- Wonderlust Travel (USA) features Lassithi in a 2025 article titled “Tripping Over Time, And Into The Seductive Heart Of Crete.”
- Press visit organized by: Region of Crete and GNTO New York office
- Writer: Anthony Grant, an experienced U.S. travel journalist
- Describes Lassithi as “a magical region that leaves no one indifferent.”
- Highlights:
- Azoria archaeological site – “Cretan Machu Picchu”
- Kavousi village and its Byzantine churches
- 3,000-year-old Monumental Olive Tree
- Minoan palace of Zakros
- Southern beaches: Myrtos to Zakros, including Agia Fotia and Makry Gialos
- Grant: “The crystal waters seem to sound like music… Could it get better than this? Maybe in films, but this scene is real.”
- Local authorities say the coverage supports Lassithi’s positioning as a destination for high-value tourism.
A Quiet Feature with Long Reach
It wasn’t a splashy campaign: no billboards, no influencers, no helicopters over Elounda. But sometimes, one carefully placed article is worth more than ten flashy ads.
In early 2025, Wonderlust Travel, a U.S.-based publication targeting culturally driven travelers, released a feature on Lassithi—the kind of article that reads more like a personal discovery than a travel brochure.
Written by Anthony Grant and titled “Tripping Over Time, And Into The Seductive Heart Of Crete”, the piece is the result of a press visit coordinated by the Region of Crete and GNTO New York.
In his text, Grant describes Lassithi as:
“A magical region that leaves no one indifferent.”
He stops in Azoria, calling it “the Cretan Machu Picchu,” and lingers in Kavousi, noting its Byzantine chapels and tranquil atmosphere. He also references a culinary experience, though without the usual flair—more about texture and story than menus.
From Ancient Groves to South Coast Sounds
What stood out, though, was how the article handled the southern coastline—a stretch too often ignored by guidebooks, unless it includes palm trees. Grant devotes real attention to the area from Myrtos to Zakros, highlighting beaches like Makry Gialos and Agia Fotia.
His description isn’t hyperbolic. It’s observant:
“The crystal-clear waters seem to sound like music,” he writes.
“Could it get better than this? Maybe in the movies. But this scene is real.”
The article also brings in the 3,000-year-old Monumental Olive Tree of Azoria, linking natural and cultural timelines—without trying to romanticize them. Zakros Palace is mentioned in the same breath as olive oil. For once, that doesn’t feel like a stretch.
- Media featured in: Wonderlust Travel (USA)
- Journalist hosted: Anthony Grant.
- Organizers: Region of Crete, GNTO USA (New York office)
- Target market: Culturally curious U.S. travelers, mid-to-high value segment
- Key narrative pillars:
- Authenticity over mass tourism
- Deep heritage (archaeological and agricultural)
- Low-impact coastal discovery
- Local involvement: Municipalities, cultural bodies, and business owners engaged in hosting
Ioannis Androulakis, Deputy Regional Governor of Lassithi:
“Wonderlust Travel addresses demanding American travelers who seek authentic experiences and new destinations, making this feature particularly important for strengthening Lassithi’s and Crete’s international profile—with the goal of attracting high-value visitors.”
Michalis Klontzas, Tourism Advisor for Lassithi:
“Anthony Grant’s article captures the soul of Lassithi—from ancient Azoria to our crystal-clear beaches. This result is the fruit of collective effort with local stakeholders and businesses who embraced Anthony and shared with him the unmatched beauty of our Crete.”
A Win That Doesn’t Shout
For Lassithi, this isn’t about numbers. It’s about presence.
In a season where tourist hotspots double down on volume, this kind of international coverage is quiet, focused, and long-lasting. It won’t fill beaches overnight—but it will bring the type of visitors who remember what they came for.
And in a region where even the windmills turn slowly, that seems just right.
