Today, March 25, Greece celebrates a significant double holiday: Independence Day and the Orthodox feast of the Annunciation. This day holds deep historical and religious importance for Greeks worldwide, blending national pride with spiritual devotion.

  Greek Independence Day** marks the beginning of the revolution against Ottoman rule in 1821. It symbolizes the fight for freedom and the establishment of the modern Greek state. Across the country, parades, ceremonies, and cultural events take place, honoring the heroes who fought for independence.

  At the same time, the Orthodox Christian world observes the **Feast of the Annunciation**. According to Christian tradition, this is the day when the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary, announcing that she would give birth to Jesus Christ. This joyful occasion is celebrated with church services and family gatherings.

  The combination of these two celebrations makes March 25 a unique and vibrant day in Greece. Streets are filled with blue and white flags, schoolchildren and military units participate in parades, and churches hold special liturgies. It is a time for both national reflection and religious observance.

  To capture the spirit of this special day, I have taken a series of portrait photographs that showcase the emotions and traditions of the people celebrating. I invite you to take a look and immerse yourself in the beauty and significance of March 25 in Greece!

 Nestled in the scenic hills of Crete, Arkadi Monastery is not only a place of historical and spiritual significance but also a sanctuary of natural beauty. Among the most striking features of its landscape are the magnificent stone pines (*Pinus pinea*), which gracefully tower over the monastery grounds. These impressive trees, with their broad, umbrella-like canopies, create a serene and picturesque atmosphere. 

Stone pines are well adapted to the Mediterranean climate, thriving in Crete’s warm, dry summers and mild winters. Their sturdy trunks and deep roots allow them to withstand strong winds, while their distinctive cones produce the delicious and highly prized pine nuts.

 Beyond their aesthetic and ecological value, the stone pines of Arkadi Monastery contribute to the site’s timeless charm. As they stand tall against the backdrop of the monastery’s centuries-old stone walls, these trees serve as silent witnesses to history, adding to the profound sense of peace and continuity that defines this sacred place.

 For visitors seeking both cultural heritage and natural beauty, the stone pines of Arkadi Monastery offer a perfect blend of history and tranquility, making them an unforgettable part of any journey through Crete.

  In 2025, I had the opportunity to capture the vibrant Rethymno Carnival on the island of Crete. The streets were alive with music, colorful costumes, and energetic performances, creating a unique atmosphere of celebration.

I filmed the excitement of the parade, the dazzling outfits, and the joyful expressions of participants and spectators. The energy of the carnival was contagious, making it a fantastic experience to document. Looking back, this video remains a vivid memory of one of Crete’s most spectacular events.

  Every year, before the grand Carnival of Rethymno takes over the streets, the city hosts a special event just for children. The Children’s Carnival is a vibrant and joyful celebration designed to introduce young participants to the festive traditions of Crete’s most famous carnival.

  Taking place a week or two before the main event, the Children’s Carnival transforms the city into a playground of color, music, and laughter. Hundreds of children, dressed in creative and colorful costumes, parade through the streets accompanied by their parents, teachers, and friends. Schools and local organizations prepare for weeks in advance, ensuring that each group has a unique theme. From fairy-tale characters to superheroes and mythical creatures, the variety of costumes reflects the boundless imagination of the young participants.

  The event is more than just a parade—it includes fun activities, live performances, and interactive games. Clowns, jugglers, and entertainers keep the children engaged, while music fills the air, creating a truly festive atmosphere. Many families and visitors gather to watch and cheer, making it a heartwarming community experience.

  This special day not only brings joy to the children but also preserves the rich cultural tradition of the Rethymno Carnival. By allowing the younger generation to take part in the festivities, the city ensures that this beloved event continues to thrive for years to come.

For visitors in Crete during the Carnival season, attending the Children’s Carnival in Rethymno is a fantastic way to experience the island’s lively spirit in a family-friendly setting.

  Nestled in the heart of Crete, the Amari Dam Reservoir is a stunning artificial lake surrounded by the island’s breathtaking natural landscapes. Located in the Rethymno region, this reservoir was created to support local agriculture and water supply needs. However, it has also become a haven for nature lovers, photographers, and outdoor enthusiasts.

  A Tranquil Escape

Amari Dam is set against the backdrop of Mount Psiloritis, Crete’s highest peak, offering visitors a peaceful retreat away from the island’s bustling coastal towns. The reservoir’s calm waters reflect the surrounding hills, creating a picturesque scene that changes beautifully with the seasons.

