As far back as 8000BC, when King Minos is alleged to have built Knossos Palace and its labyrinth to house his notorious Minotaur, Cretans have had a unique respect for their natural surroundings.
In fact, the distinctive environment shapes everything on this, the largest of the Greek islands, from what Cretans eat (olive oil, carob, vine leaves and freshly caught octopus) to how they cure illness (the dittany herb is known to relieve stomach pain).
