Where it all began, you, too, can begin again. Crete: The birthplace of European civilization

„In the midst of the dark sea, there lies a land called Crete, beautiful and rich, embraced by the waves, home to countless people in ninety cities. There stands the great city of Knossos, where Minos, the trusted confidant of mighty Zeus, ruled for nine years at a time.“

This is how Homer described Crete—the island where legends were born.

Deep in the rugged Cretan mountains, Zeus himself is said to have been born. This is the land where European civilization took its first breath.

And why is that?

Because it was here that Zeus carried off Europa, the stunning Phoenician princess, and together they bore a son—Minos. He would go on to found the Minoan civilization, the foundation of European culture and history. Minos ruled over Crete from the grand palace of Knossos, built by his legendary architect, Daedalus. It was a gift of divine authority—his scepter was given to him by Zeus himself, with whom he met in a sacred cave atop Mount Dikti to seek wisdom and justice in his reign.

To this day, the myth of Europa’s abduction fascinates scholars and archaeologists. Many believe that the very essence of European culture must be traced back to Crete, an island shrouded in mystery—often called “the greatest enigma of history.”

One such mystery is the Labyrinth beneath Knossos, designed by Daedalus as a reflection of our world, our lives—beautiful yet treacherous, filled with choices that lead us either forward or astray. Just like Ariadne’s thread, guiding the way out of the maze, our journeys are filled with signs meant to lead us toward clarity.

It is said that walking through a labyrinth is a form of moving meditation—first, you find your breath, then your rhythm, focusing only on the steps ahead. Slowly, you unravel your tangled thoughts and emerge with a clearer mind.

And there is no better place for this than Crete.
Because Crete is where the line between reality and myth blurs.
Where history was first written.And where, on this ancient island, you can begin writing your own new and better story.