Royal Mare Village is located on the beach of Hersonissos and provides its guests with a combination of luxury and comfort that is unparalleled as well as a model thalasso spa. The hotel offers a wide choice of restaurants, bars, shops and a night club, as well as sports and water sports facilities all in the complex. The rooms are equipped with A/C, satelite TV, balconies or verandas, hairdryer, direct dial telephone and refrigerator.

Crete is the biggest Greek island. Its total surface is 8,336 sq m and has 1,100 km of coastline and approximately 600,000 inhabitants. It is considered as one of the most prosperous areas in Greece. Development has been favoured by its geographical location, climate and diverse natural beauty, as well as, its unique cultural and historical heritage. Crete is renowned for its breath-taking mountain ranges and long sandy beaches running down to deep blue seas.
The climate and geography of Crete support the existence of a large number of wild-life species. In the valleys and semi-mountainous areas, more than 100 different sorts of flowers and plants can be found: in the high mountains and the island's 13 deep gorges (Samaria gorge being the most famous) the visitor may encounter interesting flora and fauna including the unique in the world species of the wild goat kri - kri. Crete is notable for its geographical diversity, from many, small surrounding islands to splendid plateaus like Lassithi, with its eye-catching windmills.

The history of Crete dates from the pre-historic era. Millions of years ago Aegis, the land that jointed Greece to Asia Minor, sank into the Mediterranean Sea with only the peaks of its mountains left above the surface.
Due to its location, Crete has been a crossroads for several civilizations. From 2000 BC onwards the unique Minoan Civilization built 100 cities. In addition, there are remains from the Ancient Greek and Roman periods, the early Christian era, the Byzantine Empire, the Venetian rule, and the Ottoman occupation, as well as, the trappings of modern Greek civilization.
Venetian fortresses can be found in the harbours. Beautifully preserved old towns and a multitude of monasteries and Byzantine churches are scattered all over Crete. This plethora of sights attracts many visitors nowadays.

The current population of Crete is approximately 600,000 people. The majority of inhabitants lives in the four main towns of the island, Hania, Rethymnon, Agios Nikolaos and Heraklion, which is the biggest among them. The remainder of the population is spread among the smaller towns and scattered fishing villages. Administratively, the island is divided into four prefectures.
All three Aldemar hotels are located on the northern coast of the island, 25 km from Heraklion town and its international airport. The famous tourist resort of Hersonissos is within walking distance of the hotels.
Heraklion, which has been a settlement from as far back as the Neolithic era, served as the port of Knossos under the Venetian rule in the 13th century and became known as Candia, the capital of Aegean Territories. Today the island's capital harbour is a wealth of Venetian architecture, including its city walls and the Fortress (Koule). The Archaeological Museum holds the largest collection of Minoan Art in the world. Visitors can also visit the Minoan Palaces of Knossos, Phaistos, Gortyna and Malia which are not far from Heraklion.

Visits to Knossos and Phaistos highly recommend. Knossos features ruins of the largest and most luxurious Minoan palace, originally built in the middle of a glorious town. The first palace was built around 2000 BC and destroyed around 1700 BC. The second, which was built immediately afterwards, was also destroyed around 1450 BC, most likely by the effects of the violent eruption of the volcano of Santorini.
Phaistos is renowned as the site of the mythical palace of Radamanthys, the brother of Minos. As this palace was also built twice, it is mainly the ruins of the second palace that visitors see today.
The city of Heraklion has a number of other museums in addition to the Archaeological Museum. The Historical Museum traces the history of Crete from early Christian times. The 16th century Venetian church of Aghia Irini, famous as a centre of Art and Literature, now houses the Museum of Religious Art, and displays a magnificent collection of Byzantine icons. Traditional Cretan life is recreated in the Cretan open-air museum of Lychnostatis in Hersonissos - the most popular holiday resort in the Heraklion region where exhibits include a windmill, a stone house and a gallery. In this village one can also visit the fascinating Museum of Cretan Ethnology.
In the heart of Heraklion the ornate 17th century Morozini Fountain, the 17th century Loggia, the 16th century church Aghios Titos and the town's Aghios Minas cathedral are not be missed. Apart from this, the region around Heraklion is blessed by nature. Places to visit are Zaros, a surprisingly green oasis famous for its clear spring water and Matala, an idyllic bay with pitted sandstone cliffs looming dramatically over the beach.
Fodele is located along the coast north of Iraklio (Heraklion) and is a small village at the top of a steep cliff which claims to be the birthplace of the world famous painter El Greco. His house lies above the village's Byzantine church. For visitors looking for a livelier holiday, Hersonissos, Gouves and Malia, on the northeast coast are the ideal place for exciting nightlife. Visit the centre of European civilization, Visit Heraklion!!!
Wherever you are on Crete you will have the chance to enjoy Crete's history, admire its beauty and, of course, meet Cretan people.
Cretans are people who preserve their traditions that have been kept alive and expressed in many forms right up to modern times. Cretans are people with a strong religious awareness. They are direct, honest and extremely hospitable. This is the glorious Crete, the island of these proud and friendly people.

LOCATION & DISTANCES

• Distance from nearest airport: 23km (Heraklio)
• Distance from nearest port: 25km (Heraklio)
• Distance from cpital centre:: 25km
• Distance from Hersonissos village: 2km
• Distance from Agios Nikolaos town:30km