Crete is a Greek island, formerly called "Island of Candia". It is the largest of the Greek islands and the fifth in the Mediterranean Sea in area. Crete is the cradle of the Minoan civilization of which Knossos is the heart and the most important archaeological site. The island has a stretched shape: it extends over 255 km from east to west and, at its widest point, over 55 km from north to south. There are mountains, gorges, limestone massifs and…. Nearly 35 million olive trees! Mediterranean climate guaranteed, Crete is home to a very varied fauna and flora. There are magnificent hotels there for rest and guaranteed pleasure, and for those most keen on sightseeing and history, very beautiful excursions to Heraklion, venetian city of Chania or Rethymnon.