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Contents OF THE guide Welcomeand enjoy! 06 Old Town Chania 14 Cretan Gastronomy Project 24 Rich History If someone asked you to list the reasons 38 Greek Meze why you would choose a place to spend 40 Shopping Downtown your summer vacation, what would 46 Shopping Routes those be? Don’t think about it too much. 2 48 Samaria Gorge The trick is to give spontaneous an- 3 swers, or even better, to mentally trav- 60 Platanias el to that destination, create an image, 72 Incredible Beaches place yourself in it at a central spot and 76 Chania Map describe it out loud. CHANIA 2018 CHANIA 2018 Let me guess: you already feel the sun warm on your face! You listen to the sound of the sea as if you held a shell to your ear. You have a camera in one hand, DISCOVER DISCOVER a cool cocktail in the other and you taste unprecedented gastronomical joys. Don’t open your eyes yet! Let a warm smile see you off just before you leave your imaginative tour and listen closely to that little whisper inside your mind… Discover the magic of Chania! Olympian Pantheon Tourism Marketing Services www.olympianpantheon.gr Best Regards, 8, Tylissou & Kainouriou str. [email protected] 71202 Heraklion - Crete. Greece fb: Olympian Pantheon Elena Stamataki Tel. +30 2811103189 1 Old TOWN Chania The town of Chania is a magical destination itself, accumulating all of the beauty of the Mediterranean Sea, as well as the maagic of its 6 cultures. Centuries of history are traceable in 7 every corner and every alley of the town cen- ter. In the narrow streets of the hebrew neigh- borhood, to the Halepa and the Kum Kappi, The access to the center of Chania is easy historical buildings, the ruins of the fortifica- no matter which part of the municipality you CHANIA 2018 CHANIA 2018 choose to stay and so a visit to the town is tion walls, byzantine churches, mosques and neoclassical mansions mingle with the mod- definitely something one must do before ern part of the town. leaving Crete. The old town of Chania is bursting with life DISCOVER DISCOVER and activity from the first sunlight until late at night. The closed market and the flea market, small shops and picturesque hous- es with unique architecture, in court gar- dens with bougainvilleas and other color- ful flowers compose the puzzle of the town. A walk around the center feels like a peculiar treasure hunting, which leads you always to the same spot: The old venetian port. Across the pear which ends to the lighthouse that stands as a tireless guardian and protector of the city since the 16th century, there are all sort of restaurant and bars, offering fresh fish or delicious Cretan specialties, the best view of the town and your strongest memo- ry from your holiday in Chania. 2 The OLD HarbourA place to fall in love with 10 11 The picturesque old Town CHANIA 2018 CHANIA 2018 of Chania is altogether crowned by the beautiful be an architecture enthusiast, the old harbor attracting visitors first raw buildings looking onto the DISCOVER DISCOVER and locals like a magnet and, old harbor will amaze you as they thus, turning it to the busiest are reminiscent to a bygone age part of the coastal front. when the east was harmoniously All the little stone-paved al- ‘flirting’ with the west. The old harbor leys of this quarter of Chania of Chania was built by Venetians be- lead to the old harbor and tween 1320 and 1356. Nowadays, you one way or another, your en- can do yourself the favor and take a chanting walks will lead you long walk along the large bay, from to it. Pure fascination will one side to the other, between the overwhelm you when you Lighthouse and The Firkas Fortress. will see it for the first time The harbor is packed with numerous and the imposing Venetian cute cafes, tavernas serving fresh Lighthouse will certainly fish and Cretan dishes and bustling capture your vision at a first small bars promising an interesting glance. Even if you may not time after dark. 3 mirai japanese fusion restaurant THE JAPANESE AND ASIAN RESTAURANT MIRAI BRINGS THE CULINARY EXPERIENCE OF FAR EAST AT CHANIA sushi & cocktail experience Far East was never closer to Crete as it is in the Japanese fushion restaurant "Mirai"! Your palate will live unique sushi experiences at a magnificent, elegant atmosphere, suitable to enjoy the sophisticated dishes of the Japanese and Asian cuisine that the experienced Japanese chef offers you! Tsouderon 83 & Hatzimichali Daliani 11 Chania Old town reservation & take away tel: 28210 40261 [email protected] fb: Mirai sushi & cocktail bar instagram 12/6/18 9:13 πμ Cretan 14 GASTRONOMY 15 CHANIA 2018 CHANIA 2018 project DISCOVER DISCOVER Cretans’ high life expectancy is attribut- every