Birthplace of Zeus and the cradle of Europe's earliest civilization, Crete is justifiably known as the "Great Island". Fabulous beaches and crystalline seas are just the beginning of the story. The mountains, which dominate the view as you approach, consist of dozens of peaks over 2000m of altitude and present a stunning scenic backdrop to life on the western side of Crete. There are few places in the world where high mountains so close to the sea are combined with an often perfect climate. Our trip starts in Chania, probably the most charming city of Crete, and from there we will head towards White Mountains (Lefka Ori). They borrow their name from the shining bleached limestone in summer and the rich snow cover in winter. For the next week we will hike a network of ancient paths and shepherd trails. We will follow the southern coastline, climb to summits, and submerge to the depths of some of the prettiest gorges of the island, including the most famous one, Samaria. On a hot summer day, heading down to the mouth of a gorge is the ideal hike. We will walk shaded from the sun's ferocity, looking forward to a welcome swim at the end as a reward.