Highlands of Crete | 06 Jan 2017
35.3439° N, 23.9046° E
If you have been to the largest and most diverse of the Greek Islands during its long and warm summers, you have definitely enjoyed its numerous endless golden beaches under clear blue skies and high temperatures. But if you haven’t visited the island’s highlands in January or February, you may find this hard to believe. Surprising as it may seem, what shown on this photo, is one of the many faces of Crete. The White Mountains (‘Lefka Ori’) of Crete are spectacular providing stunning views during early summer months, when the beautiful Cretan beaches are blessed with an alpine backdrop. However, one of their most valued characteristic is that they are a natural ‘reservoir’ and provider of water throughout the long dry periods in Crete. The steady flow of water down from the mountains to the olive groves and fruit orchards throughout spring, summer and autumn is what makes the region of Chania the greenest part of Crete.