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Crete at Easter

Dear Colette and other Medit persons,

This is a reply to Colette Dunkley's posting about Crete, but I thought
it might be of general interest to the group...

Easter is definitely one of the best times to visit Crete, particularly
if you want too see an abundance of plants in flower, including bulbs and
orchids. The weather can be a bit unsettled (expect at least one day of 
showers), but the temperatures are up in the 70s when the sun shines.

As for places to visit, well, there are so many. Here are some of my 
favorite spots, arranged from west to east.

Nick Turland.

W. coast of Crete (Tigani lagoon on Korikos peninsula S. to 
Hrisoskalitissa monastery and Elafonisi island):

Nice unspoiled beaches with interesting beach flora, especially on
Elafonisi island, which you reach by wading the 3-foot-deep water for
about 100 feet.

Omalos plain in Lefka Ori (White Mountains):

Fallow fields on the flat plain (1075m) have tulips and anemones, while 
the surrounding mountains should have snow patches and crocus, scillas, 
etc.

The Samaria gorge, a famous tourist attraction, is spectacular but may 
well not be open to hikers before May 1st.

Aradena gorge and Agios Ioannis:

Take the road up from Hora Sfakion and cross the bridge over the gorge 
(just don't look down...) An ancient mule path goes down into the gorge, 
the deserted village of Aradena is very atmospheric. The area around Agios 
Ioannis (still inhabited) is ungrazed and therefore good for plants.

Imbros gorge:

Walk from Imbros village S. to the coast road. Amazing limestone gorge  
with narrow parts only a few feet wide at the bottom. Far fewer hikers 
than in the Samaria gorge. Good cliff flora.

Plakias region, including woodland at Agios Ioannis, N. of Plakias, 
through Kotsifos gorge:

Many different habitats. You could spend two whole weeks just walking in 
this area alone. The woodland at Ag. Ioannis is very pretty; almost 
un-mediterranean because it seems to lush in spring, with cypresses 
(Cupressus sempervirens), tree heather (Erica arborea), etc.

Katholiko monastery on N. side of Akrotiri peninsula:

Wonderful old ruined monastery set in a limestone gorge. Good plants too.

Gious Kambos plain E. of Spili

Cultivated mountain plateau rather like Omalos but lower (750m). Fallow 
fields and uncultivated hills very rich in bulbs and orchids (at least 25 
species of orchid). Also great drifts of red Tulipa doerfleri in good 
years, around mid April. Go to Spili from W. and take left turn to 
Gerakari. Drive a few miles E. up to plateau.

Mt Giouhtas (Jiouktas, various spellings) S. of Iraklio:

Excellent views and cliff flora at the summit. There is a church there 
now, but it used to be a Minoan summit sanctuary.

Lasithi plain in Dikti mountains:

Rather like Omalos but again lower (800m) and more intensely cultivated 
and populated. Very good plants in the fields and wet ditches. 

Katharo plain W. of Kritsa:

Yet another mountain plain. This is probably the wildest and remotest, at 
1400m, but still cultivated. It had no vehicular access until recently 
(1970s?), and the flora reflects the primitive agricultural methods that 
survived here later than elsewhere.

Pine woods below Thripti and Mt Afendis Kavousi:

Take dirt road from Neohori NE to Thripti, an attractive mountain village 
set among vineyards and pinewoods (good orchids). The mountain above is a 
fairly easy climb.

Palm beach at Vai (NE end of Crete):

Touristy, but worth visiting for the large grove of the Cretan palm, 
Phoenix theophrasti.

Books & maps:

Excursionsflora fur Kreta, Jahn & Schonfelder, Ulmer Books, 
(Stuttgart, Germany), 1995. Colour photos of 100 endemic plants, keys to 
identify all species, in German.

Flora of the Cretan area: annotated Checklist & atlas, Turland, Chilton & 
Press, Natural History Museum/HMSO (U.K.), 1993, reprinted 1995. Line 
drawings of c. 40 rare endemic plants, annotated checklist of all 
species, distribution maps of 90% of species, in English.

Flora of Crete: a supplement, Chilton & Turland, Marengo Publications 
(Retford, U.K.), 1997. Updates the above (many new species found since 
1993). Checklist and maps.

The Making of the Cretan Landscape, Rackham & Moody, Manchester University
Press (U.K.), 1997. Fascinating account of why Crete looks like it does!

Also several carefully researched plant lists, walking guides and maps for
various parts of the island available from Marengo Publications, email
Lance Chilton at marengopub@aol.com
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