7Crete – For Culture, Wine, and Mountain Escapes


Crete, Greece’s largest island, remains vibrant well into November. The Cretans’ love for hospitality never wanes, and autumn offers a more genuine window into their world. The island’s southern beaches around Loutro and Paleochora still welcome swimmers, while mountain villages like Archanes and Anogeia come alive with the aroma of freshly pressed olive oil and roasted chestnuts.

This is also the season of the rakokazana, the traditional distillation of raki. Travelers can join locals in rustic celebrations filled with laughter, folk music, and home-cooked dishes. Meanwhile, vineyards around Heraklion and Chania host harvest events, making autumn the perfect time to taste Cretan wines like Vilana and Kotsifali straight from the source. With fewer crowds, visiting the Palace of Knossos or hiking the Samaria Gorge becomes an experience of peaceful discovery.

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