Cretaquarium - a Crete Tours Destination

You can decide to visit several other places, apart from visiting the Greek heritage sites, while buying your Crete tours package. The Cretaquarium - Thalassocosmos complex, a state-of-the-art sea water aquarium is one such place among several others, which you could decide to add to you Crete tours itinerary. The aquarium works as a modern-day research, educational and entertainment facility for those seeking to learn about the Mediterranean sea-life. Researchers and holidaymakers are known to throng this place in good numbers throughout the year. Cretans are known to have been living alongside the ocean since the Minoan era, and it is fitting that a state-of-the-art aquarium should be added to your Crete tours plan.

The Cretaquarium - Thalassocosmos was opened in December 2005 at a former US army base in Gournes, Crete and it immediately became a key ingredient for the seekers of Crete tours. The aquarium, which has been funded under the EEA Financial Mechanism by Norway and part of 29 similar projects, has been able to draw more than 100,000 visitors by this time. Greek holidays have always had a fair bit of sea adventure attached with them, since most archeological sites are spread across several islands apart from the mainland Greece. Those who may decide to buy their share of Crete tours will also find themselves yachting and visiting the Cretaquarium - Thalassocosmos .

The aquarium is designed to have room for 300 visitors at any given period of time during your Crete tours, and could be visited throughout the year, including all public and religious holidays. Either your tour operator that might have sold you a Crete tours package or the local guide will help you reach out there. The Minoan Civilization, which is believed to have flourished across the Greek island of Crete, is known to have depended heavily on seafaring for its livelihood. According to some experts, the occurrence of the Thera volcanic eruption only a tad earlier before the Minoan Civilization fell apart, was the chief cause for its annihilation. Minoans heavily suffered in the area of sea trade due to this natural calamity, it is believed.

You could choose to see ancient wall painting, showcasing an inherent connection between the Minoans and aquatic life, while being on your Crete tours. The paintings will also show how seafaring the Minoans were, by depicting their action packed life style. While being inside the Cretaquarium, you could watch up to four thousand marine organisms through various methods. The aquarium is made to accommodate these organisms within specially designed and fabricated tanks, filled with an estimated amount of 1.6 million liters of seawater. Visitors can watch these species through glass and acrylic windows, while being on their Crete tours.

Some very small organisms, such as eggs and larva, are displayed through a large screen, which the visitors can decide to manipulate themselves. The aquarium, built over an area of 5000 m2, has several ingredients to add to your Crete tours. For example, you can sip coffee at two different places and spend time chatting at the central meeting point. More information could be garnered about the Cretaquarium - Thalassocosmos complex either online or through your Crete tours guide.