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Crete was the centre of Europe's most ancient civilization; the Minoan. Early Cretan history is replete with legends such as those of King Minos, Theseus, Minotaur, Daedalus and Icarus passed on orally via poets such as Homer. Crete was involved in the Mithridatic Wars, initially repelling an attack by Roman general Marcus Antonius Creticus in 71 BC. Nevertheless, a ferocious three-year campaign soon followed under Quintus Caecilius Metellus, equipped with three legions and Crete was finally conquered by Rome in 69 BC, earning for Metellus the title "Creticus". Gortyn was made capital of the island, and Crete became a Roman province, along with Cyrenaica.

Crete was part of the Byzantine empire, but then was captured by Iberian Muslims led by Abu Hafs[4] who established a piratical emirate on the island. In 960 Nicephorus Phocas reconquered the island, which remained under Byzantine control until 1204, when it fell into the hands of the Venetians at the time of the Fourth Crusade. During Venice's rule, which lasted more than four centuries, a Renaissance swept through the island as is evident from the plethora of artistic works dating to that period. The most notable representatives of this Cretan renaissance were the painter El Greco and the writers Nicholas Kalliakis (1645–1707) and Vitsentzos Kornaros.

Under the rule of Christian Venetians, the city of Candia (Heraklion) was reputed to be the best fortified city of the Eastern Mediterranean. In 1574–77, Crete was under the rule of Giacomo Foscarini as Proveditor General, Sindace and Inquistor. According to Starr (1942), the rule of Giacomo Foscarini was the dark age for Jews and Greeks. Under his rule, non-Catholics had to pay high taxes with no allowances. This practice ended when the Ottomans conquered Crete in 1669, after a 21-year siege of the capital, Candia.

During Ottoman rule, many churches and monasteries were converted to mosques. However, freedoms and rights were still provided. Church attendance was permitted. Still, many Christians converted to Islam. According to Molly Greene (2001) there were numerous records of real-estate transactions during the Ottoman rule. In the deserted city, minorities received equal rights in purchasing property. Christians and Jews were also able to buy and sell in the real-estate market.

Muslim presence on the island started with the Arab occupation but was cemented by the Ottoman conquest. Most Cretan Muslims were local Greek converts who spoke Cretan Greek, but in the island's 19th century political context they came to be viewed by the Christian population as Turks. Contemporary estimates vary, but on the eve of the Greek War of Independence, as much as 45% of the population of the island may have been Muslim. Many amongst them were crypto-Christians who converted back to Christianity in subsequent years, while many others fled Crete because of the unrest, settling in Turkey, Rhodes, Syria and elsewhere. By 1900, 11% of the population was Muslim. Those remaining were forced to leave in 1924 in the Population exchange between Greece and Turkey.

Crete was left out of the modern Greek state by the London Protocol of 1830, and soon it was yielded to Egypt by the Ottoman sultan. Egyptian rule was short-lived and sovereignty was returned to the Ottoman Empire by the Convention of London on July 3, 1840.

Between 1833 and 1897, several more Christian uprisings took place, and in 1898, Crete, a complex autonomous Cretan State under Ottoman suzerainty, was nevertheless garrisoned by an international military force, with a High Commissioner (Armostis), chosen by Greece. Finally, Crete was joined with Greece on 1 December 1913.

During World War II, the island was the scene of the famous Battle of Crete where, in May 1941, German paratroopers sustained almost 7,000 casualties, meeting fierce resistance from both locals and the British Commonwealth force, commanded by General Sir Bernard Freyberg. As a result, Adolf Hitler forbade further large scale airborne operations.

Source: Wikipedia

Crete (or Creta or Kreta) is a mountainous island, the largest of the Greek islands and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean, lies south in Greece separating the Aegean from Libyan Sea, the southest part of Europe, a link between three continents Asia, Africa and Europe.

Crete has four major parts (prefectures). These are from the the west to the east Chania, Rethimnon, Iraklion and Lassithi.

