When you think about visiting Crete the first thing to come into your mind probably has nothing to do with visiting a botanical park. But in fact this should definitely be on your top ten list of things to do while you are on the island, because it truly is a wonder worth seeing.

The Botanical Park of Crete is not too far from Chania, and it is fairly easy to reach. Once you are there you will have a full twenty hectares to explore – which is only just short of fifty acres. It is packed with flora and fauna of all different kinds, and you will see the delights that are ready to awaken your sense around every corner.

Some people who come to the island frequently end up coming for repeat visits over the course of a year. And when this occurs they see that the park looks different on every occasion. As new plants grow and older ones develop through the seasons, you can enjoy something different with every step you take.

Back in 2004 the valley in which the Botanical Park of Crete exists was swept away by a fire. This sad event was actually the catalyst for the park itself to come into being – and you can still see memorials to that fire today when you visit the park. These come in the form of trees that were burned and then left standing as a reminder of what happened here just a few short years ago.

There is plenty more to enjoy too, such as the lake beside which you will find plenty of fruit trees growing. And with ducks, geese and perhaps even a peacock to look out for, you’ll have an active day out even without all the walking you will be doing.

And when you have tired of all the walking you will be glad to know you have a restaurant to visit to replenish your energy supplies. Simply sit down and enjoy the view around you as you enjoy the hospitality offered by the Botanical Park of Crete.

With a name like Aquaworld you will have a pretty good idea of what you will find there. Aquaworld is located in Hersonissos in Crete, and it packs plenty into a great day out for the family.

It is open from the beginning of April to the end of October, so whatever time you visit during the brighter summer months of the year you will find it open and waiting to welcome you.

The great thing about Aquaworld is that it gives you the opportunity to see lots of the marine mammals and fish that are out there in the seas around Crete itself. They won’t all be there but if you don’t like snorkelling or diving, this is the next best thing to be able to see them up close.

The scorpion fish is one such example that you really wouldn’t want to come up close to in the waters around Crete. As the name suggests it has a nasty sting on offer if you did get too close – although the sting is not in the tail on this occasion. Instead it comes from the spines which run along the length of its back. It isn’t fatal but you certainly would want to avoid it!

The dusky grouper is another fish worth looking out for, but we can’t guarantee what sex it will be when you visit. This is because it is born female and then changes into a male when she is twelve. It sounds bizarre but then this is a good description of some of the fish you will see here. They may well be very different from anything you have seen in an aquarium before.

You can also see crocodiles and even snakes at the aquarium, so if you have an aversion to them you might want to miss that section out! There is plenty to see and learn here though, so the kids will get a lot out of it.

Whenever you next head to Crete make sure you add Aquaworld to your list of things to do. You’ll love what it has to show you.

Crete is one of those destinations where you’ll find yourself in shorts and a t-shirt for most of your holiday. Even when you head away from the beach to do something else for the day, the weather will dictate a minimal amount of clothing.

But you might want to grab your swimming costume or trunks once you discover the Limnoupolis Water Park. The park is in Chania, which is over to the west of Crete on its northern coast. But while water is a key theme at the park you won’t be sampling the delights of the sea.

Instead you can look forward to tubes, slides and plenty of fun with the whole family – which is the main reason you should head to the park. It doesn’t matter what age you are, you’ll find yourself regressing to a kid as soon as you hit the water!

So what can you expect to enjoy during your day at the park? Well there is the Black Hole for starters – a long dark water slide that takes you down a hillside in the dark before splashing you down in a pool at the bottom. Do you have the nerve to try it though? The so called Kamikaze ride is equally as challenging – a steep water chute with no twists or turns. Sounds okay doesn’t it? You might think twice once you have tried it! Steep is the keyword here and you will pick up more speed lying down than you might think.

The Giant Slide is great for everyone because you get to sit in a huge inflatable tyre. This is out in the open too so you can soak up the sun’s rays and enjoy the view on the way down. It’s a bit more sedate if you’ve tried the Kamikaze already and you want something more laid back.

And the Lazy River is just that – lazy! Once you’ve tired yourself out you can grab an inflatable tyre and sit back in it as you gradually make your way down 260 metres of river. What better way could there be to enjoy a great day out in Crete?

When talking about the greatest holiday destinations, there is no doubt that Greece would be mentioned. Aside from the mysterious and fascinating Greek mythologies, it is also rich in various hot locations where you could spend the rest of your holiday. If you would like to take a trip to Greece, make sure that you go to all the hottest locations in the country to have a vacation that you will not soon forget.

First stop is the city of Athens. Everyday, there are hundreds of tourists visiting the staggering city of Athens, particularly in Acropolis. If you are a fan of skyscrapers and other fascinating modern structures, you will surely appreciate the architecture that can be found here in Acropolis. Moreover, the city of Athens is also known for the military ceremony when the guards change their shifts. This can be seen at the residence of the president of the country. Aside from that, you will also get to enjoy Athens at night, especially if you are an avid fan of night clubs, bars, and the like. Because of the activities that can be done here in Athens, some people opt not to leave the city and spend the rest of their holiday here.

Another popular tourist destination here in Greece is the Thessaloniki. Just like Athens, foreign visitors also rush to the Thessaloniki because of the amazing architecture, particularly the Byzantine churches. These religious sites are considered by UNESCO as part of the World Heritage Sites all over the world. In this city, you may also visit the archeological museum. Be prepared to be amazed with the huge collection of jewellery that serves as the remains of the Macedonian era. Moreover, you can also find antique as well unique marble statues here in Thessaloniki.

