New York-based travel site Wonderlust Travel features an extensive article on the regional unit of Lasithi on the island of Crete, highlighting its authenticity and unique beauty for those planning to visit the 5th largest Mediterranean island.

Anthony Grant, who pens the article, presents his experience visiting the Azorias archaeological site, which hosts the iconic Monumental Olive Tree.

“Despite illusions to the contrary, time doesn’t really stop here, and as living proof of that there is the Monumental Olive Tree of Kavousi, situated on a protected site beneath the ruins of Azoria. According to an olive chronology method that involves evaluating the annual growth rings this tree dates to the Post-Palatial Minoan Period of Cretan history, and could be more than 3,000 years old. She wears her age well: the richly textured trunk boasts a diameter of 16 feet with a total circumference of nearly 47 feet, and the tree still bears fruit. There must be something in the soil as well as the air around here; because Lasithi produces more than 40,000 tons of olive oil a year and it is said to be among the world’s best,” Grant writes.

The site, perched on a double-peaked hill above the Gulf of Mirabello in eastern Crete, is described as Crete’s own Machu Picchu by Grant, who continued his journey to the traditional village of Kavousi and the Byzantine churches. The author also praises the region’s gastronomy.

The piece draws attention to the southern coastline of Lasithi in Crete—stretching from Myrtos to Zakros—with particular mention of idyllic spots such as Agia Fotia and Makry Gialos.

The author vividly describes the landscapes and crystal-clear waters, noting that they “seem to sound like music.” He goes on to muse, “Could it get any better than this? Maybe in the movies—but this scene is real.”