The biggest cities in Crete are Chania, Rethymno, Iraklio and Agios Nikolaos on the North part of the island and Ierapetra to the south part facing the Libyan sea.

Heraklion or Iraklion is the largest city and capital of Crete. It is also the fourth largest city in Greece. Its name is also spelled Herakleion.

Heraklion is the capital of Heraklion Prefecture, with an international airport named after the writer Nikos Kazantzakis. The ruins of Knossos, which were excavated and restored by Arthur Evans, are nearby.

The present city of Heraklion was founded in 824 AD by the Saracens who had been expelled from Al-Andalus by Emir Al-Hakam I and had taken over the island from the Byzantine Empire.

The University of Crete (UOC) is the principal higher education institution on the island of Crete. It is a multi-disciplinary, research- oriented institution, located in the cities of Rethymnon and Heraklion. It is a University with a well-known reputation both nationally and internationally for its state-of-the art curricula and graduate programmes. In addition, the University has developed considerable research activity and has undertaken innovative initiatives that reflect its dynamic. The University was established in 1973 and started functioning in the academic year 1977-78.

At Heraklion, the School of Sciences and Engineering includes the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Materials Science and Technology, and Physics, while the School of Health Sciences includes the faculty of Medicine. The Natural History Museum of Crete, established in 1981 at Heraklion, is also part of the University of Crete.

The Faculty of Medicine was established in 1983 and received its first students in 1984. Since 1989, it has been operating at its new campus, located about 7 km from Heraklion. It represents one of the newest medical and research complexes in Greece.

The campus includes a spacious and functional 24,000 square meter, ten-wing building and a modern, well-equipped 62,000 square meter University Hospital. During the twenty five years of its existence, it has established multiple activities in education, research, and health care and has collaborated with scientific and social sectors in Greece and abroad.

The Faculty consists of ten Departments: Basic Sciences, Morphology, Laboratory Medicine, Radiology, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Mother and Child Health, Neurology and Sensory Organs, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Social Medicine. The teaching staff includes more than 130 faculty members. In addition, the permanent staff includes administrative staff and specialized technical personnel.

The undergraduate programme of studies lasts for six years. Balanced emphasis is given to Basic Sciences (semesters 1-4), Laboratory Medicine (semesters 4-7), Pre-clinical Training (semesters 6-8) and Clinical training (semesters 9-12). The Faculty of Medicine also offers several postgraduate programmes leading to a Master’s or doctoral degree.

The Venetian Castle of Heraklion is called Koules, which means “fortress” in Turkish. It is an impressive fortress that surrounds the harbor of Heraklion, Crete. The Koules Castle is a massive fortress with two storeys that used to guard the entry to the port. The Castle was constructed by the Venetians in the early 13th century, when they conquered the town. The earliest description of the Koules Venetian Castle exists in the work of the Florentine monk Cristoforo Buondelmonti in 1429.

 

This church stands on a square of the same name in Heraklion Town and is dedicated to Saint Titus, patron of the island. It is a beautiful monument that blends elements of Western and Eastern architecture and, and that was first built in during the Byzantine period. The Venetians used it as a Catholic Cathedral.

The Turks transformed it into a mosque, altering one more time the church’s architecture. The strong earthquakes destroyed it in 1856. Locals rebuilt it on its old foundations in 1872 but turning it into a Greek Orthodox church.The holy relics of Saint Titus are housed here.

The Minoan Palace at Knossos is over 20,000 square meters - and the largest of all Minoan palatial structures. It was built of ashlar blocks, had many floors and was decorated with really beautiful frescoes. The old palace was built around 2000 B.C but was destroyed by an earthquake in 1700 B.C. The newer, more complex palace, was built almost immediately after the first one was destroyed. In the middle of the 15th Century B.C, the Achaeans took over the island of Crete and settled in the palace. The palace was once again destroyed by fire in the middle of the 14th Century B.C and henceforth ceased to function as a palatial centre.

