CRETE

EMBARKATION: ATHENS
DISEMBARKATION: HANIA

ITINERARY

DAY 1 Athens-Hydra (38 miles)
DAY 2 Hydra-Spetses (17 miles)
DAY 3 Spetes-Kyparissi-Gerakas (28 miles)
DAY 4 Gerakas-Monemvasia (9 miles)
DAY 5 Monemvasia-Maleas-Kithira (29 miles)
DAY 6 Kithira
DAY 7 Kithira-Andikithira (30 miles)
DAY 8 Andikithira-Hania (41 miles)

HYDRA is mountainous, arid, and devoid of vegetation. In 1821 it was the first island to pledge its sizeable fleet to the Greek cause. It has been said that but for the Hydroit fleet and sailors, the War of Independence against the Turks would not have been won. Hydra is a fashionable resort for the rich and famous. The town remains architecturally very much of the 18th and 19th centuries with large stately houses built around the natural amphitheater above the harbor. The total lack of vehicles adds to the atmosphere.

SPETSES is mostly covered by pine trees. The attractive town is popular with tourists and Athenians alike. The old harbor and environs with many grand old houses is a wonderful place to wander around. The local yards build the Spetses caique which is considered to be among the best in Greece. John Fowles' novel "The Mangus" is set on the island. In September a small caique rigged out as an old trader is set on fire to commemorate the revolt against the Turks. This is accompanied by a noisy fireworks display and much merriment.

KYPARISSI is a large bay along the coast of the Eastern Peloponnese. The village itself is quite unspoiled and the bay surrounded by mountains, a spectacular spot.

GERAKAS is a small hamlet surrounded by the hostile mountains of the Parnon, hardly touched by outside influences. The entrance is almost invisible, hidden between the high cliffs. On the summit of the entrance is an extensive ruined acropolis, probably of Mycenaen origin. In the hot afternoon sun, out of the cooling touch of the meltemi, the whole hamlet snoozes until the cool of evening when things come to life again.

MONEMVASIA island was called Minoa in ancient times suggesting a Cretan influence. The humpbacked island, likened to a little Gibraltar, is connected to the Peolponnese by a causeway. The old fortified village is of Byzantine origin although the Venetians rebuilt much of it. There are a number of interesting churches in the village, but to get to the best of them, Alia Sofia, you have to climb up the zig-zag path behind the village to the summit. The fortified path and tunnel into the fort, with its iron gates still intact, is as impressive as the fortification at the top.

KITHIRA and ANDIKITHIRA form an island bridge between the Peloponnese and Crete. The islands have played an important part as stepping-stones on the ancient trade routes. On Kithira, a small village - a Minoan trading post - has been excavated. The ancient goddess Aphrodite was born here. This quiet island remains a comparatively untouched spot. Andikithire, a pitted rocky island rising sheer from the sea, is inhabited by a few hardy souls. Early this century, a wreck of the 1st century B.C. was discovered near the island and a number of valuable bronze and marble statues that were recovered are now displayed in the National Museum of Athens.

HANIA was for centuries the capital of Crete and was only recently demoted in favor of Iraklion. The Venetian city around the harbor is a fascinating place - cobbled streets, imposing Venetian houses, mosques and minarets, and the market. The lighthouse on the mole is of Venetian-Turkish origin. The city exists with modern additions and a bustling, busy life to it.

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