Crete traits (such as its own poetry and music). It was once the centre of the Minoan civilisation (), which is the earliest known civilisation in Europe. The palace of Knossos lies in Crete. The island is first referred to as "Kaptara" in texts from the Syrian city of Mari dating from the 18th century BC, repeated later in Neo-Assyrian records and the Bible ("Caphtor"). It was also known in ancient Egyptian as "Keftiu", strongly suggesting a similar Minoan name for the island. The current name of Crete is thought to be first attested in Mycenaean Greek texts written in Linear
Minoan Group plc Minoan Group plc Minoan Group plc is a Glasgow-based travel and leisure company. Its shares are listed on the AIM (alternative investment market) section of the London Stock Exchange. The Executive Chairman, Christopher W Egleton, joined the company in 1995. Duncan Wilson, former chief executive of Direct Holidays, has served as Managing Director since 2009. Its subsidiaries include Stewart Travel. In May 2017, the group acquired Morningside Travel, which was placed into a division also containing Cruise Kings, Scotland’s Cruise Centre, Golf Kings and Ski Kings. Minoan Group made a gross profit of £4m in the year ending April 2017.