Legend has it that this palace was the source of the Labyrinth myth. It was a structure that was made by King Minos of Crete, to keep the mythical creature Minotaur – who was half bull and half man – away. Eventually the creature was killed by Theseus.

The Palace of Phaistos is located on the east end of the Kastri Hill, the end of the Mesara plain in South Central Crete. It is considered to be one of the finest of all Minoan palaces. The preserves of the old and new palace can be seen until nowadays. Excavations in the area began in 1884 and were carried out by F. Halbherr and A. Taramelli. After the declaration of the Cretan State as independent in 1898, continued by F. Halbherr and L. Pernier between in 1900- 1904.

Later the excavations were carried out by Doro Levi between 1950 and 1971 with the help of the Italian Archaeological School of Athens. Other findings of the area include thousands of seal impressions and some tablets containing the Linear A script.

The museum of Heraklion is located in the capital of Crete, Heraklion and is one of the most important and richest museums in Greece. In its 20 rooms, the museum houses finds that have been excavated exclusively in Crete, and related to its prestigious past, from Neolithic to Roman times, through the important and prosperous Minoan period.

Visitors may admire sculptures, clay figurines, superb jewels and astonishing frescoes and remains from the various Minoan palaces of Crete (especially from the palace at Knossos). Telephone: 2810 226092/224630/226470

Privately created and maintained by John McLaren and his staff, the stunning Aquaworld at Hersonisos operates since 1995. It was created by an aquarium hobbyist who loved the animals, so he decided to make a place to host them. In the Aquarium of Hersonisos, you can find many species of reptiles, fish and other marines.

From turtles, snakes, fish, marines and many reptiles that are found in the countryside and the sea of Crete, the collection is great. The Aquaworld of Hersonisos not only collects animal and sea species but also takes in injured animals which need home.

The Natural History Museum of Crete is located near the port of Heraklion, at Sofokli Venizelou street, and it is dedicated to present the natural environment of Crete and Mediterranean in general. Operating under the framework of the University of Crete, this museum was established in 1980 and has five departments: Zoological, Botanical, Anthropological, Paleontological-Geological and Mineralogical.

Hersonisos is the best equipped touristy resort of the prefecture of Heraklion. It is located 27 kilometres east of the capital of Crete and has a population of about 4100 inhabitants. Accommodations of all categories, restaurants, shops of all kinds, popular art shops, bars and night clubs are filling the resort while their number grows every year.

The little village of Hersonissos is located nearby this lively and busy touristy resort and seems to be indifferent to the crowd and bustle of the port, keeping its simplicity and authenticity. Ruins from the Roman period can be seen in the surrounding area as well as some port remains which are visible under the sea.

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The sea tourism of  Larissa is significant and has very good infrastructures (harbors,schools of sea sports) as well as a large number of sea sports for years now.
Camps and sailing courses, canoë and water ski courses are also available for eleven to sixteen-year-old youths. It is also worth mentioning that a number of important sports events are held in Larissa such as the Championship of Central Greece, the Optimist and Laser Sailing races on the Spitaki Beach and the Pan-Hellenic Games of underwater fishing.

Winter Tourism - Ski

The easiest way to reach Ioannina is by plane via Athens.

On a daily basis three flights connect Athens airport with Ioannina. The flight duration is approximately 1 hour.

For your booking, visit the Aegean airlines and the Olympic Air web pages.

An alternative, but less straightforward path is to travel from Athens to Aktio-Preveza by plane (on a weekly basis there are three flights: on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, flight duration approximately 55 minutes) and then from Preveza, reach Ioannina by bus (it is a one-hour bus ride). The Preveza airport is served by Olympic Air.

Flights are usually heavily booked, so booking in advance (2 months) is recommended. Typically, the airfare from Athens (or Thessaloniki) to Ioannina is less expensive, if it is booked as a domestic rather than an international flight.

Ioannina is accessible by bus from Athens, Thessaloniki, Corfu or Igoumenitsa.

