About us
Welcome to Contact Crete,
our passion is to provide unforgettable sea kayaking adventures in the enchanting island of Crete, Greece. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Cretan coastline as you embark on a thrilling sea kayaking journey like no other.
Discover the hidden gems of Crete's pristine shores, where crystal-clear waters meet breathtaking landscapes. Our sea kayaking excursions are designed to provide you with an extraordinary blend of adventure, exploration, and natural wonders.
Based in Chania, our experienced guides are passionate about sharing their love for sea kayaking and showcasing the best of what Crete has to offer. With their expert knowledge and attention to safety, you can trust that your journey will be both exhilarating and secure.
At Contact Crete, we cater to all skill levels, whether you're a novice seeking a leisurely paddle or a seasoned kayaker looking for a thrilling challenge. Our diverse range of excursions allows you to customize your experience, ensuring it aligns with your preferences and abilities.
Picture yourself gliding through turquoise waters, marveling at rugged cliffs, hidden caves, and pristine sandy beaches accessible only by kayak. Encounter the vibrant marine life that thrives beneath the surface, from playful dolphins to colorful fish, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
With our emphasis on personalization, we strive to create a seamless and memorable experience for each and every adventurer. Whether you're traveling solo, with family and friends, or seeking a unique team-building activity, we are here to exceed your expectations.
At Contact Crete, we not only provide exceptional sea kayaking experiences but also a deep respect for the environment. We are committed to responsible tourism and preserving the natural beauty of Crete's coastlines. Join us in practicing sustainable exploration and leave only footprints behind.
Ready to embark on a sea kayaking adventure in the captivating world of Crete? Contact us today to start planning your journey along the scenic shores of Chania. Unleash your sense of adventure, connect with nature, and create memories that will stay with you forever.
Contact Crete: Your gateway to sea kayaking excellence in Crete, Greece
our passion is to provide unforgettable sea kayaking adventures in the enchanting island of Crete, Greece. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Cretan coastline as you embark on a thrilling sea kayaking journey like no other.
Discover the hidden gems of Crete's pristine shores, where crystal-clear waters meet breathtaking landscapes. Our sea kayaking excursions are designed to provide you with an extraordinary blend of adventure, exploration, and natural wonders.
Based in Chania, our experienced guides are passionate about sharing their love for sea kayaking and showcasing the best of what Crete has to offer. With their expert knowledge and attention to safety, you can trust that your journey will be both exhilarating and secure.
At Contact Crete, we cater to all skill levels, whether you're a novice seeking a leisurely paddle or a seasoned kayaker looking for a thrilling challenge. Our diverse range of excursions allows you to customize your experience, ensuring it aligns with your preferences and abilities.
Picture yourself gliding through turquoise waters, marveling at rugged cliffs, hidden caves, and pristine sandy beaches accessible only by kayak. Encounter the vibrant marine life that thrives beneath the surface, from playful dolphins to colorful fish, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
With our emphasis on personalization, we strive to create a seamless and memorable experience for each and every adventurer. Whether you're traveling solo, with family and friends, or seeking a unique team-building activity, we are here to exceed your expectations.
At Contact Crete, we not only provide exceptional sea kayaking experiences but also a deep respect for the environment. We are committed to responsible tourism and preserving the natural beauty of Crete's coastlines. Join us in practicing sustainable exploration and leave only footprints behind.
Ready to embark on a sea kayaking adventure in the captivating world of Crete? Contact us today to start planning your journey along the scenic shores of Chania. Unleash your sense of adventure, connect with nature, and create memories that will stay with you forever.
Contact Crete: Your gateway to sea kayaking excellence in Crete, Greece
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Welcome to Contact Crete - Your Gateway to Unforgettable Adventures
Founded by Haris Karagiannis in 2023, Contact Crete embodies a passion for exploration, preservation, and the art of creating immersive experiences. Nestled in the heart of Chania, Crete, Contact Crete offers an unparalleled journey through the crystalline waters and historical wonders of this breathtaking region. Our Story Haris, a passionate sea kayaker, an outdoor guide and former lifeguard, brings over 23 years of expertise in guiding and safeguarding, coupled with an unyielding fascination for European history. As a Top REI guide awardee in 2010, Haris commitment to delivering exceptional outdoor experiences has been recognized and celebrated |
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Our Promise
At Contact Crete, we curate sea kayaking experiences that transcend the ordinary. Each excursion is a seamless blend of adventure and education, where history comes alive against the stunning backdrop of Crete's natural landscapes. Our guides, are not just experts in navigation and safety but also storytellers, weaving tales of ancient civilizations as you paddle along the coastline.
