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Mihaela Lica Butler: Travel Writer, Recipe Developer

Trash, Cats, and Kittikins

2025-09-21 by Mihaela Lica Butler

cat

Cats rule the trash bins and tavernas. From nightly dives into containers to one little kittikins at the doorstep, strays remain part of the island’s heartbeat.

The Secret Life of Orchids in Crete

2025-09-21 by Mihaela Lica Butler

The Secret Life of Orchids in Crete

Crete is home to over seventy wild orchid species, many endemic to the island. Blooming in spring, these fragile flowers are protected by law and must never be picked.

Manuel Swapped Whistles for Chocolate Bars

2025-09-20 by Mihaela Lica Butler

Argophilia’s lifeguard-turned-writer who still saves lives on Crete’s beaches and secretly loves chocolate more than anything else.

Argophilia’s lifeguard-turned-writer who still saves lives on Crete’s beaches and secretly loves chocolate more than anything else.

Aposelemis Shutdown Sparks New Water Supply Problems in Heraklion

2025-09-18 by Mihaela Lica Butler

Aposelemis Dam running dry

Repairs remain undefined, raising concerns for residents, businesses, and tourism.

Knossos to Get a €3.5 Million Entrance

2025-09-17 by Mihaela Lica Butler

Photorealistic rendering of the new entrance. View from the courtyard towards the square

Knossos’ new €3.5M entrance project adds toilets, ticket offices, and shade — a long-overdue fix for Crete’s busiest archaeological site.

Why Pitsidia Throws a Raki Festival in October

2025-09-16 by Mihaela Lica Butler

fresh raki

Pitsidia hosts its Raki Festival unusually early on October 4, while most villages celebrate in November.

Is Tap Water Safe in Heraklion? What Travelers Need to Know

2025-09-15 by Mihaela Lica Butler

tap water safety AI illustration

In Heraklion, tap water is treated but not always safe for drinking. Locals rely on bottled water like Rouvas, Zaros, Samaria, and Selinari.

Cretan Mountain Replica Under Construction at the Natural History Museum of Crete

2025-09-15 by Mihaela Lica Butler

Cretan Mountain Replica

The Natural History Museum of Crete is building a full-scale mountain with cave and gorge, complete with kri-kri goats and vultures on its peaks.

Free Chartodiadromes Tours Begin with Arkadi Monastery Visit

2025-09-13 by Mihaela Lica Butler

Arkadi Monastery Venetian Church

Heraklion’s Chartodiadromes tours return, starting with Arkadi Monastery in Rethymno, plus stops at Eleutherna Museum and Margarites village.

Kriti Olive Oil From Crete Gains EU PGI Recognition

2025-09-12 by Mihaela Lica Butler

Kriti olive oil

The European Commission officially granted PGI status to Kriti olive oil in recognition of Crete’s climate, traditions, and legacy.

Nisyros Geopark Joins UNESCO Global Geoparks Network

2025-09-11 by Mihaela Lica Butler

Nisyros Geopark

Nisyros has been accepted into the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, proving its unique volcanic and cultural importance.

Mosquitoes Take Over Crete Despite 2025 Control Program

2025-09-11 by Mihaela Lica Butler

mosquito invasion

Despite a March 2025 launch of Crete’s mosquito control program—including spraying, monitoring, and the “Mosquito Vision” app—residents now report an invasion.

Lovage the Forgotten Green With a Loyal Heart

2025-09-01 by Mihaela Lica Butler

lovage in the garden

Lovage is Romania’s most beloved herb, treasured for its bold flavor and deep roots in tradition.

The Breath of an Ember

2025-08-31 by Mihaela Lica Butler

lemon

n orange canary named Gim breathes like a flame in a lantern. His song, his rhythm, and his fragile fire turn everyday noise into silence, teaching the beauty of life and presence.

Greece’s Travel Risk Is No Lifeline in a Crisis

2025-08-30 by Mihaela Lica Butler

operators speak only Gree

A first-person account reveals how Greece’s suicide helplines fail foreigners. Calls go unanswered, operators speak only Greek, and denials mask a fragile safety net.

Crete’s Farmers Announce September Protests Amid Collapse of Livestock Sector

2025-08-28 by Mihaela Lica Butler

Crete livestock farmers AI illustration

Cretan livestock farmers announce September mobilizations over falling milk prices, lost pastures, and unpaid subsidies.

How Does It Feel to Live in Nea Alikarnassos?

2025-08-20 by Mihaela Lica Butler

Nea Alikarnassos goat

Life in Nea Alikarnassos: from ship horns to tzitzikas, here is why sleep is a distant dream in this noisy Cretan neighborhood.

Crete’s Air Quality Worsens

2025-08-17 by Mihaela Lica Butler

Region of Crete warns of increased air pollution in Heraklion from fine particulate matter. AI illustration

Region of Crete warns of increased air pollution in Heraklion from fine particulate matter.

Over 80 Swimmers Rescued on Chania Beaches This August

2025-08-17 by Mihaela Lica Butler

Lifeguards in Chania rescued over 80 swimmers from the sea amid strong winds and ignored warnings.

Lifeguards in Chania rescued over 80 swimmers from the sea amid strong winds and ignored warnings.

Who’s Afraid of Snakes in Crete

2025-08-17 by Mihaela Lica Butler

Who’s Afraid of Snakes in Crete

Tourists visiting Crete encounter snakes in the wild—mostly harmless but often startling.

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Stories of Interest

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Why Crete Is Not All Random Bullets and Vendetta

2026-01-01 By Kostas Raptis

Crete’s reputation often suffers from isolated incidents amplified into myths, but the island is safer than headlines suggest.

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Why Crete Smells Like Burned Olive Wood in Winter (And Why That’s Normal)

2026-01-01 By Mihaela Lica Butler

From October to May, winter in Crete smells of burning olive wood. It looks illegal, feels confusing, and is completely normal — if you understand the island.

Crete culture

Crete Plans €2 Million in Culture and Sports as Infrastructure Falls Behind

2025-12-29 By Manuel Santos

Crete announces a €2.06 million cultural and sports programme for 2026, even as water shortages, infrastructure strain, and airport delays raise hard questions.

Crete water crisis hotel Plaka

When the Water Runs Out, the Illusion Runs With It

2025-12-29 By Manuel Santos

An official document confirms what many feared: water and sewage capacity in Crete cannot support new large hotel developments.

Crete New Year's Dive

Why Cretans Start the Year in the Sea

2025-12-28 By Manuel Santos

Why Cretans welcome the New Year in the sea. A look at the New Year’s Dive tradition in Crete, where it happens, and how to take part safely.

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