Naxos and Heraklion

Über das Reiseziel: Naxos (griechisch: Νάξος, Náxos) ist eine griechische Insel in der Ägäis, die zum Kykladen-Archipel gehört. Sie hat 428 km² und 14.000 Einwohner und ist damit die größte der Kykladeninseln. Die Hauptstadt ist die Stadt Naxos (oder Khora: 2.900 Einwohner). In der griechischen Mythologie ist es nach einigen Legenden, die vom Pseudo-Apollodorus erzählt werden, der Ort, an dem Theseus aufhört, nachdem er den Minotaurus getötet hat. Dort verlässt er Ariadne, die Tochter des Königs Minos, die am nächsten Tag von Dionysos abgeholt und sofort nach Limnos gebracht wird. In einer anderen Version der Legende, die von Homer in der Odyssee kurz erzählt wird, tötet Artemis Ariadne auf "Dia, die von Flüssen umspülte Insel", die Diodorus Siculus Naxos gleichsetzt, aber eher das heutige Dia an der Nordküste Kretas ist. Sicher ist, dass die Insel Dionysos, den Schutzpatron der Reben, verehrte, die ihre Haupternte waren.

Über das Reiseziel: Heraklion is the capital of Crete and usually the starting point for holiday visitors wishing to explore the island. With about 130 000 inhabitants, it is the fifth largest town in Greece. The city is marked by different influences of Venetians, Saracens and Greeks. History is very much alive in Heraklion just like in most Greek cities. All around the old part of the city, a visitor can walk following the old Venetian walls that meet at a bastion, called Koules Fortress that dominates the old harbour of the city. The Venetians began the construction of the city walls in 1462 and they took more than a century to complete. The walls are about 4km in length and of a triangular shape with seven bastions and is now one of the icons of the city. The central square, surrounded by stores, cafes, and restaurants, is dominated by the fountain of the Lions, built by a Venetian governor in the 17th century. The Archaeological Museum at Heraklion is impressive and it is the pride and joy of the city. The displays are satisfyingly thorough and well laid out, all aspects of life in Crete from prehistory through to the Roman period is covered in a series of spacious galleries. The Palace at Knossos is the second most popular tourist site in all of Greece, second only to the Acropolis, the site is in incredible shape and there is much to see. It is also in a beautiful setting with great views over the countryside. Heraklion offers a vast array of historic and archaeological holiday attractions, including its world-famous museum and the nearby site of Knossos, heart of the ancient Minoan civilisation. The shoreline in the city, Amoudara, is a three kilometre strip of sandy beach, lots of cafes, bars and hotels and the site of Technopolis, a modern multiplex cinema and open-air theatre. The most beautiful beaches outside the city are found in Kartero and Malia.