From patmos to crete, santorini to rhodes, these photos take you inside the mediterraneans breathtaking greek islands. Known in the past as the island of the outcasts, it covers an area of 8,500 square meters and is most famous for housing the leper colony that victoria hislop wrote about in her bestselling book the island. It is called spinalonga and it is where lepers were. Keen to preserve the integrity of the book and to give something back to the mediterranean island on which it is based, hislop spurning hollywood, the author settled for. The island is very popular, many tourists come by boat from ierapetra every day. From its arid east to the lush forests of the west, crete beckons to be explored. I found it difficult to put it down as the story line was so good. Perched where the continents of asia, africa and europe meet, crete sits approximately 230 miles south of mainland greece. Crete is the largest island in greece, and the fifth largest one in the mediterranean sea. Islands near crete that worth a visit during your holidays. The small island of elafonisi, off crete, has an azure blue lagoon and pinkish white sand on one of the best beaches in greece. Set on the island of spinalonga, off the coast of crete, and on the village of plaka which lies within swimming. The cradle of european civilization, crete is the largest island in greece, and the fifth largest in the mediterranean sea with remnants of brilliant civilizations, rugged mountains, endless beaches and turquoise seas, charming towns and villages, and stunning countryside. Jul 23, 2014 the small island of elafonisi, off crete, has an azure blue lagoon and pinkish white sand on one of the best beaches in greece.
The book may be a little large to carry with you but it is certainly an excellent way to prepare your next trip to crete and get an appetite. The original site is believed to have been built around 1900 bc, but following an earthquake it was rebuilt on a grand scale, and lavish royal quarters, shrines, treasuries and storerooms. Feb 01, 2010 the island is a story about love and pain, separation and fear. The story of the book takes place on the island of spinalonga, during its years as a leper colony. The island is a story about love and pain, separation and fear. Crete is the largest island in greece and has a total population of about 1 million.
The island of spinalonga lies off the northeastern coast of crete, just. Set in a venetianstyle building, it overlooks the cretan sea. The millioncopy number one bestseller a moving and. May 18, 2011 from patmos to crete, santorini to rhodes, these photos take you inside the mediterraneans breathtaking greek islands. It was selected for the richard and judy summer read, and won victoria the newcomer of the year award at the galaxy british book awards 2007. Crete is, after all, a small universe teeming with beauties and treasures that you will probably. Apr 10, 2006 the backdrop of crete and the lifestyle of the community at the heart of the story are completely believable and honest, both in regard to the families of main focus and the medical treatment of those on the island not to be a spoiler. If you are looking to organize your holidays in crete, visit ferryhopper and find all the information about the island and its ferry connections. Please feel free to upload your favorite holiday picture. Elounda island villas are 1km from elounda town in the east of the greek island of crete. Crete is the fifth largest island in the mediterranean and the largest of the islands forming part of modern greece.
Victoria hislops first novel the island is an international bestseller. The island tv series about leper colony in spinalonga. These three greek islands will give you a handson experience of classical history and beyond. Crete is the largest of the greek islands and has plenty of sites to see, which is why a visitor must plan their trip wisely. Blue sea beach hotel is a 5star accommodation comprising 225 soundproof rooms just outside paralia stalidas. The island a best selling book becoming a tv series. Just north is elounda, a popular family resort, and offshore is spinaloga island, inspiration behind the book the island. Paradise island villas luxury villas crete prodromos s. It has won several awards including newcomer of the year at the 2007 british book awards. The novel is based on real stories from real women who lived through the unease of the nazi occupation of the island in1943. Enter your dates and choose from 7,459 hotels and other places to stay. In koufonisi, you will find the desert exotic landscape of chrissi, without cedars, but with long history back to centuries. Find the easiest way to travel between greek islands, and enjoy a hasslefree island hopping journey.
Set on the island of spinalonga, off the coast of crete. Victoria hislops book the island is an atmospheric and moving novel. There is a bar on the island where you can enjoy great cocktails and next to the bar you can eat freshly grilled food. The book may be a little large to carry with you but it is certainly an excellent way to prepare your next trip to crete and get an appetite for your next holiday. The largest of the greek islands, crete has served as a melting pot of cultures since ancient times. When alexis decides to visit crete, however, sofia gives her daughter a letter to take to. Official online booking engine for the island concept crete, greece. Santorini this greek island is known for its picturesque, whitewashed villages that scale the steep cliffs overlooking the aegean. The great walks of crete travel guide for island crete, greece. It is relatively long and narrow, stretching for 160 miles 260 km on its eastwest axis and varying in width from 7. The short story spinalonga by john ware, about a tourist group that visits the island, was included in the th pan book of horror. February 2020 march 2020 april 2020 may 2020 june 2020 july 2020 august 2020 september 2020 october 2020 november 2020 december 2020 january 2021 february 2021 march 2021 april. The island has been translated into more than twenty languages, and has been a bestseller in many countries around the world. As the story of the leper colony unfolds, the story of the young woman searching for her roots seems to evaporate, especially because the leper colony story based on.
The island hotel, adults only resort, offers sensational experiences, on the exotic island of crete, greece. Leave your crete hotel by airconditioned coach and travel to the minoan palace of knossos, one of the islands showstopping historical attractions. The unnamed narrator is a scholarly, introspective writer who opens a coal mine on the fertile island of crete. Discover the best of this aegean isle during the quieter winter months when the crowds have dissipated and the weather is mild. It is a fictional story based on true events and conditions regarding the island of spinalonga in crete.
