A short drive up the coast from our Crete seaside town of Aghios Nicholaos is Elounda located across the bay from Spinalonga – a one time Venetian fortress protecting the large sheltered Bay of Elounda.

The Venetians controlled most of the eastern Mediterranean setting up the fortress here in sixteenth century.

Along came the Turks of the Ottoman Empire in 1715 and the fortress island (called Mirabello) grew in size to over 1,000 souls.

After the return to Cretan control the fortress was used and a leper colony in 1903 making the name of Spinalonga synonym nous with suffering in the Greek world.

The town of Elounda, located on the mainland, has a fleet of the small very cute Cretan fishing boats, some tourists and a selection of boats that will shuttle passengers over to the fortress at the head of the bay.

This whole area is magic. Very high mountains surrounding a large bay with numerous small towns, sandy beaches and small inlets. The Cretans are friendly and have not been tainted by the crush of tourism.

Dean, on board Necessity, Aghios Nicholaos Marina on the Island of Crete with Crew, Olga, and Tom &Carol Dawe.