Sustainable Exploration
We believe in responsible tourism. Contact Crete is committed to preserving the beauty of our surroundings. Our initiatives focus on eco-friendly practices, community engagement, and supporting local conservation efforts. We aim to leave a positive impact on the environment while creating lasting memories for our guests.
Join Us
Whether you're an experienced sea kayaker or a first timer, a history enthusiast, nature lover, or simply seeking an unforgettable adventure, Contact Crete welcomes you. Embark on a voyage with us, where the past meets the present, and where every paddle stroke unveils the timeless stories of Crete's history.
Contact Crete - Your doorway to an expedition through time and nature.
At Contact Crete, we curate sea kayaking experiences that transcend the ordinary. Each excursion is a seamless blend of adventure and education, where history comes alive against the stunning backdrop of Crete's natural landscapes. Our guides, are not just experts in navigation and safety but also storytellers, weaving tales of ancient civilizations as you paddle along the coastline.
Sustainable Exploration
We believe in responsible tourism. Contact Crete is committed to preserving the beauty of our surroundings. Our initiatives focus on eco-friendly practices, community engagement, and supporting local conservation efforts. We aim to leave a positive impact on the environment while creating lasting memories for our guests.
Join Us
Whether you're an experienced sea kayaker or a first timer, a history enthusiast, nature lover, or simply seeking an unforgettable adventure, Contact Crete welcomes you. Embark on a voyage with us, where the past meets the present, and where every paddle stroke unveils the timeless stories of Crete's history.
Contact Crete - Your doorway to an expedition through time and nature.
Basic History for Chania
Chania or Hania as often is spelled or from the Venetian time Al Canea, is the capital city of the Chania regional unit.
It lies along the north west coast of the island Crete, and, the municipality has close to 110000 inhabitants.
Chania is the site of the Minoan settlement the Greeks called Kydonia, the source of the word quince. Some notable archaeological evidence for the existence of this Minoan city below some parts of today's Chania was found by excavation in the district of Kasteli in the Old Town. This area appears to have been inhabited since the Neolithic era. The city reemerged after the end of the Minoan period as an important city-state in Classical Greece, one whose domain extended from Chania Bay to the feet of the White Mountains. Kydonia was important enough for the Kydonians to be mentioned in Homer's Odyssey. In 69 BC, the Roman consul Caecilius Metellus defeated the Cretans and conquered Kydonia to which he granted the privileges of an independent city-state.
Under the Arabs, the Christian population was persecuted and moved to the mountains. The Byzantine Empire retook the city in 961 AD. In this period the Arabic name of the city was changed into Greek Chania. Byzantines began to strongly fortify the city in order to prevent another Arab invasion, using materials from the ancient buildings of the area.
Venetian era
In the aftermath of the 4th Crusade Crete ended being sold to the Venetians for 100 silver marks by Bonifacio, Marquess of Montferrat. In 1252 the Venetians managed to subdue the Cretans but in 1263, their rivals of Genoa, with local support, seized the city under the leadership of Enrico Pescatore, count of Malta, and held it until 1285, when the Venetians returned. Chania was chosen as the seat of the Rector (Administrator General) of the region and flourished as a significant commercial centre of a fertile agricultural region.
The Venetian rule was initially strict and oppressive but slowly the relations between the two parts improved. Contact with Venice led to close intertwining of Cretan and Venetian cultures, without, however, the Cretans losing their Greek Orthodox nature. The city's name became La Canea and its fortifications were strengthened, giving Chania the form that it still has today. On the other hand, after the fall of Constantinople in 1453, many priests, monks and artists took refuge in Crete and reinforced the Byzantine religion and culture on the island. The city of Chania during the period that followed was a blend of Byzantine, Venetian, and Classical Greek cultural elements. Many of the important buildings of the town were built during this era and the intellectual activities (written word, music, education) were also promoted.
Ottoman era
During the opening months of the Cretan War (1645–1669) the city's walls did not prevent an Ottoman army from capturing it from the Venetians after a two-month siege. Many Cretans fled to escape persecution, many others were slaughtered or converted to Islam, while numerous Turkish Muslim settlers arrived changing the ethnic mix of the city.
