No offense to anyone else on the gorgeous isle of Crete, of course, as I have learned since traveling here that Cretans first take pride in their island, and then their country. But Heraklion is in desperate need of a face-lift. Luckily we were a good two hours away, in the remote village of Analipsi, Makrigialos.

We spent last Saturday in Berlin, Germany, checking out sites such as the remnants of the Berlin Wall, including the Topography of Terror which walks you right through the History of it exceptionally well. Then Saturday night we departed to the Heraklion airport on the southern Greek island of Crete. We may have landed at 11:00pm… But it was still a humid 25 degrees out, which gave us an idea of what to expect that week.

We then retrieved our luggage and left the terminal to a movie-like-moment of Dylan’s name displayed on a sign- and there waited our ride: an M&M-green, drop-top Chevy Matiz.

The drive from Heraklion (located on central-north Crete) to south-eastern Makrigialos took us just under 2 hours. We obviously couldn’t see too many sights in the dark, but we had the car all week to explore the amazing island.

We literally swam in the sea daily. We visited various beaches, each with their own character- from white to beige sand, rocky steep white cliffs, to multi-coloured pebbles. All located at the edge of the illustrious, clean and clear aquablue Aegean sea. I hate to have cheated on my beloved Pacific Ocean, but I truly fell in love.

The island of Crete is peppered with various small villages throughout the valleys beneath it’s multiple mountain ranges. Each area has at least half a dozen Medieval or Minoan sites, caves and gorges to explore.

One of the few we walked through was just north of Makrigialos, near Sitia, a Venetian Village from the early 1700′s called Etia. Most buildings including the church are still standing, it was incredible.

Villea Village Resort

Our hotel in Analipsi was an incredible last-minute find through work. Villea Village Resort was literally 100 meters from our favourite Cretan beach and had everything we could possibly need. We met the owner, Vasili, who takes groups out daily on gorge-walks, and samples local Cretan wines and olive oils at night.

We also got to know our bartender, Nikko, at Fisherman Jack’s Poolside Bar well, as they had a wide selection of board games, an array of available afternoon snacks, and a friendly team of staff to educate and entertain the guests. Amazing people and an amazing little village that I will definitely revisit in the future.

As for today, we found ourselves off Crete and exploring a few sites in Athens. At the moment we’re awaiting our (unfortunately delayed until 6pm) flight to Rome, Italy for a few days in the Ancient City. First thing tomorrow I’m hoping to check out the site of Caesar’s assassination, and the Colosseum, to name just a few spots. Until then… Here is hoping I’ll hold onto this tan I picked up in Greece!

We’re flying into Frankfurt, Germany, the 8th largest airport in the world, and the 3rd busiest airport as far as passenger traffic goes in all Europe, behind London’s ‘Heathrow’ and Paris’s ‘Charles de Gaulle’. From there we’re traveling counter-clockwise through Western Europe: From Frankfurt to Amsterdam, the Netherlands for a while, then through Belgium & France down to Italy. There’s a possibility of a Greecian get-a-way in there, if we feel up to it (through a last-minute, inexpensive flight). Then before flying out of Frankfurt we’ll stop by Munich, for the 175th Oktoberfest. Only 101 days until it’s commencement date! Fitting way to end the trip, I’d say.

Oktoberfest began in 1810, a wedding celebration for the masses from crowned Prince Ludwig and his Princess Therese. The 16-day event sees around 6.2 million people each year at the Theresienwiese, from all over the world.

So, I now know from various sources to cross the busy roads with confidence, when in Rome. Coffee is less expensive in Venice when ordered standing up as opposed to seated at a table. To not use the convenient on-the-street toilet “pods” in Paris, pour des raisons de propreté (or, for cleanliness purposes, thank you cousin Ali). Tipping isn’t necessary, as it’s included on most restaurant bills. And Amsterdam is best experienced on bike… among many other tricks of the trade that will come to me only when faced with the journey.

Any other tips and advice are most welcome, even your own European (or non-European) vacation recollections, as I’m sure any information I can get will be of some use!