CRETE: HOME OF THE ANCIENT MINOANS, Guest Post by Steve Scheaffer and Karen Neely

View of seaside village at Lygria, on the north coast of Crete, just west of Iraklio.

My brother Steve and his wife Karen traveled to the Greek island of Crete in September, staying in hotels in Elounda, Heraklion and Chania.  Crete, with a history going back thousands of years, was an opportunity to visit museums and ancient sites, as well as to enjoy the Mediterranean climate and fruits (and wine and olives) grown by today's inhabitants. Steve and Karen have graciously agreed to share a few of their photos with The Intrepid Tourist. 

Their first night in Greece was spent at the Cypria Hotel in Athens, and from there they flew to Heraklion on Crete. Here's the view from their room at the Elounda Ilion Hotel on Main Street.

Ships and ferries in port as seen from the Elounda Ilion Hotel. 

Near Heraklion is the Palace of Knossos, center of the ancient Minoan civilization (1600 - 1400 BC.) Steve and Karen did a tour of the palace as well as visiting the Archeological Museum.

Palace at Knossos, Crete (rebuilt from archeological remains.)

Replicas of paintings discovered at Knossus. The original paintings are on view at the museum.

Typical street in Epano Archanes, a small village south of Iraklio up in the mountains. Although the narrow streets are used by cars, they are pedestrian friendly. 

Doorway to home in Epano Archanes. Note bowl to feed local cats--which are found everywhere in Crete.

Blue glass container for olive oil tasting. 

Purchasing olive oil directly from the maker. Olive oil is a major export of Crete.

Wagon with ancient olive tree behind. Olive groves were all over the island.

The olive tree of Vouves, on Crete. This tree, which has a trunk 15 feet in diameter, is at least 2,000 years old, and likely 2,900 years old, based on the graveyard found nearby. This tree likely lived through the writing of the Iliad, the golden age of Athens, the rise of the Roman Empire, and the birth of Christ and then lived for 2,000 years after that. It still produces olives, as well.

Results of day spent at a cooking lesson at a country villa with a group of 10 other people.  Using local ingredients they prepared stuffed tomatoes and peppers, filled pastries, made toasted bread with tomatoes and goat cheese, along with a bowl of tzatziki, a classic Greek side dish made with yogurt, cucumbers, garlic and olive oil.

 

View from their room on the top floor of the Porto del Columbo Boutique hotel in Chania. The Lighthouse of Chania is visible at the entrance to the harbor. 

Housed in an imposing, tall, 650 year old building, the Porto del Columbo Boutique Hotel has gathered a rich history over the centuries. During the Ottoman days, inhabited by senior members of the Turkish military who made many changes in the architecture of the building – still retained the metal rings nailed to the walls. In the early 19th century, the building was used as a French embassy and later inhabited by the great Greek politician Eleftherios Venizelos, who used it as a political office until moving to Athens when he took power as prime minister of Greece. 

With many thanks to Steve and Karen for providing us with a vicarious trip to Crete!

MADEIRA, PORTUGAL: Islands in the Sun, Guest post by Steve Scheaffer and Karen Neely

Promenade frente mar, Funchal, Madeira

My brother Steve and his wife Karen recently returned from a relaxing vacation in Madeira. I have never been there and I had to look it up on a map! It is one of the two autonomous regions of Portugal, an archipelago situated in the Atlantic Ocean, just under 400 kilometers (250 miles) to the north of the Canary Islands and 520 kilometers (320 miles) west of Morocco. 

City of Funchal Azulejo (blue and white tiles typical of Portugal)

The capital of Madeira is Funchal, located on the main island's south coast. The region is noted for its famous namesake wine, delicious food, historical and cultural sites, flora and fauna, dramatic landscapes including the laurel forests that are classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its embroidery artisans.  

TWA Hotel at JFK

Steve and Karen did a package trip to Madeira, flying from Seattle to JFK in New York, staying overnight at the TWA Hotel, then flying the next day via Azores Air to Madeira. 

Balcony of Savoy Palace in Funchal, looking eastward.

They stayed for two weeks at the Savoy Palace in Funchal, Madeira, doing day trips in the city and the surrounding countryside.

Monte Palace Garden, part of an imposing estate constructed for an 18th-century consul and now home to over 750,000 square feet of botanical gardens filled with native and imported plants.

Shortly after arriving, they sent this email: So far this is a fun place to visit. Lots of tourism and weather that's better than Winter. So far the food is really good and different. We took the gondola up to Monte today to see the garden up there. It's 550 meters high and the clouds lowered as well as the temp so we rode the lift back down. 

Wicker basket sleds--quickest way to the bottom of the hill.

On Sunday we might go back up so we can ride down in a wicker sled. Lots of folks from the EU here.

Ribeira da Janela–Northside

Steve and Karen have graciously offered to share a few of their many excellent photos of Madeira. In some ways the landscape reminds me of Hawaii (all the volcanic rock and steep cliffs) but it seems even greener. And the architecture makes me think of Portugal. I think you will enjoy the pictures as much as I have. Madeira is now on my bucket list for future travel!

Ponta do Sol, west island.

Market stall with red peppers.

Igreja da Nossa Senhora, Monte

Madeira Island Laurel Forest “Laurissilva”, UNESCO site.

 

The Laurel forest up in the middle of the island.

Typical route to interior of the island.

Cabo Girao. View straight down from glass bottomed walkway 580 meters above sea level.

One of two rivers in downtown Funchal.

Jardin Botanico, Funchal.

Karen and Steve