Easter is considered as the most important religious and cultural event in Greece and it is cherished in many different ways. Easter in Greek is called “Paska” or “Pasha” (Πάσχα) and it is the most important holiday of the Greek Orthodox Church.

Greek Orthodox Easter usually occurs one to five weeks after its western equivalents (Catholic Easter, etc), whereas once every four years it occurs concurrently with them.

During Holy Week many Greek radio and television programs are dedicated to religious broadcasts. Fasting commences on Clean Monday (Kathara Deftera), the day after the Carnival. It is a bank holiday and it marks the beginning of Lent and 49 days of fasting; however most modern Greeks only only fast during the Holy Week (Megali Evdomada) on the lead-up to Easter. Church functions are carried out throughout the Holy Week.

It is typical for families to dye eggs in red color (a metaphor for the blood of Christ) and bake Easter delicacies, such as “chourekia” (sweet pastries) and “kalitsunia” (cheese pies), to be consumed after Easter Sunday and when fasting is over.

The first great event is held on Good Friday (26 April 2019). It is a day of mourning and the bells of churches ring wistfully in the morning. In the evening, the Epitafios, Christ’s funeral bier, is decorated with flowers. The church service begins at 7pm and around 8:30 pm the bier is carried through the city/village streets around the church, followed by the congregation of the people, dressed in all black.

Easter Saturday (Megalo Savato) the children in Cretan villages prepare a bonfire and place a figure of Judas in the fire, to punish for his betrayal of Christ.

Anastasi (Resurrection) takes place at midnight and it is the highlight of Greek Easter. After 11pm the Churches are packed with devotees who want to pick up the Holy Flame at midnight (it comes every year from Jerusalem by plane).

Probably the last place at which you would expect to see snow is Rethymno, Crete. Every year thousands of travellers visit the island of Crete to enjoy the sun, staying in a self-catering holiday home, or a hotel. When you think of Rethymno the first thing that comes to mind is warm weather. However 2017 was the first year it snowed in downtown Rethymno since 2004! Here are some photos:

Don't worry; the snow has already melted and the weather will be really warm again by April. Book your next holiday to Rethymno now!

Rethymno is a popular destination and Crete is one of the most visited Greek islands. In the past, visitors of Rethymno and Crete were only able to experience it through commercial hotels and busy resorts. Today many travellers prefer self-catering accommodation. Now you can rent a holiday home in Rethymno for comfort, privacy and a chance to experience Crete like a local!

There are many great restaurants in Rethymno that provide excellent quality for an affordable price. Alana offers traditional Cretan dishes in a cosy environment. Fanari is a family owned restaurant on the promenade with a great selection of sea food. Petite Fleur offers Greek and international dishes in a romantic setting.

​Rethymno region has many sandy beaches. Rethymno downtown beach starts after the marina and is within walking distance from the center. There is food & beverage service provided in most sections of the beach. Enjoy an ice cold margarita while sunbathing! Platanes beach is not far from Rethymno city center and is another popular choice for visitors of Rethymno. It is usually frequented by young travellers and has a slight party atmosphere. Petres beach is a 30 minute drive from Rethymno town and it can also be reached by bus. It is very calm and quiet, excellent to relax and relief some stress. Agia Galini village beach is an excellent for families and there are many traditional tavernas in the village nearby.

The Rimondi Fountain was created by the Venetian governor J. Rimondi in 1626 on the foundations of another fountain to serve the needs of Rethymno's residents for running water. The castle of Fortezza in Rethymno was also built by Venetians and it served as defence against the city's enemies. Knossos in Heraklio was the capital city of Minoans who are credited as the first civilisation in the history of Europe!

You don't need a car to enjoy Rethymno! You can simply walk to all points of interest. If you stay in the Old Town there are many restaurants, bars and shops in close range. A sandy beach surrounds Rethymno city. There are many alleys which you can explore. If you need to go to the airport or visit Heraklio and Chania there is a frequent public bus service!

Rethymno is more of a traditional Greek town and not an overly commercialised tourist resort. There are plenty of activities for children such as playgrounds, sandy beaches, water parks, cycling routes, etc. And don't forget that kids simply love Greek food!

When choosing a holiday destination these days, safety always comes into consideration. You will be glad to know that Rethymno has a virtually zero crime rate. Crete is a peaceful island where nothing newsworthy ever happens - and that's a good thing!

The historic centre is the most visited area of Rethymno. Visitors of the Old Town can discover Venetian era buildings, picturesque narrow alleys and authentic Greek taverns. You can shop for souvenirs in one of the small stores in the quaint backstreets of the old quarter. There's always something new to discover in the Old Town of Rethymno!

Two islands are better than one! Why not take advantage of your time in Rethymno, Crete and take a direct ferry to Santorini? Perfect for a day trip, Santorini is breathtakingly beautiful. If you go there with your significant other, the memories will last a lifetime. Ferries from Rethymno to Santorini operate every Tuesday and Saturday.

If you enjoy hiking then Rethymno is perfect from you. There's a number of different excursions you can make in the surrounding area. The most popular trail is the one that goes through Samaria Gorge which is about 13 km long!

Rethymno has a large number of self-catering holiday homes for all budgets, from family homes to apartments and villas. If you are are looking for a spacious and fully-equipped house in the heart of the Old Town, City Center Holiday Home might be perfect for you!