  Wildlife and Activities

  The area around the reservoir is home to a variety of birds and wildlife, making it a great spot for birdwatching and nature photography. Visitors can also enjoy hiking along the trails that wind through the scenic countryside, or simply relax and take in the serenity of the lake.

  How to Get There

  Amari Dam is about a 30-minute drive from Rethymno, making it an easily accessible day-trip destination. The journey offers stunning views of Crete’s rugged interior, passing through charming villages and lush valleys.

Whether you're a photographer looking for the perfect landscape shot, a traveler seeking a peaceful escape, or a nature lover eager to explore Crete’s wild beauty, Amari Dam Reservoir is a must-visit location.

  Nestled in the heart of the Rethymno region, Patsos Gorge is a breathtaking destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers visiting Crete. Also known as Agios Antonios Gorge, this scenic canyon offers a perfect blend of lush greenery, striking rock formations, and a mystical atmosphere that makes it a must-visit spot on the island.

A Walk Through Nature’s Beauty

Patsos Gorge is relatively short, making it an accessible and enjoyable trek for hikers of all levels. The well-marked trail follows a stream that flows through the gorge, creating small waterfalls and pools along the way. Towering cliffs and dense vegetation provide shade and a refreshing microclimate, even during the hot summer months.

The Cave Chapel of Agios Antonios

One of the highlights of the gorge is the cave chapel dedicated to Agios Antonios (Saint Anthony). Carved into the rock, this small yet enchanting place of worship is adorned with candles and religious offerings left by visitors seeking blessings and protection. The atmosphere is serene and spiritual, adding a unique cultural touch to the natural surroundings.

Wildlife and Flora

Patsos Gorge is home to a variety of plant and animal species. Hikers can admire wildflowers, plane trees, and aromatic herbs such as thyme and oregano. Birdwatchers may also spot native species soaring above the cliffs or perched on tree branches.

Practical Tips for Visitors

Best Time to Visit: Spring and autumn offer the best conditions, with pleasant temperatures and vibrant landscapes.

Difficulty Level: The hike is easy to moderate, suitable for families and casual hikers.

What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes, water, and a camera to capture the stunning scenery.

Getting There: Patsos Gorge is about 25 km from Rethymno town, accessible by car.

Conclusion

Whether you’re looking for a peaceful nature walk, a cultural experience, or a scenic photography spot, Patsos Gorge has something to offer. Its unspoiled beauty and tranquil atmosphere make it a hidden gem that deserves a place on any traveler’s Crete itinerary. So, lace up your hiking boots and explore this magical gorge for an unforgettable adventure!

Get ready for an unforgettable celebration as the Rethymno Carnival returns in 2025, marking an incredible 111 years of tradition since its debut in 1914!

Step into the heart of Rethymno, where the city transforms into a lively carnival paradise filled with laughter, dazzling performances, and an electrifying atmosphere. With its charming streets and mild weather, Rethymno offers a more intimate yet equally thrilling alternative to larger festival destinations.

Join in the fun with a series of spectacular events leading up to the grand festivities. From humorous performances honoring the "King of the Carnival" to vibrant parades and themed treasure hunts, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

This year’s 27th Rethymno Children's Treasure Hunt, themed "AI Out of Control!", follows the adventures of Josef, a scientist who once called Rethymno home as a child. With around 20,000 participants and over 100,000 expected visitors, the Grand Parade promises a perfect mix of excitement and relaxation.

All photos were taken by me from the carnival in the city of Rethymno in 2024, you can see them at the link https://fionovdenys.gallery.photo/gallery/carnival-in-rethymno-2024/

Carnival Highlights & Key Dates

The festivities kick off on February 7th and continue for three incredible weeks, featuring a variety of events, including street parties, parades, concerts, and cultural traditions.

📅 Key Events to Look Forward To:

• February 9 – 27th Rethymno Children's Treasure Hunt (AI Out of Control!) & Grand Opening

Enjoy fireworks, satirical performances, live music, and thrilling surprises!

• February 20 – Tsiknopempti (Smoky Thursday)

Savor delicious barbecued dishes, enjoy Cretan delicacies, and dance at lively street parties.

• February 28 – Serenade Tradition

Experience a magical musical journey through Rethymno’s historic streets, blending past and present.

• March 1 – Municipal Choir Parade & Night Parade

Watch the city come alive with choirs, musicians, and carnivalists, followed by an exciting nighttime parade ending with a grand party.

• March 2 – Grand Parade

Witness thousands of costumed participants and colorful floats made from recycled materials in a breathtaking display of creativity and celebration.

• March 3 – Koulouma (Shrove Monday)

Close the festivities with a traditional feast of vegetarian delights while colorful kites fill the sky above the beach and countryside.

