Crete, the largest island in Greece, is at the heart of the Mediterranean Sea and is bounded by four seas : the Aegean, Crete, Libya and the Ionian.This island, which even in today's day offers a sense, which sometimes lacks in life : friendship, beauty, the richness of nature and the new charger forces rest.Êðèò - îñòðîâ ñ ðàçâèòîé èíôðàñòðêòóðîé, èìåþùèé âñå íåîáõîäèìîå äëÿ ïðåâîñõîäíîãî îòäûõà.Cretan coast scratched with many bays and coves, sandy beaches and buries calm green sea.

Most popular with tourists north coast of the island, where the capital city of Iraklion, Crete, as it divides the island into two parts : the western and eastern.Â âîñòî÷íîé ÷àñòè îñòðîâà ðàñïîëîæåíû òàêèå ìîðñêèå êóðîðòû êàê Àììóäàðà, Ñèññè Õåðñîíèññîñ è Àíèññèðàñ, íà áåðåãó çàëèâà Ìèðàáåëëî - åùå äâà çíàìåíèòûõ íà âåñü ìèð êóðîðòà Ýëóíäà è Àãèîñ Íèêîëàñ. À íà çàïàäíîì ïîáåðåæüå Êðèòà íàõîäèòñÿ óäèâèòåëüíûé ãîðîä Ðåòèìíî, òàêæå ïðåäñòàâëåííûé â íàøåì êàòàëîãå.The western part of the island maintained its local flavour and charm wilderness area.Here is a unique sanctuary Greece-Samaria Gorge, which got their name from an ancient Byzantine church of St. Mary, once built here.

As a result of its advantageous location of the island became a point of convergence and interaction of many ancient civilizations.As the cradle of ancient Minoan civilization of Crete kind of ancient myths and legends, famous for its archaeological and natural äîñòîïðèìå÷àòåëüíîñòÿìè.It is a place where Zeus was born and where his son, King Minos established its powerful empire.Here lived and do great Daedalus, constructed on the orders of Minosa Palace with a lot of complicated moves, in which the brave Theseus killed Minotavra, monster, Alamatta Athens girls and boys.Here was born the great medieval painter El Greco.Îñíîâíûå àðõåîëîãè÷åñêèå äîñòîïðèìå÷àòåëüíîñòè Êðèòà - ýòî Êíîññîñ (Êíîññ)- ìèíîéñêèé äâîðåö, ðàçâàëèíû ñòîëèöû ìèíîéñêîãî ãîñóäàðñòâà, Ôåñòîñ (Ôåñò)- âòîðîé ïî âåëè÷èíå ìèíîéñêèé äâîðåö, Àìíèññîñ - ìèíîéñêèé ãîðîä, Ãîðòèíà - äðåâíåðèìñêèé ãîðîä, Ãóðíÿ - îäíî èç íàèáîëåå ïðèìå÷àòåëüíûõ àðõåîëîãè÷åñêèõ ìåñò è õîðîøî ñîõðàíèâøèõñÿ ìèíîéñêèõ ïîñåëåíèé.

Crete still living a simple life, in the mountainous regions covered medicinal herb and succulent shrubs or at the bottom of a valley covered by vineyards and lush citrus groves surrounding villages or small towns.

The fertile land of Crete generously gives people fruit.Here you can enjoy the excellent grapes, raisins and wine out of the excellent olive, citrus, fruits and vegetables in a large abundance, scented Thyme honey, a variety of cheeses.Cretan cuisine offers meat dishes and the dishes selected from fresh fish, squid, octopus, lobster, sauce and other sea food, the highest quality and unique taste.

Territory

Crete, the largest Greek island, is the southernmost point in Europe and is at the crossroads of three continents : Europe, Africa and Asia.The total land area is 8,336 sq km, the length of the coastline 1,046-km length from west to east and 260 km from north to south-60 km, and in the Gulf of Mirabello, the smallest of the long island is 12 km.North peschano-galechnye endless beaches lapped by the calm waters of Crete Aegean Sea in the south proud rocky shore and striking natural beauty of the Bay says in cool wave Libyan Sea.

Climate

Crete is famous for very mild, dry subtropical climate and the unique ecology.Swimming season begins in mid-May and ends in late October.April and May is a dream time for nature lovers.Spring Crit like wakes, Amman your excellency and violence of paint, carpet headings of Poppies, romashek and even wild orchids.The hot months of July and August.Íî äàæå â ýòî âðåìÿ áëèçîñòü ìîðÿ, ñóõîé ñåâåðíûé âåòåð - ìåëüòåìè, ïðèíîñÿùèé ñ ñîáîé ïðîõëàäó è ìèíèìàëüíûé óðîâåíü âëàæíîñòè, ïîçâîëÿþò ðåêîìåíäîâàòü Êðèò äëÿ îòäûõà äàæå òåì, êòî ñêëîíåí ê çàáîëåâàíèÿì äûõàòåëüíûõ ïóòåé, àñòìå.Peak season is in September and October.The heat is abating, and swimming season is at its peak.From April to November weather for the most part innocent, and the short rains are rare, and in July and August do not have them at all.

Time

Behind from Moscow at 1:00.

