Alpine Interface: Hiking / Walking in the Mediterranean Countries
Crete, Croatia
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean, almost completely enclosed by land:
On the north by Europe, on the south by Africa, and on the east by Asia.
The connection to the Atlantic (Strait of Gibraltar) is only 14 km wide.
The Mediterranean Sea has been one of THE main transport ways in ancient times, allowing for trade and exchange between emergent peoples of the region - the Mesopotamian, Egqyptian, Semitic, Persian, Phoenician, Carthaginian, Greek and Roman cultures.
The history of the Mediterranean is crucial to understanding the origin and development of Western Civilzation.
CRETE
Crete's stunning natural beauty is equalled only by the richness of a culture that spans millenia.
Crete was the foundation of Greek mythology, and legend has it that the God Zeus was born and raised within the island's caves.
Crete is an agricultural island and its south coast even more so.
500 hundred year old olive orchards and vineyards provide shade for us as we follow ancient paths and old roman roads, where hill top villages welcome us and allow stunning views of the Libyan Sea.
The island is unique in the variety of experiences packed into a relatively small space: Relax on the beach, hike through gorges and along the coast, visit an archaeological site, spend an evening listening to Cretan songs in a taverna....the possibilities are endless.
The Cretans are proud, patriotic, religious, and famous for their hospitality. One of the remarkable features of Cretan life is the ability to maintain many aspects of their culture in the face of the seasonal invasion of foreign tourists.
CROATIA
Croatia extends from the furthest eastern edges of the Alps in the north-west to the Pannonian lowlands and the banks of the Danube in the east; its central region is covered by the Dinara mountain range, and its southern parts extend to the coast of the Adriatic Sea.
With a coastline of approximately 6000 kilometers and 1246 islands, Croatia is a paradise for those looking for calm water kayaking in the midst of striking natural beauty and nearly 2000 years of history.
With a Mediterranean climate and a stable government, Croatia is fast becoming THE place to visit in Europe.
