The Syntopia Blog

Blessing the waters: the meaning of Epiphany

05/01/2021

January 6 is a special date for the Greek Orthodox faith. The 12th day of Christmas marks Epiphany – the celebration of Christ’s baptism and His manifestation to the world as the Son of God. Known in Greece as Theophania, the highlight of this feast day (second only to Easter in its importance for Greeks)...Read More

Explore

christian, epiphany, greek tradition, religious, the syntopia

Four Secluded Beaches Between Rethymno and Heraklion

17/12/2020

There are so many secrets of nature, historical attractions, and cultural experiences to enjoy in the middle of Crete’s northern coast, right in between Rethymno and Heraklion. Those in search of that perfect secluded beach bliss will find some of Crete’s finest unspoiled cays. Crete’s secluded beaches may lack the convenience of those featuring amenities...Read More

Explore

beaches, cretan beaches, Crete, sea, swimming, the syntopia

Three Crete Caving Experiences Few Travelers Know About

05/12/2020

Crete has hundreds of caves not only for speleologists but for travel enthusiasts to discover. Some of the most caves are the Diktaean and Idaean caves, Melidoni, Milatos, Krionerida, and Tigani at Gramvous. However, many other exceptional ones dot the Cretan landscape. Below you’ll find three little-known to outsiders. And if you like myths and...Read More

Explore

caves, cretan caves, Crete, explore crete, speleology, the syntopia

Cretan Teas to Enjoy Every Winter

22/11/2020

Tea drinking is not exclusively a wintertime tradition on Crete island. The islanders drink teas in the warmer months too. Summers are for chilled brews, while winters fill the homes with warm, delicate aromas that chase the cold and the grays of the rain away. Cretans count on many local herbs to brew the perfect...Read More

Taste

cretan herbs, cretan tea, Crete, tea, the syntopia

Rethymno adventures: Visit the mountain village of Anogia

12/11/2020

Perched more than 750 metres up the northern face of Psiloritis, Anogia has a poignant history. Burned by the Turks for its resistance to their rule in the 19th century, and by the Germans in WWII, Anogia is synonymous with heroism, resistance and sacrifice. This is a place where memory runs deep. No wonder it’s...Read More

Explore, Taste

anogia, anogia village, Crete, crete villages, explore crete, nature excursions, psiloritis mountain, Rethymno, traditional villages

6 great wineries to visit near Chania

22/10/2020

While Heraklion province accounts for most of the wine production in Crete, in the west a handful of stunning wineries produce some of the best wines on the island. Anoskeli Set amongst its own olive groves, vineyards and orchards, Anoskeli produces blended reds, whites and rose’s of local varieties Vidiano, Vilana and Asirtiko as well...Read More

Explore, Taste

cretan wine, Crete, the syntopia, wine, wine tasting, wineries, wineries in crete

Crete’s E4 Path: The Ultimate Hiker’s Odyssey

02/10/2020

The E4 European Walking Path is a long-distance footpath that stretches from Tarifa in southern Spain all the way to Cyprus. The whole path is more than 10,000 km long, and much of it, but by no means all, is marked by yellow and black signs. In Crete, the E4 path is 500 km, starting...Read More

Explore

Crete, E4, E4 path, hiking, nature activities in crete

Battle of Crete Museums – 6 of the best

19/09/2020

Heraklion Historical Museum of Crete (IMK) The permanent WWII section of this private museum is Crete’s most significant exhibition related to the Battle and the occupation. Curated by Heraklion historian Costas Mamalakis it presents artefacts from the occupation, resistance activity, acts of sabotage and German war crimes, offering profound insights into the island’s wartime experience...Read More

Explore

Crete, crete museums, museums, war museums

Adventures in Chania: Loutro

07/09/2020

Secluded and car-less, the village of Loutro on Crete’s south-west coast may not be quite off-the-beaten-track these days, but it’s still an idyllic place to unwind – an iconic Greek island getaway. Set on a sheltered crescent bay a 15-munute minute boat ride from Chora Sfakion, blue shuttered white houses tumble down from the hillside...Read More

Explore

beach, Chania, Crete, diving in crete, experience crete, hiking in crete, loutro, loutro village, Sfakia, summer in crete, the syntopia

Traditional Cretan Destination: Vamos Village

22/08/2020

Vamos is a traditional Cretan settlement full of life. It is favored for authentic local fare, folkloric celebrations, walks in nature, architecture, and a well-preserved rural lifestyle. A resident collaboration between like-minded people with a passion for Crete renovated several traditional homes, transforming them into beautiful accommodations for tourists. There are about fifteen such venues...Read More

Explore

Chania, Crete, nature activities, the syntopia, traditional villages, vamos village

NEWER 1 … 7 8 9 … 11 OLDER

Blessing the waters: the meaning of Epiphany

Four Secluded Beaches Between Rethymno and Heraklion

Three Crete Caving Experiences Few Travelers Know About

Cretan Teas to Enjoy Every Winter

Rethymno adventures: Visit the mountain village of Anogia

6 great wineries to visit near Chania

Crete’s E4 Path: The Ultimate Hiker’s Odyssey

Battle of Crete Museums – 6 of the best

Adventures in Chania: Loutro

Traditional Cretan Destination: Vamos Village

Contact Info

Newsletter

Recent Posts

Instagram

Social