artist of the Spanish Renaissance. You can visit the Museum of El Greco which is located in the village of Fodele here you will find replicas of El Greco’s major works as well as related documents.

View attachment 420

This is a must visit place in Crete! El Greco was a highly influential artist of the Spanish Renaissance. You can visit the Museum of El Greco which is located in the village of Fodele here you will find replicas of El Greco’s major works as well as related documents.

View attachment 420
 
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He was born in Crete and he actually got his start as an icon painter in Greece. He moved to Italy to pursue his painting career, and then he eventually moved on to Spain. Most of us associated him with Spain but his background is more involved than that. There are some excellent photos in this thread of his birthplace!
 
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Of all the times I have gone to Crete, I only managed to visit this gem once. It was a truly memorable experience, though. There's so much to see!
 
Of all the times I have gone to Crete, I only managed to visit this gem once. It was a truly memorable experience, though. There's so much to see!
How did you find out about it? Is it very popular to visit?
 
How did you find out about it? Is it very popular to visit?
We hired a taxi driver for the day to show us around and this is one of the sites he brought us to. Taxi drivers will often let you negotiate a rate for the day, and they take you around to some of their favorite places.
 
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We hired a taxi driver for the day to show us around and this is one of the sites he brought us to. Taxi drivers will often let you negotiate a rate for the day, and they take you around to some of their favorite places.
I would recommend that you call a few taxi companies and negotiate some rates in advance, much easier that way than figuring stuff out on the fly
 
I would recommend that you call a few taxi companies and negotiate some rates in advance, much easier that way than figuring stuff out on the fly
That's great advice! I have never done it that way, but only because it's never been necessary.
 
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That's great advice! I have never done it that way, but only because it's never been necessary.
That's good to hear!! I tend to be a last minute person, especially on vacation
 

Hiking advice for Crete?

I want to hike while I am on Crete but I need advice. I have never hiked in Greece before. Any advice is appreciated! Some things on my mind:

  • Best Trails: I was thinking Samaria gorge and maybe one other during my stay. Ay advice?
  • Preparation Tips: What should I pack or prepare for these hikes? Considering the terrain and weather conditions, are there specific items (beyond the basic hiking gear) that are must-haves for Crete? What kinds of shows? How much water?
  • Local Guides or Groups: Do you recommend hiking with a local guide or joining a group for certain trails? If so, how can I find reputable guides or groups
Thanks in advance!

How long to spend on Crete?

I am going to Crete in the summer. How long should I spend? I have maybe two months in Greece. We don't get to Crete often - we also don't have anyone to visit. Here are some of my thoughts:

Finding a home base - Crete has so many wonderful towns and cities that can serve as your base for exploring the island. How do I do that? Any advice? I am thinking of either the Chania area or Heraklion - but maybe I should spend half the time in one place and half in another?

Historical sites - History is a passion so Crete seems the perfect place. With so many historical sites to see on the island, including museums and ancient ruins, it has made me feel like I need at least a few weeks on the island. I want to visit Knossos Palace at the very least, which means that Heraklion will be necessary.

Beaches - I also love beaches so this is a must. Some of the beaches near Chania look to be some of my best bets, but I am sure I can find beaches anywhere.

Samaria Gorge - I want to hike down through the Gorge. From what I understand, it is easier to access this from Chania?

I appreciate your thoughts!

Taking a foodie tour of Crete

I am interested in learning more about the food of Crete. Yes, I know I can go there and eat. But - I want to take things to the next level.

Do you know of a good tour or a good itinerary? I put together a bit of an itinerary in case I decide to do this myself. My preference is to take a good tour, though.

Chania Old Harbor: Thinking to get fresh seafood here - either at a market or in a restaurant. I recall that there's a lot of fresh seafood.

Heraklion Market: Wander through Heraklion's bustling market streets, where stalls overflow with local olive oils, cheeses, and herbs.

Culinary Classes: I am hoping to find a class to take!

Agreco Farms: Visiting this organic farm was a revelation in the importance of farm-to-table eating. This place looks so fun.

Wineries: There's a bunch. I want to track down at least a few during my stay.

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Favorite Museums on the Island of Crete

I love Crete - the history in particular fascinates me. I thought I'd share my favorite museums to visit. I am not usually a museum person, but these are interesting to me.

Heraklion Archaeological Museum

If you want to delve deep into Crete's ancient history, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum should be your first stop. This museum houses one of the most impressive collections of Minoan artifacts in the world, including pottery, jewelry, frescoes, and statues. I love learning about the Minoans!

Nikos Kazantzakis Museum

The Nikos Kazantzakis Museum is dedicated to the life and works of the famous Cretan writer and philosopher Nikos Kazantzakis. The museum is located in the village of Myrtia, where Kazantzakis was born and raised. This one is a quick one to go through, but is super interesting.

Historical Museum of Crete

The Historical Museum of Crete in Heraklion offers a comprehensive view of the island's history and culture from the early Christian era to the present day. The museum has exhibits on ancient and medieval Crete, the Cretan Renaissance, and the island's role in the Greek Revolution. The history of this island is pretty rich!

Best Beaches with Services on Crete

It's tough for my family to visit beaches that don't have services - like a restaurant, bathrooms, because we are traveling with multiple generations and usually spend the whole day.

Do the following beaches have services? I will be going with my family end of June next year:

- Elafonissi
- Balos
- Matala
- Stalis

I am having a hard time visualizing based on descriptions I am finding online.
Share and discuss your Crete photos, questions and experiences!

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