Lonely Planet, the largest travel guide-book publisher in the world has included two Greek destinations in its new guide with the top 50 secret places in Europe. The guide presents popular and lesser known locations in Europe that are worth visiting. Milia, a settlement in Crete and the island of Ithaca, northern Ionian Sea, Greece, are praised for retaining their traditional character.
Milia Crete, which ranked 12th on the list, is a quaint village located a few kilometers away from the city of Chania, on the slope of Kissamos mountain. It is a 17th century mountain settlement which has been transformed into an eco-friendly tourist unit. The medieval settlement has been restored with respect to the environment and the landscape aesthetics. There are no cars nor electricity. Milia contains 13 traditional houses that can accommodate 2 to 4 people each.
The Greek island of Ithaca which ranks 28th, is the world-famous homeland of Ulysses, the hero of Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey. The island maintains scenic landscape untouched by tourism. Its lush greenery, colorful houses with red roofs and turquoise waters create unique scenery for peaceful and “secret” holidays.