Finally, crete is one of the most vibrant islands in terms of nightlife, as the island hosts some of the largest parties and festivals of the greek islands. Located opposite makrigialos of lasithi, koufonisi is full of dunes leading to beaches with crystal blue waters the minoan archaeological site in koufonisi. It is located in the southern part of the aegean sea separating the aegean from the libyan sea island morphology. Victoria hislop, however, has found a very different island, off crete, for her first book. If youre looking for something really special, a 5star hotel on crete can on average be found for. The 10 best crete hotels where to stay on crete, greece. After a mythology tour in athens, youll travel to rhodes for winding medieval old town streets and fortresses, crete s palace of knossos and some refreshment from ancient vines, and the same spots on corfu visited in homers famous epic poetry. The setting then shifts to the past, as the mothers friend tells a detailed story about how a nearby island thus the book s title served as a leper colony from 19031957. Boasting one of the most beautiful natural landscapes youve ever seen, crete island offers views and experiences galore. I am in my mid eighties, having been brought up in a large country town in wheatbelt western australia, so can parallel the life i lead with the period and characters. A beautiful 10th anniversary paperback edition that includes a new essay by victoria hislop on the impact of this million. Island of secrets is the debut novel by patricia wilson which is set mostly in the crete village of amiras, where patricia once lived.
The island is a historical novel written by victoria hislop. The book was also nominated for the book of the year award at the same event. Zorba the greek faber fiction classics published in greek in 1946 as vios kai politia tou alexi zormpa. Crete greece is the biggest island in greece and one of the biggest islands in the mediterranean. One of the most spectacular beaches in crete can be found off the western side of the island, about 60 kilometers drive from chania. The backdrop of crete and the lifestyle of the community at the heart of the story are completely believable and honest, both in regard to the families of main focus and the medical treatment of those on the island not to be a spoiler. Keen to preserve the integrity of the book and to give something back to the. Koufonisi, one of the hidden islands near crete koufonisione of the wellhidden paradise islands near crete. On the ferryhopper pages, you can find information on the hottest cretan destinations such as heraklion, chania and rethymnon to plan your ferry trip. The island is further assigned to the area of kalydon. Crete is the largest island in greece and the fifth largest island in the mediterranean sea. Boasting one of the most beautiful natural landscapes youve ever. In fact, the largest bones that have ever been found were discovered on this very same island, which may prove this was truly the home or the land of giants.
Travel writer hislops unwieldy debut novel opens with 25yearold alexis leaving britain for crete, her mother sofias homeland, hoping to ferret out the secrets of sofias past and thereby get a handle on her own turbulent life. As you explore coastal villages and ancient sites, unravel the history of the minoans, romans, ottomans and others. This 2star venue offers a beachfront accommodation in proximity to lake kournas. Book your ferry tickets for the islands of greece, italy and turkey. The biggest and most popular settlements in crete that include important ports are heraklion, chania, rethymno and agios nikolaos, as well as sitia and ierapetra. After a mythology tour in athens, youll travel to rhodes for winding medieval old town streets and fortresses, cretes palace of knossos and some refreshment from ancient vines, and the same spots on corfu visited in homers famous epic poetry. Here, you can admire the remnants of brilliant civilizations, explore glorious beaches, impressive mountainscapes, fertile valleys and steep gorges, and become part of the islands rich gastronomic culture. You can also travel by sea from kissamos port, which includes the small island of gramvousa on its way to balos beach. A guide to spinalonga island, crete travel passionate. Experience this ancient island like a local during the quieter winter months when the climate is mild. I was recommended to read this book when i was in crete, and a friend said i needed to read this book then visit spinalonga the island in the title so i downloaded it to my kindle app and read it on the thursday and visited the island on the friday. This is a really good read, thought provoking and well worth using for a book club choice.
With an area of about 3,300 square miles, crete is divided into four prefectures or districts chania, rethymnon, heraklion and lasithi which quarter the island from west to east. A, anissaras, po box 2095, gr 70014 hersonissos, crete, greece, crete island, greece while staying in the luxury hotel guests can relax in an outdoor pool or in the barbeque restaurant on site. The rocky islet of spinalonga is located in the gulf of elounda, directly opposite the village of plaka in northeastern crete. The island is about 150 miles long from east to west, and its width ranges from 35 miles at its widest point and 7. Set on the island of spinalonga, off the coast of crete, and on the village of plaka. The official greek name of the island today is kalydon. I am in my mid eighties, having been brought up in a large country town in wheatbelt western australia, so. It is near the spinalonga peninsula large spinalonga which often causes confusion as the same name is used for both. Jun 11, 2019 the rocky islet of spinalonga is located in the gulf of elounda, directly opposite the village of plaka in northeastern crete. Alternatively, there are yearround scheduled flights via athens. Crete is an island southeast of greece along the imaginary boundary between the aegean sea and the mediterranean sea. Spinalonga cretes tragic leper island, and more of joanna.
Hislops deep research, imagination and patent love of crete creates a convincing portrait of times on the island. Crete is the place where myths look like history and history is like a myth. Sofias friend fortini tells alexis of her grandmother anna, and greataunt maria. Well even let you know about secret offers and sales when you sign up to our emails. It talks of the leper colony on the island of spinalonga, in crete during the. They lie on a tiny island attached by a causeway to the main part of crete, by air its easiest to fly into heraklion also called iraklion, which mainly has charter flights. Book the best crete island vacations crete island flexible. Pliny in the 6th chapter of the 7th book of his natural history, speaks of a mountain in crete that had been overturned by an earthquake and that had uncovered the bones of a massive giant.