Secluded Splendour: the Botanical Gardens of Crete 🦋

A stone's throw from the bustling city of Chania, Crete, you'll find the delightful Botanical Park & Gardens of Crete. 🌷 Whether you're a green-fingered gardener, a humble horticulturalist or just an interested tourist like me, you'll be sure to find peace and tranquility in the endless winding paths adorned with every flower and tree you could imagine. 🌸 Starting at the top 2,500ft high, you'll come across unique beauties such as the Potato Trees (Picture 1) and vividly pink carnations (Picture 2) before transporting yourself through the vine-covered portal that is the wooden bridge (Picture 3). 🦎 Count yourself lucky and you'll see a number of Japanese Grass Lizards as they scurry around across the paths (Picture 4). 🐢 You'll then drop down to the lake and will find the sweetest tortoises native to Greece (Picture 5). You will feel miles away from anywhere here with the only noise to keep you company being the peacocks and pollinating bees. 🎭 Climbing back up, I passed my favourite plant of the whole visit, the Coral Plant (Picture 6). Upon reaching the Amphitheatre (Picture 7), you'll know you're right near the top again. 🌿 This is the place to come in Crete in order to find peace, forget everything and experience a piece of nature. 🍽️ Stop in the on-site restaurant for the most breathtaking views. I enjoyed delicious bread and tzatziki accompanied by a homemade lemonade (Picture 8). 🛌🏼 Stay in nearby Agia Marina for excellent access to the Western island and to be close to the west's capital, Chania. 💡 Bring good walking boots for the rocky hills and make sure to top up that sun cream on the hot days! #cityplaybook #botanicalvibes #greenfingered #summery #crete