Bus from Athens to Ioannina:

There are nine daily bus connections (departure times: 6:00, 8:00, 9:30, 11:00, 13:00, 15:30, 17:00, 21:30, 22:30) from Athens to Ioannina.

The trip duration is about 6.5 hours and the bus fare is approximately 30 Euros (one way).

If you decide to reach Ioannina by bus you should go from Athens airport to the Athens central long-distance bus terminal (named Kifissos terminal).

You may either get a taxi (cost about 30 Euros) or use the X93 express bus line (bus is 3.90 Euros).

There are six daily bus connections (departure times: 7.30, 11, 13.30, 15.00, 18.00, 21.30) from Thessaloniki to Ioannina.

The trip duration is about 5 hours and the bus fare is approximately 27 Euros (one way).

If you decide to reach Ioannina by bus you should go from Thessaloniki airport to the Thessaloniki central long-distance bus terminal.

You may either get a taxi (taxi fare is about 15 euros) or use the Number 78 bus line (bus fare is 0.50 Euros; buses are leaving from the terminal every hour) that connects the airport with Thessaloniki's central long-distance bus terminal.

Bus from Corfu or Igoumenitsa to Ioannina:

From May, there are several charter flights that connect most European capitals to Corfu.

Once you are in Corfu, you can reach Ioannina by bus.

There are two daily bus connections (departure times: 7.45, 19.15) from Corfu to Ioannina.

The trip duration is approximately 3 hours and the bus fare is approximately 15 Euros (one way - it includes the ferry fare).

If you miss the bus at Corfu, just take the ferry across to Igoumenitsa (ferry fare is about 5 euros) and then catch one of the buses at the Igoumenitsa long-distance bus station, which is within walking distance from the port.

From Igoumenitsa, Ioannina is a 1.5-hour bus ride.

There are ten bus connections (departure times: 6.30, 8.15, 9.15, 11.30, 14.30, 16.45, 18.00, 20.00, bus fare is about 8 euro - one way).

The port of Igoumenitsa is connected with several major Adriatic Sea Italian ports (Trieste, Venice, Ankona, Brindisi, Bari).

Then from Igoumenitsa, Ioannina is a 1.5-hour bus ride (see Bus information from Corfu or Igoumenitsa to Ioannina above) and less than one hour if you decide to drive.

If you decide to drive from Athens or Thessaloniki to Ioannina, you may rent a car in the arrivals area of Athens or Thessaloniki airports.

Driving directions from Athens to Ioannina:

From the Athens airport, take Attiki Odos motorway and follow the signs to Athens and then Elefsina. After Elefsina, keep driving on Greek National Road 8A (sometimes called National Road 8) westbound, until you reach Rio Junction. Pass the Rio-Antirio bridge, and then follow National Road 5 northbound. National Road 5 ends at downtown Ioannina.

Driving directions from Thessaloniki to Ioannina:

From Thessaloniki airport, drive in the direction of Athens following National Road E-75/A1 for a while, which later becomes E-90 and E-75. Continue until you reach the intersection which takes you to Veria. Make a right turn towards Veria and Kozani. Now you are on E-90/A2 freeway (a.k.a Via Egnatia). Do not enter Veria. Make a left towards Kozani and stay on E90/A2 until Grevena. You go through Grevena and on A2 you follow the signs to Ioannina, Metsovo and Milia. The road goes through the mountains and you pass the villages of Kipourio, Krania, and Milia. After Milia, follow the signs to Metsovo and Ioannina. Do not enter Metsovo; just drive on the road that becomes E-92, following the signs to Ioannina.

