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Captivating Crete: A Mediterranean Jewel with Dimitra Pilarinou
Captivating Crete: A Mediterranean Jewel with Dimitra Pilarinou

Captivating Crete: A Mediterranean Jewel with Dimitra Pilarinou


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Join local expert Dimitra Pilarinou to discover Crete: a stunning island with incomparable history.  This virtual voyage to the jewel of the Greek Mediterranean Sea will delight and inspire.
Homer described Crete as an island ''in the midst of the wine-dark sea." The largest of the Greek islands, Crete is the fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Crete is unique among the Aegean islands: it is a condensed continent, where one can experience dramatic changes in its majestic landscape: soaring snow-capped mountains with deep ravines and dark caves alternate with fertile valleys, olive groves, and sandy beaches with crystal clear waters, in a never-ending dance of natural beauty. Enjoying one of Europe's finest mild climates, Crete is the blessed island when it comes to its agriculture: olives, grapes, horticultural products paired with wild greens, meat, and fish are the critical components of Cretan gastronomy: One of the healthiest and most delicious in the world.
Crete's amazing scenery was the backdrop of Europe's first advanced civilization, the Minoans. They graced the island with their extraordinary palaces destined to become in the course of millennia the stuff of myths and legends. Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Venetians, Ottomans followed and left their imprint on the culture of the only island that has been a part of every single empire. Charming, picturesque villages harmoniously coexist with ancient Greek and Roman ruins, Venetian castles, and Ottoman minarets. Amidst this extraordinary blend of natural beauty and Crete’s history, the Cretan people, proud of their island’s heritage, are extraordinarily open-hearted and hospitable: real children of ''Xenios" Zeus, the God of hospitality, who was born on Crete and never left...
Led by an expert on Crete’s history, archaeology, and culture, Dimitra Pilarinou, this interactive seminar will offer a thorough introduction to the island of Crete: its landscape, history, culture, gastronomy, towns, and villages. Designed to inform curiosity and future travels, participants will come away with an increased knowledge of the wonders that Crete has to offer.

Dimitra Pilarinou is a Greek archaeologist and Licensed Tour Guide with a Masters degree in Prehistoric Archaeology of the Aegean. She has worked in excavations all around Greece, has given speeches on various topics in Seminars and Congresses, and has appeared on documentaries about the Minoans on History Channel and Travel Channel.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 56 reviews
95%
(53)
5%
(3)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
M
Michelle B (Regina, CA)
Captivating Crete

Once again, Dimitra does an amazing job of presenting the highlights, adding context to make the information fascinating and meaningful.

A
Alice Trusty (Moose Jaw, CA)
Crete has captivated my interest

This was a great presentation. Dimitra a fantastic presenter

A
A. (Concord, US)
Outstanding, informative lecture.

We learned so much about the history, geography, and beauty of Crete in this informative and picturesque talk. We will look forward to our next trip to Crete, to see places discussed by Dimitra.

C
C.T. (Unionville, US)

I loved the voyage around Crete which was most informative. Dimitra makes me want to go. As always, she
gives us an inspiring hour.

n
n.l. (Newberry, US)
I wish Dimitra could lecture about EVERY place I plan a trip to!

Last spring, perhaps 6 weeks before 8 of us traveled to Crete for a week, I happened upon this lecture, and it was a stroke of good fortune. I had done absolutely no research, and learned SO much, that I was not only far more excited for our trip, but was able to easily use the information I'd gained to do a bit more web-surfing and prioritize which sites to see.
We then had the extraordinary luck to have Dimitra as a guide for 2 of our days on Crete. Fantastic reviews from all of us. My husband and I were leaving for Athens after, and she gave us great tips on that, and the other 6 were taking a day trip to Santorini. They all reported that without Dimitra's advice, their day would have been fairly awful!
While I don't see us returning to Crete for a long time (would love to, but just too many other places to see), I would not hesitate for a moment to learn from Dimitra on these lectures!

Customer Reviews

Based on 56 reviews
95%
(53)
5%
(3)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
M
Michelle B (Regina, CA)
Captivating Crete

Once again, Dimitra does an amazing job of presenting the highlights, adding context to make the information fascinating and meaningful.

A
Alice Trusty (Moose Jaw, CA)
Crete has captivated my interest

This was a great presentation. Dimitra a fantastic presenter

A
A. (Concord, US)
Outstanding, informative lecture.

We learned so much about the history, geography, and beauty of Crete in this informative and picturesque talk. We will look forward to our next trip to Crete, to see places discussed by Dimitra.

C
C.T. (Unionville, US)

I loved the voyage around Crete which was most informative. Dimitra makes me want to go. As always, she
gives us an inspiring hour.

n
n.l. (Newberry, US)
I wish Dimitra could lecture about EVERY place I plan a trip to!

Last spring, perhaps 6 weeks before 8 of us traveled to Crete for a week, I happened upon this lecture, and it was a stroke of good fortune. I had done absolutely no research, and learned SO much, that I was not only far more excited for our trip, but was able to easily use the information I'd gained to do a bit more web-surfing and prioritize which sites to see.
We then had the extraordinary luck to have Dimitra as a guide for 2 of our days on Crete. Fantastic reviews from all of us. My husband and I were leaving for Athens after, and she gave us great tips on that, and the other 6 were taking a day trip to Santorini. They all reported that without Dimitra's advice, their day would have been fairly awful!
While I don't see us returning to Crete for a long time (would love to, but just too many other places to see), I would not hesitate for a moment to learn from Dimitra on these lectures!