Blogs from Arkadi, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, Europe

From Vanessa at MarketWatch: Research supports the idea that exposure to diverse cultures and people promotes personal growth and learning, which in turn, contributes to keeping your mind sharp and young. The possibility of stagnation and immobility (both mind and body) motivates me to embark on group trips, despite my introvert-influenced reluctance of meeting new people. An 80-year-old url=https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2017/04/over-nearly-80-years-harvard-study-has-been-showing-how-to-live-a-healthy-and-happy-life/Harvard study confirmed that community, relationships and how happy we are in them influences our health as we grow older. As we age, many of us lose people (through death or otherwise) when, arguably, url=https://karger.com/ger/article-abstract/66/3/286/148324/The-Increasing-Importance-of-Fri... read more

Did I ever think I would visit the famous Palace of Knossus when I took Classics 17AB at UC Berkeley in the 60s? No, we only took the class to fulfill the humanities requirement, and pad the old GPA, if you know what I mean. From Live Science: The Palace of Knossos is located just south of modern-day Heraklion near the north coast of Crete. Built by a civilization that we call the Minoans, it covers about 150,000 square feet (14,000 square meters), the size of more than two football fields, and was surrounded by a town in antiquity. The site came to prominence in the early 20th century when it was excavated and restored by a team led by British archaeologist Arthur Evans. When the palace was first constructed "it must have been a remarkable ... read more

From MSN/Mediafeed: The largest of the Greek islands, Crete is another fantastic warm winter destination in Europe, enjoying mild temperatures during the winter months, with an average temperature of 59°F to 68°F. Crete is also home to fantastic beaches, ancient ruins, and picturesque villages. Crete is the largest island in Greece and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. There is so much to learn about Crete: Crete is believed to be one of the oldest civilizations in Europe, with evidence of human habitation dating back over 130,000 years. The island is known for its beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, and stunning mountain landscapes. Crete has a rich cultural heritage, with influences from ancient Minoan civilization, Byzantine culture, and Venetian and Ottoman rule. The island is ... read more