Χριστίνα 2008, Μεξικό
 
Πηγα τον Αυγουστο στο Μοντερρευ του Μεξικου και περασα ΤΕΛΕΙΑ!!
Η πολη δεν ηταν τοσο ωραια, απο την αποψη οτι ειναι πολυ μοντερνα και συγχρονη και δεν μπορεις να δεις τοσο τον μεξικανικο τροπο ζωης, αρχιτεκτονικιης κλπ. Ομως μπορεις να επισκεφτεις αλλες περιοχες στο Μεξικο και να τα δεις ολα αυτα, ολη η χωρα ειναι καταπληκτικη.
Αυτο που εχει το Μοντερρευ ειναι μια υπεροχη ifmsa! Ολα τα παιδια ηταν εξυπηρετικα και προθυμα να μας βοηθησουν σε ο, τι και να χρειαζομασταν, απο το πιο ασημαντο μεχρι το πιο σοβαρο. Επισης ημουν τυχερη, γιατι το μηνα που πηγα ημουνα με αλλα 40 φοβερα ατομα απο ολο τον κοσμο με τα οποια περασαμε υπεροχα. Μαζι με τους μεξικανους, οργανωναμε συνεχεια παρτι γεματα χορο και μεξικανικο φαγητο.
Οι εστιες ηταν πολυ καθαρες και ανετες. Υπηρχε προσωπικο που καθαριζε τα δωματια μας καθε μερα και το πρωι μας ετοιμαζε πρωινο. Τα υπολοιπα γευματα ηταν στο νοσοκομειο και η τοπικη κουζινα μου αρεσε πολυ. Καποια παιδια ειχαν καποιες στομαχικες διαταραχες, αλλα εγω δεν αντιμετωπισα κανενα προβλημα.
Εχω κρατησει επαφη με τους περισσοτερους (να'ναι καλα το facebook!!) και σκεφτομαι να ξαναπαω καποια στιγμη στο μελλον. Κατα τη διαρκεια της ανταλλαγης αλλα και μετα ειχα την ευκαιρια να επισκεφτω και πολλες αλλες πολεις του Μεξικου απο τον Ειρηνικο μεχρι την Καραιβικη και καμμια δεν με απογοητευσε!!
Πραγματικα μετανιωνω που δεν ειχα παει νωριτερα ανταλλαγη, γιατι ορκιστηκα το καλοκαιρι κι ετσι δεν εχω τη δυνατοτητα να το επαναλαβω..
Ηταν με διαφορα το καλυτερο καλοκαιρι μου!!
Συνιστω το Μεξικο σε ολους ανεπιφυλακτα!!

Νάντια 2008, Ιταλία
 
Η Udine είναι μια μικρή αλλά υπέροχη πόλη!
Τα παιδιά της SISM εκεί ήταν πολύ εξυπηρετικά, από τη στιγμή που πάτησα το πόδι μου Ιταλία, πάντα διαθέσιμα να βοηθήσουν στο οτιδήποτε.
Οι εστίες στεγάζονται σε καινούριο κτίριο, ο καθένας είχε το δικό του δωμάτιο, με δικό του μπάνιο αλλα κοινή κουζίνα σε κάθε όροφο, τόπο συνάντησης και γνωριμίας με τους υπόλοιπους φοιτητές, Ιταλούς και μη.
Το νοσοκομείο της κλινικής άσκησης είναι μεγάλο και έχεις τη δυνατότητα να ασχοληθείς πολύ με ιατρικά θέματα, αν σε ενδιαφέρει, αφού οι περισσότεροι καθηγητές είναι κάτι παραπάνω από πρόθυμοι να σε διδάξουν και να αφήσουν καλή εντύπωση στους αλλοδαπούς φοιτητές.
Μπορεί η πόλη να μην προσφέρεται για αχαλίνωτο clubbing, αλλά υπάρχουν πολά δρομολόγια με τρένο και λεωφορεία για να ταξιδέψεις και σε άλλες πόλεις. Ο Ιούλιος είναι μια καλή περίοδος πάντως, γιατί έχει πολλές πολιτισμικές εκδηλώσεις στην πόλη και σε γύρω περιοχές.

Αναστασία 2008, Ουγγαρία

Τι να πρωτοπώ γι΄αυτόν τον μήνα;!