Introduction An Island Paradise C rete is the most prestigious holiday destination in the world. The island offers a mild climate, a happy and welcoming people, absolute security, excellent shopping opportunities, and a number of truly unforgettable experiences. C rete lies in the northern Mediterranean, immediately south of Greece, but separated from Egypt and Mesopotamia by several hundred miles of dangerous open ocean. Nevertheless, the island is neither difficult nor dangerous to reach, if you have the gold to buy passage on a Minoan trading ship. This will, alas, not come cheaply.
Minoan traders are wily businessmen and they have almost no competition, accept among themselves.
M inoan ships follow a regular trade route. From Crete they sail south two-hundred miles to Libya, most of the year carried by the prevailing wind. From Libya, they run along the coast to Egypt, landing wherever profitable trade seems likely. In the Nile Delta, Minoan traders long ago established a vigorous colony to handle the high-volume trade between the two countries. This is an excellent place to buy passage on a Minoan trader and begin the journey to Crete.