year at Platanias municipality. ed to the benefits of cretan diet which in- Food in Crete is in fact a ritual, so take cludes vegetables, herbs, aromatic plants, the time to really savour perfumes, juices high olive oil consumption, honey, pulses and colors. and of course fish. Cretan cuisine is characterized by “sim- This “secret” is lavishly shared in many ple” tastes, which allow even an untrained restaurants and taverns, especially the palate to distinguish all flavors! ones that put emphasis in local cuisine A good meal may be accompanied by and products, often cultivated by their own the right local wine – do not fear to try family production. non bottled wine, in many occasions it is If you visit the island at the end of July to proved to be of exquisite quality or even beginning of August, do not miss out on the famous raki, ideal for every occasion tasting all sorts of local products and deli- according to Cretans! cacies on the food festival that takes place 4 GREEK CUISINE is legendary not a myth! 18 19 Greek myths reveal a lot about Greek cuisine and nutrition and most facts are CHANIA 2018 CHANIA 2018 confirmed by archaeological finds. The actual reference de- The ancient Greeks glorified scribes a wide and flat dough DISCOVER DISCOVER everything beautiful. made of flour and water This is why grapes and wine which is cut into strips. had their own God, Diony- This dough called the “laga- sus. Another God, the son of non” was transferred to Italy Apollo, Aristaeus, was ac- by the Greeks who colonized countable for teaching them the area in the 8th century how to make cheese. BC and was then renamed According to another myth, to Latin “laganum” or lasa- God Hephaestus had creat- gne as it called nowadays! In ed his own tool with which addition, the first ever book he manufactured ‘cords’ of about cooking in history was dough, meaning pasta and written by Greek Archestra- the first reference in history tos in 320 BC. about pasta is, indeed, made in 1000 BC in Greece in using the word “laganon”. 5 Theodosi restaurant is beautifully situated on Parigoria hilltop, just outside the town of Chania, Crete. The staff at Theodosi have a passion for Cretan cuisine and highlight the importance of using local products by partnering with small producers who endorse their love for high quality Cretan ingredients. The restaurant emphasizes Cretan dishes with an imaginative menu selection carefully prepared with fresh local products and compli- mented by a fine selection of Cretan wines. One’s culinary experience starts at the outdoor patio which offers spectacular sea and city views while savoring inspired drinks from around the globe. Theodosi focuses on bringing friends together, and having everybody experience Cretan hospitality at its best. 99 Paparigopoulou Str. - Chania, T.: +30 2821093733 Book your table online at www.theodosirestaurant.com 6 Rich History 24 25 CHANIA 2018 CHANIA 2018 DISCOVER DISCOVER Ottomans and Egyptians have formed a mul- ticultural puzzle, largely evident in its archi- tecture. A stroll around town suffices to give an idea of the historical depth of Chania, as monuments of different historical eras are scattered in Chania was built on the ruins of the pre- every corner of both the old and the modern historic city of Kidonia. Since then, im- parts. For those of you who are the eternal portant civilizations have prospered and fun spoilers of the gang and find a tour in the flourished, due to its important strategic museums more interesting than a cocktail by position and it’s fertile valley. the beach, consider visiting the collections of Over the centuries many conquerors the museums of Chania (archeological, nau- have left the traces of their presence, tical, byzantine, war museum, the residence giving the old town its unique identity: of Venizelos). Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Venetians, You can always have that cocktail later! 7 48 Thalassino Ageri Tabakaria 28 Enjoy delicious fresh fish and seafood CHANIA 2018 dishes at this quiet tavern which is a must among locals and connoisseurs. It is also a beautiful choice if you wish to es- DISCOVER cape the buzzing center of Chania for a ro- mantic and special dinner by the sea. It lies on a quiet little port, Tabakaria, which used to house old leather-processing warehous- es dating back to the 19th century. The stone-built buildings and the narrow passages of steep stairs leading down to the sea, create a unique architectural com- plex. We strongly recommend Thalassino Ageri for delicious fresh fish and seafood cooked in Mediterranean style. Grilled octo- pus and calamari, sea urchin salad, lobster with pasta and home-made bread will satis- fy your palate.