Mark your calendars and immerse yourself in one of Crete’s most spectacular cultural events. The Rethymno Carnival 2025 promises an unforgettable experience of joy, music, and tradition!

Rethymno Carnival: Crete’s Most Vibrant Celebration

The Rethymno Carnival is one of Crete’s most spectacular and cherished festivals, bringing together tradition, creativity, and an incredible sense of community. Held annually in the charming town of Rethymno, this month-long celebration is a colorful blend of ancient Greek customs, Venetian elegance, and modern revelry, drawing thousands of enthusiastic participants and visitors from across Greece and beyond.

More than just a parade, the Rethymno Carnival is an immersive cultural experience, featuring music, dance, theater, and endless festivities that sweep through the city’s narrow streets and picturesque squares. From masked balls to whimsical treasure hunts, this carnival is a true testament to Crete’s rich heritage and vibrant spirit.

A Month of Festivities: Highlights of the Rethymno Carnival

Unlike many carnivals that last just a few days, Rethymno’s celebrations unfold over several weeks, culminating in an unforgettable Grand Parade.

📜 Opening Ceremony & Traditional Announcements
The carnival officially begins when a lively town crier proclaims the start of the festivities, setting the stage for a series of exciting events.

🎭 Children’s & Adults’ Treasure Hunts
A much-anticipated part of the carnival, treasure hunts for both children and adults add a fun and competitive twist to the celebration, with creative themes that change each year.

💃 Dancing & Serenades in the Old Town
Throughout the festival, traditional carnival dance performances take place in the city’s squares. As evening falls, the streets echo with the sound of "kantades", where groups of musicians serenade passersby with romantic and playful songs.

🚢 The Spectacular Carnival Parade
The highlight of the celebration is the grand Carnival Parade, featuring:

Magnificent floats (armas), often inspired by satire, mythology, and pop culture.
Thousands of costumed revelers, showcasing dazzling and imaginative outfits.
A festive energy unlike any other, as laughter and music fill the streets.

🔥 Burning of the Carnival King
A powerful symbolic moment, the festival concludes with the burning of the Carnival King, an enormous effigy that represents the farewell to excess before the solemnity of Lent begins. This fiery spectacle lights up the night sky, creating an unforgettable finale to the month-long celebrations.

🎶 The Final Street Party
Even after the parade, the festivities continue late into the night, with open-air parties, live music, and endless dancing, ensuring the carnival spirit lives on for just a little longer.

Fascinating Facts About Rethymno Carnival

🕰 A Celebration Over a Century Old
The Rethymno Carnival has a long and rich history, with records of its first official celebration dating back more than 100 years.

🏆 A Guinness World Record Holder
In 2017, Rethymno made history by setting a Guinness World Record for the largest treasure hunt, with over 1,300 participants taking part in the challenge.

🎭 A True Community Effort
The magic of the carnival is brought to life by dedicated local groups, who spend months designing and crafting elaborate costumes, floats, and performances.

🎭 Venetian Influence & Theatrical Elegance
Rethymno’s deep Venetian roots are evident throughout the carnival, from the elaborate masks and period costumes to the dramatic street performances reminiscent of Venice’s famed Carnevale.

🌿 Clean Monday: A New Beginning
The day after the carnival, known as "Clean Monday" (Koulouma), marks the beginning of Lent. It is traditionally celebrated with picnics, vegetarian delicacies, and kite flying, offering a serene contrast to the high-energy festivities of the carnival.

Experience the Magic of Rethymno Carnival 2025!

Whether you’re drawn to the lively street parties, the spectacular parade, or the rich cultural traditions, the Rethymno Carnival promises a one-of-a-kind experience that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. Mark your calendars and get ready to be swept up in the magic of Crete’s most vibrant festival!

Friends, if you need a photographer or videographer on the island of Crete, you can always contact me

  As a wedding photographer based in the stunning island of Crete, I've witnessed countless beautiful ceremonies and celebrations. Through my lens, I've learned what truly matters in making a bride's special day unforgettable. While every wedding is unique, certain elements consistently contribute to a bride's happiness and comfort throughout her celebration.

Timing is Everything

The most radiant bridal photos come from a relaxed bride who isn't rushing between events. I always advise couples to build buffer time into their schedule – especially during the morning preparations. Those quiet moments before the ceremony often produce the most intimate and emotional shots, capturing the anticipation and joy that make wedding photography so special.

