Lashithi

The east side of Crete hides some of the most charming views of the island

Agios Nikolaos with the elegant neoclassical with gorgeous lake, the top resorts of Elounda with the luxury brand, the famous island of Spinalonga with its tragic past and today it is visited by thousands of visitors overlooking the beautiful Gulf of Mirabello (mirabello = « look good “), so called from their enchanted by the blue sea of ​​the Venetians, the capital-jewel of Lassithi, Agios Nikolaos, revealed to us in all its glory.

Ultimate expression of cosmopolitan “Santa” – as called by the Cretans – the mythical Lake Voulismeni. With the huge red cliffs rise like walls around her, sheltered refuge dozens of small boats swaying lazily in “fraud” waters, this picturesque lake connected to the sea through a narrow channel 1870. The legends and speculations usually surround aquatic monuments could not be missing here. Admire the lake from above and discover the well-kept secrets of … With the eyes of your imagination see the goddesses Artemis and Athena bathed in unfathomable waters which according to urban legend associated with the volcano of Santorini. Open cafes, trendy bars, upscale restaurants, quaint taverns – favorite haunts of locals for a raki – ideal for hours of relaxation and enjoyment of the day but also for an overnight partying at night with all the city to ‘celebrate’ down to the harbor.

Endless beaches of endless range and blue flags! The Sand, Amoudi, Almyros with the towering eucalyptus trees and reeds, Amoudara for lovers of water sports, Karavostasi and Saint Panteleimon for the most romantic, secular square and unique Voulisma

Elounda is a cosmopolitan resort of Crete attracts thousands of visitors and many famous personalities from around the world for its luxurious 5 star holiday hotel of units. Indented coastline, shaded beaches, crystal clear sea in the whole spectrum of blue ∙ crystal clear, stylish, beautiful environment. The heart of the famous resort ringing night and day in the main square overlooking the harbor and moored luxurious vessels VIP guests Your Small boats waiting to take you to the depths of the small Venetian fortress. In Kastronisia Spinalonga (Long Acanthus), the island of tears.

The island of the living dead. Even the reference to the name taboo for many years, and was identified with the pain and suffering of Hansen’s living there, to “meskinies” isolated from the local community. In spite of the adversities, the unhappy souls are able to develop on the island a peculiar society with its own rules.

The cobbled streets in search of the remains of the marvelous civilization that had developed the then inhabitants through anything. The remains of houses, a hospital, the scholeiou.Ypoklitheite the power of these people despite their illness and social marginalization continue to work, to be educated and to live with dignity until 1957. When he left the last patient, followed years abandonment and desolation in the island in an attempt to erase from the collective memory of those tragic happened there.

In 1970 the island was declared a protected archaeological site. Begin excavations, demolished the buildings leprosarium and maintenance work start on the walls. Some years later, successful best seller novel by Victoria Hislop ‘The Island’ put an end to isolation. With reference center Spinalonga, the Englishwoman author ran successfully bring down social prejudice reviving a time when nobody wanted to remember.

Today, Spinalonga is one of the main attractions of Crete, with thousands of visitors from around the world to pay homage to the greatness of the human soul.

Ierapetra is the most populous city of Lasithi. It is also the fourth largest city in Crete and southern Greece.

Over the last decade Ierapetra is one of the popular tourist destinations of Crete and attracts Greek, Russian, Italian and German tourists because of its award-winning beaches (2nd European beach award). The nightlife starts from the taverns of the beach and ends at the bars in the narrow streets of the city. During the summer months, made cultural events “Kyrveia” with numerous concerts and theater performances.

Today the city is the only urban center in southern Crete and is an important commercial center of export of agricultural products to Europe and is the main economic center of Lasithi.

Sitia is a coastal town in eastern Crete Lassithi Prefecture. Located in the northeastern part of the county, in the western cove of the namesake bay, 70 km. East of Agios Nikolaos. He is home of the poet of “Erotokritos” Vicenza Cornaro. Sitia has a small airport, through which it is connected with Athens and the islands of Agee, a tourist resort.

The city probably identified with the classical and Hellenistic Itia or Itida, or sieve, suspected home of Myson, one of the seven sages of antiquity. In Greek mythology, Iraklissygkentrose from this town (and the entire Crete) warriors against Laestrygonians and defeating them in central Italy, founded the new Sitia, just outside Rome.

And of course the unique Vai palm forest located in Crete, in Lassithi. Located in the eastern part of Crete near the sea, particularly in the Cretan coast of Karpathios Sea, just north of the village of Palekastro and approx 20 km from Sitia. It is one of the 19 Aesthetic Forests [1] of Greece which joined in 1973. The reason for inclusion in the category of protected natural areas is the existence of endemic Cretan palm. This particular palm is known from the Minoan era and called palm of Theophrastus (Phoenix theophrastii).

The forest area is 20 hectares and its name comes from the local dialect, in which the palms are called Valles or Vagia → Vai. It is the most extensively palm Phoenix theophrastii that exists in Crete, as in other areas of the island (about 10) found only small groups or groves (Preveli Agios Nikitas), but there is extensive forest. The palm is fenced. In the fenced area there is a small spring, which feeds an also small stream. At the eastern end, to the beach, there are dunes, soil is very favorable for the development of palm trees. The location of Vai is very important for Europe, because of its uniqueness: nowhere else in Europe is not known forest from Phoenix theophrastii.