Spinalonga is a small island located in Lasithi , in the province of Mirabello near Elounda . It has also been known as the island of lepers . The ancient name of the island is Caledon but after it was conquered by the Venetians named Spinalonga .

When the Turks invaded Cyprus , the Venetians began fortifying Crete
considering it to be the next target of the Ottomans . Thus began fortifying Spinalonga in 1574 . Finally, the island was occupied in 1715 by the Turks .

Since 1903 , Spinalonga became operational as Leper . Initially only disconnects the Cretans lepers but gradually transferred patients from all over Greece until it finally came to an International Leper .
The virus of leprosy was contagious and apart the absence of treatment. Living conditions were difficult as patients could not cover many times nor their basic needs so that they escape from the island in search of food . In 1948 he was discovered in America in medicine that cured the deadly disease resulting in drastically reduced the number of patients in Spinalonga .

Today Spinalonga has declared an archaeological site . The British author Victoria Hislop has give a special mention as he wrote an entire novel about the island of lepers . The novel is called ” The Island ” , has become a best -seller and has been translated into 14 languages ​​.

AG.NIKOLAOS

Agios Nikolaos is the largest natural bay in Crete , in the Gulf of Mirabello . It is the capital of Lassithi and has a population of 10,000 inhabitants. There is very scenic lake of Agios Nikolaos , around which is built the city center . There are many urban legends about the lagoon of Saint Nicholas. According to tradition , the ancient goddesses Athena and Artemis used to bathe in it. Another urban legend
argues that the Lake has not bottomed and that associated with the volcano .

An atmosphere full of mysteries is waiting for you as you enjoy a relaxing boat journey. The island of Spinalonga, actually a little island – rock just 850 meters round the gulf of Elounda, was firstly inhabited by Christians who used the island as a hiding place during the Roman occupation of Crete. In 1575 the Venetians constructed there a most impressive fortress, which was later converted into a colony for the lepers. The boat will stay for about one hour in the little rock of Spinalonga giving you time to go around and see the island.

The next stop will be the small and beautiful village of Elounda where you will have time to enjoy your lunch and do some shopping and sight seen in the fishermen´s village. After finishing the lunch you will return slowly back to Agios Nikolaos giving you time for sunbathing and relax on the sun decks of the boat, with a stop for swimming in Kolokitha beach, a nice sandy beach located between Spinalonga and Elounda on the way back to Agios Nikolaos.