Elounda
Elounda is known as one of the most cosmopolitan places in Crete with a lot of restaurants, traditional taverns, serving fresh local fish and sea food, cafeterias, bars and a great variety of shops such as clothing, jewelry, souvenirs, galleries, supermarkets, grocery stores, bakery and pastry, fitness center, banks, post office and medical center. Elounda is located 80km east of Heraklion-airport. The closest city is Agios Nikolaos (9km) with a frequent public transportation (bus).
Crete
The biggest island of Greece, arguably the most famous and, above all, an ideal place for holidaying that impresses through its natural beauties, its age long history and tradition, as well as its hospitable people. At the most impressive part of the island, the golf of Mirabello, there is a seaside fishing village called Elounda. The dry and healthy climate of its area; the fabulous beauty of the landscape which embraces the village; the sunken ancient city of Olous, which remains unexplored at the bottom of the sea; and the tiny island of Spinalonga with the Venetian castle at the entrance of the bay are just some of the reasons why this small village is experiencing a tourist boom, with literally thousands of visitors from around the world.
Spinalonga
The island of Spinalonga is located near the village of Elounda at the eastern Crete. Spinalonga was once under the occupation of the Venetians that because of it's shape named it so (Spina longa = "long thorn"). Spinalonga was not always an island, but was once linked with the rest of the peninsula. In 1526 the Venetians cut down a portion of the peninsula and thus created the island. Because of its position the island was fortified from its earliest years in order to protect the entrance way of the port of Ancient Olous. In 1579 the Venetians built a fortress on Spinalonga over the ruins of an acropolis. They kept control of the island until the Ottoman Empire took possession of it in 1715. The island was subsequently used as a leper colony, from 1903 to 1957. It is notable for being one of the last active leper colonies in Europe. There were two entrances to Spinalonga, one being the leper's entrance, a tunnel known as Dante's Gate. This was so named because the patients did not know what was going to happen to them once they arrived. However, once on the island they received food, water, medical attention and social security payments. Today, the unoccupied island is one of the main tourist attractions in Crete. In addition to the abandoned leper colony and the fortress, Spinalonga is known for its small pebble beaches. The island can be easily accessed from Elounda and Agios Nikolaos. Tourist boats depart from both towns on a daily basis.