The Power of Golden Hour

Crete's natural beauty provides an incomparable backdrop for wedding photography, but timing is crucial. I recommend scheduling key photography sessions during the "golden hour" – the period shortly after sunrise or before sunset. The warm, soft Mediterranean light during these times creates magical portraits that brides absolutely adore.

A Trusted Support System

Having the right people around during preparations makes an enormous difference. I've noticed that brides are happiest when surrounded by a small group of their closest friends or family members who can keep the atmosphere calm and positive. This natural support system leads to genuine smiles and laughter that translate beautifully on camera.

Preserving Precious Moments

While formal portraits are important, the most treasured images often capture unexpected moments – a father's tears, a spontaneous dance, or a quiet exchange between newlyweds. As your photographer, my role extends beyond taking pictures; I'm there to document these fleeting instances that tell your unique love story.

The Details Matter

Every bride puts tremendous thought into her wedding details – from the intricate lace on her dress to the delicate flower arrangements. I make sure to capture these elements early in the day, before the celebrations begin. These photos help tell the complete story of your wedding day and preserve the memories of all the careful planning that went into making it special.

Remember, your wedding day is a celebration of love, and the most beautiful photographs come from moments of genuine joy. As your photographer in Crete, my goal is to help you stay present and relaxed, knowing that every precious moment is being captured for you to treasure forever.

Rethymno Marina, located on the northern coast of Crete, is a charming and scenic harbor that welcomes sailors, yacht owners, and visitors seeking a taste of maritime elegance. Situated next to the city's historic Venetian harbor, the marina offers a blend of modern facilities and traditional Cretan beauty, making it a perfect subject for aerial photography and videography.

Aerial Views of Rethymno Marina

Captured from above, the marina reveals a stunning layout of yachts and boats docked in neat rows, their reflections shimmering on the turquoise waters. The surrounding promenade, lined with cafes and restaurants, adds to the lively atmosphere, while the Venetian Fortezza in the background provides a breathtaking contrast between old and new.

Yachts and Boats in the Marina

Rethymno Marina hosts a variety of vessels, from small fishing boats to luxury yachts. Some are privately owned, while others are available for charter, offering excursions along Crete’s rugged coastline. Many yachts in the marina belong to travelers exploring the Greek islands, creating a dynamic mix of local and international sailors. The well-maintained docks and amenities ensure a comfortable stay for those arriving by sea.

The Perfect Spot for Photography

Flying a drone over the marina offers a unique perspective, capturing the symmetry of the docks, the movement of boats entering and leaving the port, and the vibrant contrast between the deep blue sea and the city’s architecture. Whether during the golden hours of sunrise and sunset or in the midday sun, Rethymno Marina is a fantastic place to document the beauty of Crete’s maritime culture.

If you're planning to visit Rethymno, don’t miss the chance to walk along the marina, admire the yachts, and If you want to take photos or videos in this place, write to me.

In the heart of Crete's winter, when the ancient stones of Knossos stand silent against steel-gray skies, visual artists find themselves in an unusual position. The bustling summer months, filled with wedding celebrations and tourist photoshoots, feel like a distant memory. Our cameras and drones, usually busy capturing sun-drenched memories for visitors, rest quietly in their cases.

Yet this seasonal lull brings its own kind of magic. While our booking calendars may be sparse, winter in Crete offers a different canvas altogether. The island transforms into a more intimate version of itself, freed from the summer crowds. The narrow streets of old towns, typically packed with tourists seeking the perfect Instagram moment, now belong to the locals and the occasional cat seeking shelter from the Mediterranean rain.

During these quieter months, I've discovered that my drone becomes less of a work tool and more of an adventure companion. On clear winter days, when the north winds pause their eternal dance with the island's shores, I take to the skies. From above, Crete reveals a different face – olive groves silvered by winter light, mountains crowned with unexpected snow, and coastlines where winter waves crash against empty beaches.

The waiting period between client bookings stretches like the long shadows of winter afternoons. But this time isn't wasted – it's invested in exploration. Some days, I wander through mountain villages where elderly locals, no longer busy with summer visitors, have time to share stories over cups of mountain tea. Other days, I scout new locations, marking spots where the winter light creates particularly dramatic scenes, mentally filing them away for future shoots.

This seasonal pause also offers something increasingly rare in our profession: time for creative experimentation. Without the pressure of immediate deadlines, there's freedom to play with new techniques, master complex drone maneuvers, or simply capture the island's winter mood for personal projects.

Yes, our phones may be quieter now, with fewer booking inquiries coming in. But in exchange, we get to experience and document a side of Crete that most visitors never see – an island wrapped in winter's contemplative embrace, waiting for spring's inevitable return.