Crete Insiders

22/07/2025

Old port of Chania today 💙

22/07/2025

Angelou str. 💙

22/07/2025

🍯 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐚𝐤𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐨: 𝐀 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 + 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐈𝐭 𝐀𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 🍯
Warm, comforting, and rooted in tradition — Rakomelo is more than a drink. It’s part of our soul.

✨ 𝐀 𝐁𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲
Rakomelo has its roots in ancient Greek medicine, where it was used as a home remedy for sore throats and colds. It's a beautiful mix of two staples in Greek tradition: tsikoudia (or raki) and honey. The drink spread from the island of Crete to the Cyclades, and eventually across Greece.
Monks in the Byzantine era were among the first to record spiced honey spirits, and Cretans perfected it by adding cinnamon, cloves, and a warm hospitality spirit that survives to this day.

🧉 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐑𝐚𝐤𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐨?
It’s a cozy, spiced drink made by blending tsikoudia (grape-based spirit) with honey and aromatic spices.
🔥 Traditionally served warm — but also lovely over ice in the summer.

📝 𝐈𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:
• 1 cup tsikoudia
• 2–3 tablespoons honey (Cretan honey if possible)
• 1–2 cinnamon sticks
• 2–3 cloves
➕ Optional: orange peel or pinch of nutmeg

🍯 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐤𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐨 𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞:

𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭 the tsikoudia in a small pot (do not boil).

𝐀𝐝𝐝 honey and spices. Stir well until honey dissolves.

𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 on low for 5–10 mins.

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 & 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 warm in small glasses — or chill it and serve over ice for a summer twist.

💡 𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐤:
• Choose good-quality tsikoudia and honey
• Adjust sweetness to taste
• Feel free to play with spices (like star anise or cardamom)

🌟 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐥𝐥 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐤𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐨
• Tastes like a warm hug from Crete
• Traditional but fresh — perfect both cold and hot
• Easy to make at home with love

📸 𝐑𝐚𝐤𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐨 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞!
Make your own Rakomelo and share a photo using !
The best one will be featured on our page 🙌

➡️ Tried it before? Got your own twist? Share your story in the comments and let’s spread this cozy Cretan joy.

21/07/2025

Late afternoon in the old port of Chania 💙

21/07/2025

📅 TUESDAY 22/7/2025 at 20:00
🎻 STEPS OF THE LYRE

The Cultural Association of Hordaki “Skloka” and the Traditional Association “Stavraetoi” invite you to a beautiful journey through the heart of Chania’s Old Town.
🟠 Starting point: Maritime Museum of Crete
https://maps.app.goo.gl/RtPwffrgrd6xrYgh7
🟡 Stopping point: Giali Tzami Mosque
https://maps.app.goo.gl/rgyPvRWhPvk1vHbD7
🔵 Final meeting point: Cathedral Church Square
https://maps.app.goo.gl/r5CYxNnC7Me3UF516

Join this open-air celebration for a unique cultural walk filled with live lyra music, traditional dancers, and the true spirit of Crete in the streets.

🎶 The Traditional Strata of the Municipality of Chania continues for the fourth year, bringing life to the evenings and narrow alleys of the Old Town and the Venetian Port.
Every Tuesday until the end of September, members of local cultural associations share Cretan traditions, costumes, dances, and songs with locals and visitors alike.
This weekly event is a celebration of the island’s living culture, expressed through steps, music, and joyful connection.

🧡 Come walk with the Strata and feel the rhythm of Chania’s tradition.

Source: Emmanouil Ntoukakis
Deputy Mayor's Office of Tourism

21/07/2025

🌿 Hidden Beaches of Chania: The Quiet Side of Crete

Tired of umbrellas and crowds?
We made something just for you.

🗺️ A locally written guide with 25 secluded beaches across the Chania region.
Some are only reachable by boat or trail. Others are steps from the road but often missed.
All are peaceful, wild, and unforgettable.

📄 Text-only PDF, no fluff.
Price: €3
€1 for our Buy Me a Coffee members.

👇 Download here:
https://buymeacoffee.com/creteinsiders/e/436745

📸 Photo Contest Alert
Been to one of these beaches?
Show us your best shot using
It could be a secret swim, a cave, a barefoot trail — or just the silence.
We’ll feature the most stunning photo in our group and on this page.

👇 Know a hidden beach we missed? Drop it in the comments.
Let’s build the most honest beach list for Chania together.

Looking to escape the crowds and discover a wilder side of Crete?This locally made guide shares 25 quiet, hard-to-find beaches across the Chania region. Each one is carefully selected, double-checked,

21/07/2025

Theotokopoulou str, old town of Chania 💙

21/07/2025

Walking in the old town of Chania, Theotokopoulou str. 💙

20/07/2025

Early evening hours in the Agia Marina's main street

20/07/2025

Seen in Agia Marina today ☺️

20/07/2025

Late afternoon moments on the beach of Agia Marina today 💙 🏖️ 🌞

20/07/2025

Late afternoon on the beach 🏖️ Agia Marina today 💙