Gramvousa - Balos (Blue Lagoon) |
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Starting
early, heading west, after a short breakfast stop near Rethymnon and a
drive past Chania, we reach the Port of Kissamos or Kavonissi. Here we
board our boat for a pleasant sail along the coastline. On the way you can
see the signs of the
impressive geological phenomenon of land elevation by 6 to 9 meters above
sea level (Crete has been
rising out of the sea on the western side and sinking on the eastern side
for more than 2000 years). After
approximately one hour, our boat arrives in the port of the pirate island
of Gramvousa. During the
Turkish occupation, the residents of the island started looting boats
passing through, which gained the island its pirate reputation.
According to Homer, Gramvousa is the island of Aeolus in “Odyssey”. It
is a protected biotope, hosting over 400 plant species and the habitat of
over 100 bird species, the Mediterranean seal Monachus Monachus and the
sea turtle “Caretta-Caretta”. Here you can visit the Venetian Castle,
which was built in 1579 on the top of a steep rock, at the highest point
of the island and it’s one of the most impressive castles in Greece. The
spectacular view, the marvelous landscape and the “legend of the
Pirate’s hidden treasure” is an attraction not to be missed. As well
as your visit to the castle, you have plenty of time for swimming or
having lunch on board (optional). Our
boat then departs for the Blue Lagoon of Balos, a shallow and warm water
lagoon, which brings to
memory similar lagoons in the Caribbean. Here
the crystal-clear, azure colored sea water, in combination with the white
sand makes this place unique, and one of the most beautiful beaches all
over the world. Your stay at the lagoon, where you can enjoy a fantastic
swim, will be approximately three hours, before boarding our boat for the
return sail. |
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