Searching for Mediterranean Sweets and Desserts from Local Hotels
The Mediterranean islands have got a reputation for their sweet, sticky pastries and cakes. Many of their famous desserts like halva and baklava are known world-wide but it's only in their own country of origin that you truly appreciate just how wonderful these creations can be! Such is their reputations that people on holiday in the Mediterranean islands, leave their hotels and go into the local towns in search of these little pieces of confectionery heaven! The desserts were always very sugary and flavoured with local honey to provide energy for the working man to get him through his exhaustive day.
If you're looking for sweets near your Crete hotels, then you should be sure to pick up some baklava. The Greeks make fantastic baklava, which is made from filo pastry, honey, and chopped nuts. It's very sweet but especially decadent, and the traditional sugar shops which were once in abundance can still be found here and there. If you can't find a sugar shop then the local bakeries and even restaurants should be able to help you get your baklava fix.
Other confection on sale would be the immensely rich Galaktobouriko which is filo pastry filled with a sweet milk custard and sugar syrup. Halva in many different versions is also widely available. It's a nougat type of sweet made from sesame seeds and almonds which is sometimes covered in chocolate.
If you're booking into Cyprus hotels, ask where you can find Lokma, the traditional Cypriot dessert. These are sweet dough balls dipped in a sweet syrup and can be especially more-ish. There is a great mix of Greek and Turkish influences in the food in Cyprus.
A similar dessert is Katmer which are easily recognisable as they are long hollow cylinders made from dough sheets which have been rolled and twisted. These cylinders are stuffed with a mixture of walnuts or almonds and glazed with sweet sugar syrup.
If you're looking for sweets near your Crete hotels, then you should be sure to pick up some baklava. The Greeks make fantastic baklava, which is made from filo pastry, honey, and chopped nuts. It's very sweet but especially decadent, and the traditional sugar shops which were once in abundance can still be found here and there. If you can't find a sugar shop then the local bakeries and even restaurants should be able to help you get your baklava fix.
Other confection on sale would be the immensely rich Galaktobouriko which is filo pastry filled with a sweet milk custard and sugar syrup. Halva in many different versions is also widely available. It's a nougat type of sweet made from sesame seeds and almonds which is sometimes covered in chocolate.
If you're booking into Cyprus hotels, ask where you can find Lokma, the traditional Cypriot dessert. These are sweet dough balls dipped in a sweet syrup and can be especially more-ish. There is a great mix of Greek and Turkish influences in the food in Cyprus.
A similar dessert is Katmer which are easily recognisable as they are long hollow cylinders made from dough sheets which have been rolled and twisted. These cylinders are stuffed with a mixture of walnuts or almonds and glazed with sweet sugar syrup.
About the Author:
Claire Collins is a keen traveller and writer, featuring her favourite hotels and travel tips.