National Features

Living in such a fertile country like Greece, quiet and deliberate.Greeks or where no hurry.Yes, that the restaurant had to wait for your order, and even more expense.Nevertheless, the Greeks have their promises, especially when it comes to business.The truth may be some delay in the timetable.The Greek State provides a high level of social protection for citizens, but-strict fiscal policy.The Orthodox Church merged with the State, and Christianity is the dominant religion.The major holidays are Christmas and Easter.

Money

Euro (EURO), 1 EURO = 100 EURO cent.The circulation banknotes denominated in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros, and coins denominated in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents.You can exchange currency at banks, foreign exchange bureaux and at the hotel.Banks are open Monday to Thursday from 8:00 to 14:30, Friday from 8:00 to 14:00.Available currencies can be exchanged in banks or money changers.Banks are open on weekdays from Monday to Thursday from 8.00 to 14.00 and on Friday from 8.00 am to 13.30.On weekends and national holidays, banks are closed.

Mail and phone

Call in Russia or any other country from Greece, you can directly from the hotel.But cheaper to buy a phone card and call from the phone machine.All telephone calls paid.To call in Russia dialling 007 (country code), then area code and phone number.For example, a call to Moscow : 007-095 - phone number.The call from Russia to Greece will get 8 to 10 (access to the international operator), 30 (country code), area code (210-for Athens) and the number.

Police : 100
Ambulance : 166

Shopping, gifts, souvenirs

The clothing and footwear stores, you will find a wide range of local goods and the world-renowned brands.It should also be noted that in September-October, January-February and April-May sales go.Yet, traditional handicrafts are still the best Greek souvenirs.Made by hand magnificent gold and silver jewelry, items from the olive tree, and the skin will remind you of the time spent at home Zeus.Crete long history inexpensive but diverse in form decorative ceramics, as well as icons.Greece can not be without a huge selection of Greek wines, olives and olive oil.Young class wines-cheap, but good quality.Speaking of traditional alcoholic beverages, it is impossible not to mention the Greek Me-taksa "cognac", rakya and anisic vodka "starter".

Kitchen

Features of Crete kitchen is the "taste" and "useful".In Greece, countless restaurants (including international cuisine) for every taste, but now you can enjoy the Greek cuisine in Little swollen at first glance tavern frequented by locals.While preparing dishes Greeks do not use frozen products and animal fats, is not popular and such a product such as salt, usually replaceable salty cheese "Feta" or olives.But olive oil is used everywhere and in large quantities.We encourage you to try traditional Greek dishes such as : Greek salad (Horiatiki Salata) - tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, herbs, capers, "Feta" cheese, seasoned with olive oil and wine vinegar; Suvlakya (Souvlaki) secured by coal pieces of pork, seasoned with lemon, herbs and olive oil with kartofelem-fri; Musuka (Moussaka) - packed layers of roasted aubergines, sliced potatoes, ground meat with spices, cheese and musk beshamel sauce, tszadziki (Tsadziki) - butter mixture of yoghurt, finely grated ecological, garlic and mint; soaked (Lukumades) well prozharennye doughnuts soaked in honey syrup and cinnamon pebble.Marine food provided diversity of fish, sea urchins, squid sauce, lobster, shrimp and snails.

Transportation

Air and ferry link with the other islands.Bus services in Crete well developed and is not expensive.There are stops both scheduled and on-demand service.Near every large hotel you easily find the bus stop and schedule routes.Minor inconveniences can only travel.Taxis are fairly common and inexpensive mode of transport in Crete.The cities are the taxi, at the resorts you easily "foundation" taxis on the streets.While at the hotel, call taxi easier way to the hotel reception.Particularly restless and curious Board to take the car lease, the more so should not be difficult and will present exciting feeling.Rental car in Crete is not a credit card.All known in the world of rental car offices are represented and Crete, and many smaller firms willing to provide the same services.In this case, you need to avoid trouble as carefully design and verification of insurance (it may be incomplete!) .Most simplify all aspects of the rental car appeal to guide the host company.It should also be noted that the lease could take the motorcycle, motor (especially convenient for those who do not have the right) and a bicycle.

Tipping

In restaurants and taverns decided to leave tips, which, depending on how you like the service and food.This usually from 1 ˆ in cafes and 10% in expensive restaurants.

Visa

Required documents : a questionnaire filled out and signed by himself (passport in Roman script), photographs, copies of the salary, which shows photo of the owner, a statement of income and occupation, Help from the bank of the currency (original and copy) at the rate of $ 50 for one day or a completed application form responsible for minors who are traveling with one parent must submit a power of attorney from the other parent notarized (original and copy), and a picture of the child.In case of doubt of visas has the right to request additional documents and the presence of the person concerned.

Customs regulations

The main issue is to fill in the customs declaration.In principle, they can not fill, but if you carry a large sum of money or are going to the country of small financial transactions (such as placing currency in the bank or pay contracts), it's best to fill it.You can bring in duty free cigarettes 1 block, 1 litre of spirits, gifts worth about $ 250.To enter the country must have a currency at the rate of $ 50 per person per day.The money can be verified by the Greek customs.Cash be optional.You can use the card or traveller's cheques.

The embassy of Russia

Consulate of Russia in Iraklion : (30 2810) 280787

Tips

Do not enter monasteries in shorts or mini-skirts; Out of the restaurant without leaving a tip. Renounce performing in village homes.Although the Greeks like to criticize their country, they would not tolerate even a twist on the subject of foreigners.

City Crete, Crete resorts, attractions Crete on the map of Crete