You will probably get tired with all the walking and sightseeing you'll be doing here in Greece. Therefore, to experience relaxation, fun, and the best of the country, you should not forget to hit the Greek islands for some sun, sand, and sparkling waters. There are different tropical islands here in Greece, including the infamous Santorini and Crete. Several water sports activities can be enjoyed on these islands, such as scuba diving, parasailing, wind surfing, and more. And because of the unspoiled environment within reach, you may also partake in some hiking and trekking as well.

You don't have to sulk in your hotel room once the night strikes in Greece. In Mykonos, you can jump from one club to another until the wee hours of the morning. The nightlife here in Mykonos is vibrant and you relax (or party!) in all kinds of nightclubs, trendy bars, fine dining restaurants and of course, luxurious hotels. And with all the beautiful people that you will find during your holiday, you would think that the Greek Gods and Goddesses came down to Earth just to party.

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One of my favorite funky spots in Greece has been included in the Sydney Morning Herald's "Most Unusual Beaches" list - Matala, Crete.

Like Mykonos, Matala seems to be one of those places visitors either love or hate - on the "love" side put ancient Minoans, a few Phoenicians, ancient Romans, Egyptians, and seafarers from a few other cultures, all joined by the hippie explosion in the sixties and early seventies. Then, luminaries like Joni Mitchell and Cat Stevens inhabited the caves pocking the sandstone cliffs - apparently not minding that their beachfront apartments were once tombs.

On the other side, there are those that say it's too crowded, too touristy, too lively. For me? At the moment, the only thing wrong with Matala is that it's just too far away.

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Crete has not been especially fashionable in recent years, but that may all be about to change.

Inland from 1,000km of coastline, there are ancient sites, gorges and villages which are little changed in centuries. Only one place - Malia - has a reputation for the excesses of cheap package-tourism.

But investors have found the double-digit property rises of Cyprus, Turkey or Morocco more attractive than the steady increases in Crete, which is nearer Libya than Athens.

Oonagh Karanjia of Crete Property Consultants, noted: "People have always bought in Crete because they love the lifestyle and the fact that flipping [selling a newbuild property on quickly for profit] doesn't work here".

"Many buyers still want the traditional village house, although the past few years have seen much new development. The low cost of living is attracting would-be Spanish purchasers and Easyjet's take-over of GB Airways' Gatwick-Heraklion route gives people the impression that Crete is more accessible."

Little Britain?

The long, sandy beaches and lusher north-west of Crete has attracted most of the tourism, and newbuild complexes have mushroomed west of Heraklion, the island's capital and main airport, around the towns of Chania and Apokoronos - nicknamed "Little Britain".

But in the drier east, the topography of mountains dropping into the sea has restricted mass development and the area around Elounda and the regional centre of Aghios Nikolaos is associated with small, upmarket projects.

It doesn't have the expat population of, say, Chania, and while it can be too quiet during winter for full-time residents, villa owners no doubt love its comparative isolation.

However, that remoteness may be about to change as the area becomes more accessible, with the extension of the island's new main road - cutting the journey to Elounda to 40 minutes from Heraklion airport - and a new airport mooted at Sitia could open up the far east of the island.

A fantastic opportunity

Some newbuild properties are now selling for 10 times the average cost of a typical stone house, but will buyers consider Crete a luxury destination?

John Batty, of Greek property specialist Aegean Blue, commented: "A market is being created. People who have never considered buying in Crete before are realising it is a fantastic opportunity. It is good value compared with other EU countries."

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There are many ways to enjoy "The Great Island" known as Crete, but if you are a relatively healthy and active person, the most enjoyable and memorable experiences will be find in hiking the spectacular gorges or exploring the island during long walks. On an island where there are six mountain ranges, five "walking centres," and an excellent network of busses, your choices of wonderful adventures on foot are vast and varied.

Those who come to Crete to "do the gorges" are fond of asking those who are less adventuresome, "Well, if you don't plan to walk the Samaria gorge, then why are you here?"

There are many gorges on the mountainous island of Crete, but the Samaria in Western Crete is the iconic gorge of Crete and, indeed, the most spectacular. It is in a protected, National Park and is open only between May and October. Its altitude is over 4,00 feet and a river, replenished by spring water and melted snow, runs through it. The gorge is wild, rugged, and breathtakingly beautiful. Those who have walked this gorge have earned their bragging rights.

The walk through Samaria Gorge begins at Omalos and ends at the beach in Agia Roumeli, a length of approximately eighteen kilometers. Most visitors travel in groups and leave by bus from Chania to Omalos and, when the hike ends in Agia Roumeli, they take a ferry to Chora Sfakion where the bus is ready for the trip back to Chania.

Tour operators recommend a leisurely pace with pauses for picture-taking and admiring the spectacular scenery, including lakes, waterfalls, and many flora, flowers and herbs. Hikers may even see the Cretan wild goat known as a "kri kri." If this advice is followed, the journey from beginning to end will be approximately six to seven hours. Some dare-devils try to set records by literally running through the gorge and one must be on the look-out and avoid being in the way of these dangerous folk.

Most visitors come on organized tours, but some will come to Omolas the day before, stay overnight, and begin the adventure when it opens at 7am. The Omalos plateau is beautiful and serene and staying there overnight and watching the sun set can be a very special, almost transcendental experience. There are a number of small hotels in Omolas and some owners will drive hikers to the ticket kiosk in the morning. Many people find this to be the best way to experience the Samaria Gorge.

Another way to enjoy the gorge, if a long hike downward is not to your liking, or if your knees will not permit it, is to start at the village of Agia Roumeli and pace yourself by walking up as far as you would like and then returning to the village.

Some people choose not to go down the Samaria Gorge, but to go up to the summit of Gingilos, a height of 1980 metres. It is a popular mountain walk that starts from the entrance to the Samaria gorge and the views are superb. The Libyan sea is on the south and the peaks of the White Mountains are readily visible.

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