Related Resources • Events and Folklore • Rhodes • All About Crete • Greek Shopping Online

Elsewhere on the Web • The Anastenaria in Aghia Eleni • Battle of Crete Museum • ExploreCrete: Preveli Project

May starts with May Day, a national labor holiday with parades and other festivities. In a year already marked with protests, the May Day celebration may be a particularly vigorous one. It also marks the Feast of the Flowers, a springtime appreciation of flowers which is a celebration with very ancient "roots" in festivals of the goddess Demeter. Later in the month, ancient customs continue in the Anastenaria, an observance which includes fire walking - really dancing - over pits filled with coals, primarily celebrated in Aghia Eleni near Serres and Langada outside of Thessaloniki.

On Crete, the Battle of Crete is commemorated in many places throughout the month, with a major observance in Heraklion. The resistance to Adolf Hitler's paratrooper invasion of the island was so intense that the Fuhrer declared that he would never again launch a similar attack. Many families still light candles to loved ones lost six decades ago in what was a very dark passage in the history of the island. See the links above for details on the battle, the vigorous resistance, and its ultimate effect on Crete.

On Rhodes, May 26th sees a flower festival filling the streets of the Old City. This area is picturesque under any condition, but this promises to liven up the old stone walls with brilliant splashes of color. Photographers, take note. In addition to the flowers, many booths offer Rhodian delicacies and an ample selection of the wines of Rhodes.

Quick Look at May:

Mainland Weather: Warm, sometimes even hot.
Island/Coastal Weather: Terrific - pleasantly warm, light breezes.
Prices: Low/moderate
Events: Local festivals; Easter can occur in May.
Facilities: Island hotels and restaurants all open. Boat schedules, air schedules increase.
Budget/Independent travelers: Great time to go!

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