The island of Crete is one of the largest islands in Greece. It is not only the main tourist center of the country, but also the place where one of the most ancient civilizations originated. Crete is a unique island, where the god Zeus himself was born. The island is divided into four parts, each of which is famous not only for its beautiful and picturesque nature, but also for its unique historical sites. Heraklio, Rethymno, Chania and Lassithi are the main areas of the island. In each tourist can observe many temples, ancient fortresses, picturesque fountains, museums, ancient mosques and churches.
Until now, archaeologists find unique historical monuments of the Minoan civilization. The mass of sights of Crete was erected by the order of King Minos. Among these historical sites are ancient palaces, ruins of temples, and even the ruins of the Knossos Labyrinth, famous for the legend of the Minotaur.
How much does it cost to get married in Crete?
Given our many years of experience, we can say that for a wedding with guests should be calculated from 40 000 eur This is the minimum budget to make a beautiful wedding in a beautiful place.
The cost will increase in proportion to the number of people. You can find the cost of our services in the prices section.
The luxurious, paradisiacal nature of the island of Crete
As one of the islands of the archipelago, Crete is washed by the Aegean, Ionian and Libyan Seas. This place offers tourists warm and sunny weather, luxurious sandy beaches, vast blue sea, tropical vegetation, mountain gorges and other natural beauties. For lovers of natural places, such places as:
— the salt lake of Wulismeni;
— the slopes of the White Mountains;
— Mount Dikti, where Zeus himself, the ruler of Olympus, is said to have been born;
— Samaria Canyon;
— stone gorges;
— the vast expanse of the Kantanos Plain;
— the beauty of the Botanical Park in Chania;
— large-scale vineyards, palm and orange tree estates;
— the caves of Zeus, Milatos and Melidoni;
— Diktei Cave at an altitude of over 1000 meters, and a host of other scenic spots.
Whatever the case may be, Crete’s superb beaches are best suited for a wedding ceremony and wedding photo shoot. Especially popular are the beach of Vai, considered a «paradise» place, the beach with «pink» sand Elafonisi, the wild beach-lagoon Balos, which is known thanks to the legends of pirates. The beaches of Crete are famous for their secluded bays, azure sea, warm sand and beautiful harbors, and here you can find sunken pirate ships and ancient fortresses.
Authentic cuisine of Crete
Crete is a Greek island, which is why you should try an authentic «Greek» salad here. The cuisine in this area is characterized by a great abundance of fresh vegetables and herbs, seafood and spices. The guests invited to the wedding buffet will be surprised by the island’s crown dish — grape snails. Real gourmets will appreciate this delicacy.
You should also give preference to traditional dishes such as:
— Cretan appetizer mezedes;
— Greek rolls;
— Dakos (Italian bruschetta made of barley bread, garlic, tomatoes, olives, basil and sheep cheese);
— Bugazza (puff pastry made with yogurt and cheese, or spinach and minced meat);
— traditional rice with lamb;
— «psitos»;
— «kleftiko»;
— souvlaki (kebab) and gyros (shawarma).
Among the popular dishes of Crete it is worth mentioning a variety of appetizers, baked and fried in batter, and, undoubtedly, vegetables and grilled meat. From drinks, guests of the painting party will appreciate Greek wines and traditional beer brewed on the island, as well as real coffee.
Traces of ancient civilizations
The island of Crete is home to a wealth of natural sites and architectural attractions. In addition to the beautiful nature of the Greek islands, Crete is rich in historical sites. The ancient ruins are ideal for wedding ceremonies, weddings and weddings, as well as for wedding photos.
Crete became a tourist center in the nineteenth century. When archaeologists began to conduct large-scale excavations, amazing sights were revealed to the world. Some of the most visited places are:
- Palace of Knossos;
- Preveli Monastery;
- Minotaur’s labyrinth;
- the Temple of Apollo;
- Odeon, ancient theaters in the city of Gortis and many others.
The Palace of Knossos — mystery and beauty described in legends
Mentions of the Palace of Knossos in Greek myths have served its popularity. In the myths of ancient Greece, this architectural monument is found quite often. The reconstruction of the palace was carried out by Arthur John Evans and gave the opportunity to appreciate the full power and scale of the structure. Minoan architecture reached its peak in 1700 BC, of which the palace is proof.
The paintings and architecture of the palace impress tourists from all over the world. Covering an area of about 180 square meters, this building is decorated with galleries, colonnades, staircases and frescoes. The walls of the palace depict Greek youths playing sports.
The Minotaur’s Labyrinth — known from myths
Many people have heard of the Minotaur monster from ancient Greek myths. King Minos built a palace of amazing beauty, which had a lot of rooms and corridors. The intricate labyrinths of the structure became a real legend, from which everyone learned about the man with the head of a bull, who guarded the palace. King Minos enslaved Athens and demanded that fourteen young men and women be sacrificed to the beast every seven years. But one day, the hero Theseus headed into the labyrinth and with the help of his beloved Ariadne’s cunning plan, killed the Minotaur and saved the people of Athens from terror.
Thanks to this beautiful legend, the Minotaur’s labyrinth has become a favorite attraction on the island of Crete. Holding a wedding photo shoot here will be an excellent choice for a couple in love, who want not only to amaze and delight the guests invited to the event, but also to remember the wedding day for a lifetime.
Picturesque natural places: Samaria Gorge and Lake Kurna
Samaria Gorge and Lake Kurna are some of the most frequently visited places in Crete. Samaria includes a national park. The unique flora and fauna of the Greek island is amazing. More than 450 species of plants can be observed here. But this place is not devoid of architectural monuments.
Lake Kourta is the largest lake in Crete. With a circumference of three kilometers, it is located in the midst of beautiful nature. This quiet and peaceful place among the hills looks great in wedding photos. The landscape of the area is predominantly sandy. There is also a village called Agriroupoli, where you can admire the ruins of buildings and take great photos.
