Crete, in the southeast Mediterranean, is the largest Greek island, measuring 250 kilometres east to west and 60 kilometers at its widest point north to south.

Crete is the birthplace of Zeus, Father of the Gods of Olympus. It is also the cradle of Minoan civilization, which dominated the Mediterranean from 2800 BC to 1400 BC and has left marvellous monuments such as the Palace of Knossos, as well as exquisite vases, frescos and jewellery now housed in the museums of Crete.

Crete is also the birthplace of the famous artist Domenikos Theotokopoulos or El Greco; the poet Vicenzos Kornaros, author of "Erotokritos"; the author Nikos Kazantzakis, best known for "Zorba the Greek" and "The Last Temptation"; and the visionary politician Eleftherios Venizelos, who shaped the history of modern Greece

Today Crete has a population of about 600,000, mostly concentrated in the cities of the north coast: Heraklion, the largest city in the centre of the island, Chania and Rethymnon to the west, and Agios Nikolaos and Sitia to the east.

Crete is connected to mainland Greece and the wider world through its three airports (two of which are international) and its many ports. From Crete you can easily visit the islands of the South Aegean such as Santorini, Paros, Naxos and Mykonos. There are also regular services to Rhodes and Karpathos, and of course Athens and Thessaloniki. In the summer, hundreds of flights bring about 3 million tourists to the island, many of whom return year after year. These people have come to Crete, fallen in love with it and return each year to rediscover its magic and enjoy their holidays.

Crete's 1100 kilometer of coastline offer over 100 beaches, making it the ideal holiday resort. Apart from its beaches and blue sea, it also offers walkers and nature-lovers its high mountains and 70 gorges. Pretty villages are waiting for you to visit and discover traditional Cretan architecture and local customs.

Scattered across Crete are archaeological sites and monuments from Minoan times and the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Venetian and Turkish periods. The wonderful artefacts in the museums, the churches and monasteries with their centuries of history, all go to make up the jigsaw puzzle of Cretan history and culture.

Crete offers relaxing holidays in luxury resorts or small family hotels, next to the sea or high in the mountains for those who prefer ecotourism. There is a lively nightlife for younger visitors to Hersonissos, Malia and Platanias. For children and those who want to feel like kids again, a day at a waterpark is just the thing.

Crete also has a golf course, with more planned. Don't miss the CretAquarium in Gournes between Heraklion and Hersonissos, one of the largest aquaria in Southern Europe.

If you haven't visited Crete yet, this summer may be the time to come and discover this fascinating Greek island. If it captures your heart, don't worry. Come back next year and it will welcome you once more with its smiling Cretan sun, the sounds of the Cretan lyre, the scents of orange blossom and jasmine, a slice of cool red watermelon and a glass of iced raki.