Christmas in Crete

My brother Ralph, his friend and I spent Christmas on the Island of Crete in Greece last year.  Crete is definitely a tourist-based economy.  Just about everything was closed in December.  We flew into Heraklion, rented a car at the airport and stayed at an Airbnb right on the beach in Ligaria.  Because most everything was closed, we had to drive into Heraklion, about twenty minutes, for all of our needs. 

The natural colors in Crete are stunning.  Even in December.  I would like to return in the summer to see it in its glory.  I enjoy visiting places in their “off season”.  You get a better sense of a community when you have it all to yourself, sans tourists.  Being there for Christmas gave us an opportunity to witness local life.  People were friendly and kind.  (English is not prominently known.)

We drove into the big city of Heraklion, just about, every day of our visit to Crete.  We found a bakery to frequent for breakfast and an excellent restaurant for dinner (so fantastic it will have its very own article, watch for Peskesi).   We went into town on Christmas Eve and toured the outdoor markets.  The fish market was stocked with a variety of local catches.  From what I gathered, it is custom for businesses to be generous on Christmas Eve.  For instance, there was a young lady making Turkish coffee and giving it away as a gift to passersby.  What a treat. 

Crete is quiet in December, lovely and peaceful.  We assumed that absolutely everything would be closed on Christmas, so we did not go into town on the 25th.  Christmas was spent on the beach looking back at mountains.  The water is a captivating blue.  Crete has a gentle pace in the winter.  I am fortunate to have spent a holiday in its presence.