The climate of Crete is probably the mildest in Europe. The strong northwesterly wind， the meltemi， moderates even the hottest months of July and August. Rainfall is rare during the summer months. Autumn is Crete，s mildest season， when temperatures are often higher than in spring. The mountains that run across the island act as a barrier to the weather， often creating different conditions in northern and southern Crete.
Three mountain ranges form a sort of spine stretching across the island. In western Crete， the Lefka Ori or White Mountains occupy a large area within the prefecture of Chania and contain more than 40 peaks over 2，000 meters high. The highest peak in this area is Pahnes， at 2，452 meters above sea level.
Some of the most characteristic natural beauties of the Cretan scenery consist of the famous Cretan gorges gorge n.咽喉， 胃， 暴食， 山峡， 峡谷， 障碍物 v.狼吞虎咽， 塞饱 which begin at the mountainous areas of the island and end to the sea. The green gorges a abound with rare species of flora and fauna which are protected by strict rules， as they are unique throughout Greece. Among them， one can admire rare species of cypresstrees， platans， pinetrees and wildflowers.
The most famous and significant gorge of Crete is the infamous gorge of Samaria， which impresses with its size and unique natural beauty， while on its slopes， one can admire the famous wild goat of Crete which is found nowhere else in Greece. Other significant gorges are the gorges of Imbros， Aradena， Agia Eirini， Kourtaliotis river and Tipoliano.
Crete is well known for the Cretan goat， otherwise called “krikri” which is found mainly in the Gorge of Samaria. The archaeological excavations excavation n.挖掘， 发掘， 挖掘成的洞， 出土文物， which have brouth to light many a wall paintings of the “krikri”， testify to the view that this animal was worshiped on the island during antiquity. Its rareness is one of the reasons that led to the Gorge of Samaria becoming a national park. However， “krikri” have been spotted in the nearby islands of Dia， Theodoros and Aghioi Pantes.
From the Cretan countryside， there could not been absent animals less rare， which are found in many parts of Greece. Among them， the rabbit， the wild cat or fourogatos and a unique kind of mouse. Among the birds， in the Cretan mountains we distinguish the golden eagle and the eagle Gyps Fulvous， while there are many kinds of traveling birds which make a stop on the island as they travel to the south.
There is lots to see on Crete， and a lot not to see. While the mountain villages and coastal towns on the Eastern and Western tips of the island have retained their traditions and their beauty， towns like Malia， and many of the beach towns in Northern Crete have been overrun by British package tours and gigantic gigantic adj.巨人般的， 巨大的 hotels owned by international travel cartels who have turned much of Crete into Nassau with Mousaka. Not to discourage those who are looking for a ClubMed style vacation. If that，s what you want， it is certainly here in quantity and in quality and two days in Crete is fine， though you might as well have spent the time on whatever island resort you just came from since it was probably not much different from what you will find in Crete.
Ports in Crete
There are 3 main choices of Cretan ports to arrive at that have daily ferries. Heraklion is a big city with traffic， noise and all the chaos that goes with a large population. It，s the closest place to ancient Knossos and for that reason many people go here first. It is the capital of the island so many of the travel agents， major hotels， car rental agencies， restaurants， nightlife and tours are based here， but that does not mean you have to be.
Chania and Rethymnon to the west of Iraklion are more my speed and maybe yours too. They are smaller but they have plenty of life， with great restaurants， hotels， and all that you will need， without the congestion of Iraklion. The only drawback drawback n.缺点， 障碍， 退还的关税， 退税(指进口货物再出口时退还其进口时的关税) is that they are so far away from Eastern Crete， but that is not a good enough reason not to stay here， nor is it a good reason to stay in Iraklion and make that your base because of its accessibility accessibility n.易接近， 可到达的 to the rest of the island.
There are also ferries to Ag. Nikolaos and Sitia a couple tikes a week in the summer and they connect you with Rhodes. There is a boat from the Peloponessos to Kastelli in western Crete but finding the schedule for this one is tough and unless you happen top be in the Peloponessos not very practical.
Crete is the largest and most southerly Greek island and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean.
It is divided into four prefectures， each with its own capital - Chania (Hania)， Rethymnon (Rethimno)， Iraklion (Herakleon)， and Agios Nikolaos. It is the favourite isle for many Europeans and Americans and it is easy to see why.
For nature lovers， there，s snow capped Mount Ida and the gorges of West Crete which are a feature of considerable considerable adj.相当大(或多)的， 值得考虑的， 相当可观的 interest. The most famous is the Samaria Gorge in the White mountains. It is 18 km long and 3~4 metres wide. In places it is as much as 600 metres deep.
And there，s a multitude multitude n.多数， 群众 of picturesque villages and lovely coastal resorts， like Ammoudara， Ag. Galini， Chora Sfakion， or the resorts of Aghios Nikolaos， Hersonissos， Malia and many others that are well worth a visit. In keeping with its wonderful sunshine record， there，s a wealth of excellent beaches around the entire island， particularly at Malia and along the north west coast.
The untamed rugged southern coast curls lazily along the Libyan Sea， facing the tropical tropical adj.热带的， 热情的 coast of Africa across the Mediterranean.
For the historically minded， the variety of archaeological treasures from the Minoan civilisation will delight even visitors bored with “old stones”.
The great palaces at Knossos， (palace of King Minos - home of the legendary Minotaur) Malia， and Phestos are only the first leg of a historical odyssey odyssey n. seys 长期的冒险旅行 that leads to Hellenic， Byzantine， and Venetian sites throughout the island.
Malia， Hersonissos as well as all the other provinces (Chania， Rethymnon， Heraklion and Lasithi) are great places to sample the carefree nightlife. Lively bars and tavernas are around every corner and with good food on the menu， and plenty of restaurants to choose from， you can enjoy eating out every night.