Muslims resided mainly in the eastern quarters, Kastelli and Splantzia, where they converted the Dominican church of St Nicholas into the central Sovereign's Mosque (Turkish: Hünkar Camısı). They also built new mosques such as the Küçük Hasan Pasha Mosque or Yali Mosque on the harbour. Public baths (hamam), and fountains were a feature of the Ottoman city. The pasha of Crete resided in Chania.
The city remained under Ottoman control despite fighting during the Greek War of Independence (1821-29), the Cretan Revolt (1866–1869) and the Cretan Revolt (1878). Due to the island's mixture of Muslim and Christian residents, Crete was the subject of international debate between the European great powers, most notably at the Treaty of Berlin (1878) which resulted in the Pact of Halepa. During the 19th and early 20th century inter-ethnic violence on Crete eventually led to the mass migration of the island's local Muslim population to other Mediterranean islands or coastal cities. Mass conversions also occurred. The population exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1922 resulted in the deportation of the island's last Muslim residents.
It lies along the north west coast of the island Crete, and, the municipality has close to 110000 inhabitants.
Chania is the site of the Minoan settlement the Greeks called Kydonia, the source of the word quince. Some notable archaeological evidence for the existence of this Minoan city below some parts of today's Chania was found by excavation in the district of Kasteli in the Old Town. This area appears to have been inhabited since the Neolithic era. The city reemerged after the end of the Minoan period as an important city-state in Classical Greece, one whose domain extended from Chania Bay to the feet of the White Mountains. Kydonia was important enough for the Kydonians to be mentioned in Homer's Odyssey. In 69 BC, the Roman consul Caecilius Metellus defeated the Cretans and conquered Kydonia to which he granted the privileges of an independent city-state.
Under the Arabs, the Christian population was persecuted and moved to the mountains. The Byzantine Empire retook the city in 961 AD. In this period the Arabic name of the city was changed into Greek Chania. Byzantines began to strongly fortify the city in order to prevent another Arab invasion, using materials from the ancient buildings of the area.
Venetian era
In the aftermath of the 4th Crusade Crete ended being sold to the Venetians for 100 silver marks by Bonifacio, Marquess of Montferrat. In 1252 the Venetians managed to subdue the Cretans but in 1263, their rivals of Genoa, with local support, seized the city under the leadership of Enrico Pescatore, count of Malta, and held it until 1285, when the Venetians returned. Chania was chosen as the seat of the Rector (Administrator General) of the region and flourished as a significant commercial centre of a fertile agricultural region.
The Venetian rule was initially strict and oppressive but slowly the relations between the two parts improved. Contact with Venice led to close intertwining of Cretan and Venetian cultures, without, however, the Cretans losing their Greek Orthodox nature. The city's name became La Canea and its fortifications were strengthened, giving Chania the form that it still has today. On the other hand, after the fall of Constantinople in 1453, many priests, monks and artists took refuge in Crete and reinforced the Byzantine religion and culture on the island. The city of Chania during the period that followed was a blend of Byzantine, Venetian, and Classical Greek cultural elements. Many of the important buildings of the town were built during this era and the intellectual activities (written word, music, education) were also promoted.
Ottoman era
During the opening months of the Cretan War (1645–1669) the city's walls did not prevent an Ottoman army from capturing it from the Venetians after a two-month siege. Many Cretans fled to escape persecution, many others were slaughtered or converted to Islam, while numerous Turkish Muslim settlers arrived changing the ethnic mix of the city.
Muslims resided mainly in the eastern quarters, Kastelli and Splantzia, where they converted the Dominican church of St Nicholas into the central Sovereign's Mosque (Turkish: Hünkar Camısı). They also built new mosques such as the Küçük Hasan Pasha Mosque or Yali Mosque on the harbour. Public baths (hamam), and fountains were a feature of the Ottoman city. The pasha of Crete resided in Chania.
The city remained under Ottoman control despite fighting during the Greek War of Independence (1821-29), the Cretan Revolt (1866–1869) and the Cretan Revolt (1878). Due to the island's mixture of Muslim and Christian residents, Crete was the subject of international debate between the European great powers, most notably at the Treaty of Berlin (1878) which resulted in the Pact of Halepa. During the 19th and early 20th century inter-ethnic violence on Crete eventually led to the mass migration of the island's local Muslim population to other Mediterranean islands or coastal cities. Mass conversions also occurred. The population exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1922 resulted in the deportation of the island's last Muslim residents.
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