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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.

Museum-of-El-Greco-720x480.jpg
 
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

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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.

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
 

Understanding Tradition of Raki on Crete

I’ve been hearing a lot about raki in Crete, and a friend of mine recently warned me that it’s kind of a big deal there. She told me she made the mistake of treating it like regular shotsa nd ended up getting pretty sick.

What she noticed afterward was that the locals weren’t drinking it that way at all. It seemed much more relaxed and tied to the meal or conversation, not something you rush through.

Now I’m curious what the actual tradition or etiquette is around raki. Is it always offered after a meal? Do you sip it slowly? Are there certain situations where it’s expected to accept (or not)?

I’d love to understand the cultural side of it before I go, so I don’t accidentally overdo it or miss the point entirely like my friend did!

Is Crete a good destination for a winter getaway?

I’m starting to plan a winter getaway and keep coming back to the idea of Crete. I’ve visited Greece in summer, but I’ve never experienced it in winter — and I’m wondering if Crete is actually a good choice for that time of year, maybe even for Christmas.

I know it’s the southernmost island, so the weather should be milder, but I’m curious what it feels like day to day. Are cafés and tavernas still open? Do locals gather in the squares, or does everything quiet down? I’ve heard Chania and Heraklion stay lively year-round, but I’m not sure about the smaller towns, possibly to even stay through Christmas. What do you think?

Best "Home Base" on Crete?

I’m in the early planning stages for a trip to Crete and could really use some perspective from people who know the island well. I’m thinking of spending about two weeks there and trying to decide whether it makes sense to choose one central “home base” or to divide my time between a few different locations.

Crete seems so large and varied that part of me wonders if staying in one place would mean a lot of long drives, while another part likes the idea of settling in, getting to know one area well, and not constantly packing up. I’m especially curious about places that work well as a base for day trips—somewhere with good food, easy access to beaches or hikes, and a town atmosphere rather than just resorts.

If you’ve done a longer stay on Crete, how did you structure it? Did you stay put or move around, and would you do the same again?

Tips for driving in Crete?

I might be going to Crete in July, and I’m seriously thinking about renting a car because the island seems much bigger than I originally realized. Part of me loves the idea of being able to explore smaller villages, beaches, and mountain areas on my own schedule, but I’ve also heard mixed things about driving there.

For people who have done it, how difficult is driving in Crete really? I’ve heard the roads can get narrow and winding, especially in the mountains. Is parking difficult in places like Chania or Rethymno during the summer?

Also curious if renting a car ended up being worth it compared to relying on buses or tours. I don’t mind driving, but I also don’t want to spend the trip stressed out behind the wheel. Any advice, tips, or things you wish you knew beforehand would really help!

Information About Balos Lagoon?

I'm hoping to visit Crete again in the near future, and one place that keeps coming up in my research is Balos Lagoon. I've never been. The photos look absolutely incredible, but I'd love to hear from people who have actually been there rather than just reading travel guides.

Is Balos Lagoon really as beautiful as everyone says? What's the best way to get there—by boat or by driving and hiking down? If you drove, was the road difficult or manageable with a rental car? I'm also wondering what time of day is best to visit to avoid the biggest crowds.

Any tips on what to bring, how much time to plan for, or things you wish you had known before your visit would be greatly appreciated. I'd love to hear your experiences before I finalize my itinerary!
Share and discuss your Crete photos, questions and experiences!

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