OUR TRAVELS
Photos of sightseeing enthusiasts
A TRIP ROUTE
INTERESTING STORIES
During the period of the greatest power of the Republic, Poles were eager to travel around the then known world. One of them was Mikołaj Krzysztof Radziwiłł, known as the Black, the main creator of the family's power. In December 1582, he arrived with his entourage in Venice, from where the journey to the Holy Land was most often started. Radziwiłł sailed along the Dalmatian and Greek coasts to Cape Matapan in the Pelopsos, from there to the Island of Crete, where the ship stopped in mid-May 1583. In Crete, Mikołaj Radziwiłł visited the Prince of Candia, Mikołaj Donatus. He also visited the ancient Cretan sites, the Labyrinth of Theseus and the city ruins. Then he reached Cyprus, where he changed to a smaller ship sailing to Palestine. The return journey was similar, but in changed weather conditions. A storm was raging in the Mediterranean Sea at that time and the ship could not find its way west. It was not until two weeks later that the ship reached the shores of Crete. Radziwiłł remained on the island waiting for the weather conditions to improve. At the beginning of February 1584, the Venetian ship set off from Crete and set course for the Apennine Peninsula. An account of the journey was written, which, in addition to information about the Holy Land, also included descriptions of the Greek coast and Crete.
Greece - Crete
July 2024
Although we've been to Crete twice and have explored it quite well, the island is so charming that Marta decided to go there with Julek for a week's all-inclusive stay. The choice fell on the small town of Istro located on the picturesque bay of Mirabello.
Crete is simply adored by Poles, and we share these preferences. The island is the birthplace of the Minoan civilization, famous for its beautiful views and sunny weather, and is relatively cheap. A week's stay does not give too many opportunities for additional travel and sightseeing, because you have to at least rest a little. A trip to Heraklion and visiting the ruins of the Minoan palace in Knossos was a great idea, and Julek liked the exhibition in the local archaeological museum the most.
The small resort town of Istro is located in the picturesque bay of Mirabello. There are several sandy and rocky beaches here, perfect for walks and lazy rest, which Julek eagerly took advantage of. Their greatest advantage is cleanliness, lack of crowds and beautiful views. Julek liked Voulisma beach the most, and his favorite activity was floating on a mattress.
Ajos Nikolaos
Although the origins of the city of Agios Nikolaos date back to the 3rd century BC, no spectacular monuments from that period have survived to this day. In its center is the picturesque Lake Voulismeni, where, according to legend, the goddess Athena bathed. Julek liked to walk along the seaside promenade the most, probably because it was lined with ice cream parlors. On the nearby Spilla peninsula is the church of St. Nicholas, one of the oldest on the island.
Heraklion
Knossos
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