The luxurious Domes Of Elounda Resort in Crete plays host to TV Chef James Martin and his new television programme for the Good Food Channel – ‘James Martin’s Mediterranean’. The series will be shown on the Good Food Channel and runs from Sunday 27th November until Thursday 1st December. In the series James sails around the Mediterranean in his own boat, exploring the diverse communities living on the Mediterranean coast. In each episode James meets up with local chefs, farmers and ex-pats to find out how best to cook the meat, fish, vegetables and fresh fruit of the Mediterranean. After each leg of his journey, James will invite the locals to sample three sumptuous meals he has cooked from the local ingredients he has discovered.

James Martin at The Domes of Elounda

The Domes of Elounda episode will be shown on Monday 28th November on The Good Food Channel which can be found at SKY/HD 249 and Virgin Channel 260.

The resort compromises of 80 extravagant suites, 4 Villas and 8 Private residences and provides the perfect backdrop for this innovative food series.

The Domes of Elounda Luxury Suites and Spa resort is the perfect choice for luxury holidays and honeymoons as well as luxury family holidays, with the addition of UK based Worldwide Kids Company managing the childcare facilities to a UK Ofsted standard.

Last minute holidays to the Domes of Elounda Resort are always available throughout the internet.

Whilst on your holidays to the island of Crete, why not take a hike along the Samaria Gorge, you won’t be disappointed!

Samaria Gorge

Also known as the Farangas or Great Gorge, the Samaria Gorge is located in West Creete, in the White Mountains and was declared a national park in 1962.
The Gorge starts at Xyloskalo and runs down for 16 kilometres to the seaside village of Agia Roumeli on the south coast of Crete. The walk the Samaria National Park is actually only 13 kilometres but you have to walk a further 3 kilometres to Agia Roumeli.

The most famous part of the gorge is the ‘Iron Gates’ where the gorge narrows to a width of just four metres, rising to a height of 500 metres.

Iron Gates

When the gorge was declared a national park, the inhabitants of Samaria Village were relocated. However old tradition houses still stand here. A short distance from the village is the church of Osia Maria (Holy Mary), from which the name Samaria was taken.

The plants and animals in the park are protected by International law, flowers must not be picked!

Cretian Wild Goat

Whilst hiking the gorge you will see magnificent plant species (about 450), pine trees and the huge cypress trees. You will also see the Cretian wild goats, known as ‘kri-kri’ by tourists and ‘agrimia’ by locals.

The best time to visit the gorge is during the spring when the weather is cooler, th worse time is during the summer in a heat wave!
The gorge is usually open from May to October but is closed on rainy days as the rain can cause rock falls.

Crete is a very popular destination, with many cheap holidays to the island advertised throughout the internet.

Crete

Crete is the most southern and the largest of the Greek Islands and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean.
The island has over 600 miles of coastline, complete with coves, bays and beautiful sandy beaches.

BEACHES

Crete has many beautiful beaches, some of the best in the world, too many to mention, but here are just a few

Elafonissi and Falasarna at Chania.

Chania

Georgioupolis, which is located on the north coast between Chania and Rethymno.
Vai in the northeast of the island.
Matala beach, located south of Heraklion.
Red beach is a naturist beach and is located in the south of the island.
 
THINGS TO DO

Sightseeing

Crete is steeped in history and has many museums, the most important being the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion. There are also many historical sites to visit, including the Minoan Palaces of Knossos and Phaestos, Malia, Gortyn and Zakros.

Walking and Riding

During the spring months Crete is perfect for walking, hiking and rambling. The island has a vast network of both country and coastal trails and ancient paths. The most popular walk on Crete is the Samaria Gorge which is both challenging and rewarding.

A great way to explore the beautiful island of Crete is to go on horseback. This way you can discover the ancient donkey trails, deserted beaches, quaint unspoilt villages, olive groves and vineyards.

Crete mountains

Mountains

The rugged mountains on Crete offer rock climbing, caving, mountain biking and even jeep tours.

Diving

There are plenty of places around the island for scuba diving and snorkelling, with several diving schools which provide courses for both beginners and experienced divers, and excursions.

Watersports

Because of the summer sunshine, constant wind and great beaches, Crete is ideal for jet skiing, water skiing, windsurfing, parasailing, kayaking, pedalos and banana boat rides.

CLIMATE

Crete has a Mediterranean climate, hot dry summers and mild winters.
In April temperatures reach 18C, with over 8 hours of sunshine a day, making the weather perfect for outdoor pursuits.
During May temperatures reach 20C, 22-24C in June, and peak at 27C in August with 13 hours of sunshine a day, making this the best time for beach holidays.
During September and October the temperature stays above 20C, with about 10 hours of sunshine a day.

January and February are the wettest months, with temperatures dropping to 12C and 4 hours of sunshine a day.