The morning after we departed Athens for our 11-day Mediterranean cruise, we arrived in Iraklion on the Greek island of Crete. Crete was the home of the center of the ancient Minoan civilization, and on the outskirts of Iraklion sits the excavated site of the Palace of Knossos. Extending back possibly as far as 2000 B.C., the palace was abandoned some 800 years later and only came to be uncovered in the early 20th century. Myths involving King Minos, the Labyrinth and the Minotaur are linked to this area, and it’s a worthwhile place to visit. However, both my husband and I had done so on previous, separate visits, so on this return we opted to simply stroll through town.

Iraklion is the 4th largest city in Greece, but we were able to cover most of the downtown area easily in four or five hours. What I liked about so many of the ports we visited on this cruise is that the ship docked at piers within walking distance of the town, so we could leave the ship and return at our leisure to explore what and when we chose. Our route on this day took us around a harbor lined with leisure and fishing boats. Many of the fishermen were washing down decks and cleaning gear after a morning out on the sea; and as we approached the city walls, stalls set up to sell the morning’s catch lined the way. 

One doesn’t have to look very hard in the eastern Mediterranean to see evidence of the power of Venice from the 14th century onward. Iraklion is just one of many locales where the lion of St. Mark appears prominently on fortresses and high, thick walls protecting a valuable seaport and trading center.

We enjoyed our time ambling around Iraklion. This was the Tuesday of the Greek Orthodox Easter week, so for many it was a holiday. Some attractions were closed, but most shops catering to tourists were doing a lively business. Nevertheless, there remained the more relaxed atmosphere of a community on holiday. It made for a gentle, pleasant introduction to the first day of our cruise.

— Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor