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Crete Crete Crete Is a Place Apart – Not Just Another Greek Island, More Like a Separate Country

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Crete Crete Crete Is a Place Apart – Not Just Another Greek Island, More Like a Separate Country Greece | Crete Crete Crete is a place apart – not just another Greek island, more like a separate country. Crete lies on the same latitude as Tunisia with the same baking hot summers; but here pleasantly tempered by breezes from the sea. CHANIA Falasarna Platanias Kalives Kastelli Almirida Panormos HERAKLION Rethymnon Vai Arkadi Monastery Samaria Georgioupolis Gorge Knossos Aghios Sitia Nikolaos Mochlos Mt Idi Chora Paleochora Istron Sfakion Plakias Zakros Elafonissi Loutro Zaros Island Makriyialos SOUTH COAST FERRY Aghia Galini Ierapetra Myrtos Phaestos The land is infinitely varied – mountain ranges rise up to 8,000 feet, Europe’s deepest gorge winds for twelve miles through rock walls at times 1,000 feet high, and countless beaches lead to a clear blue sea. Add to these high alpine meadows, well watered plains and valleys, a rich archaeology, and flora and fauna as yet largely unthreatened and you have a country worth a visit. But the most striking aspect of this land is its people. Shaped by centuries of struggle against oppression, they are as rugged as the mountains, fiercely independent, and passionately loyal to Crete and one another. Read ‘Zorba the Greek’ for a marvellous evocation of the people and the place – or any other of Kazantakis’ novels. It is a good idea to hire a car and explore. Seek out a Minoan palace, a mountain You needn’t go far, because the holiday plateau, a Byzantine monastery. Turn trade is confined largely to the four main southwards into the high, wild hinterland towns and the coast. Any working village for the essence of an ancient legend- will reward your effort – perhaps with an haunted land. invitation to a celebration (there’s always Quite unlike any other island Crete is for something to celebrate!) or just to drink travellers as well as for tourists. It is an raki at the coffee shop, you never know. experience not to be missed. CREtE INfORmAtION Getting to Crete Tuesday Day flight Gatwick or Manchester to Chania. Then by coach or taxi – see resort description. For flight details see page 270. multi-Centre Options All areas can be mixed – suggest North with South coast, or Paleochora with Loutro. For multi-centre details see page 8. Car Hire See page 268-9 for details. Representative Based in Chania area (will visit all NW resort areas) and Paleochora. Samaria Gorge 218 | Sunvil 020 8758 4758 www.sunvil.co.uk Greece | Crete Paleochora 020 8758 4758 www.sunvil.co.uk Greece & Cyprus | 219 Greece | Crete Our chosen areas on Crete North West Coast North Coast South West Coast Chania area, Kalives Georgioupolis & Paleochora & Loutro & Almirida Panormos transfer time 90 minutes (Paleochora) to 2 hours (Loutro) transfer time 20-30 mins (Chania), 45 transfer time 1-1½ hours Transfer time 90 minutes (Paleochora) to 2 mins (Kalives), 1 hour (Almirida) The seaside village of Georgioupolis hours (Loutro) Chania is the main town in the west and has between Chania and the historic town of The spectacular south-west coast a strong Venetian flavour, particularly around Rethymnon offers a relaxed Cretan charm encapsulates the best of Crete – dizzy its immense harbour, lined with restaurants. with plenty to do away from its 10 kms. of mountain scenery, a sparkling sea and some Behind, a maze of narrow lanes and sandy beach. The village is large enough to fine beaches. In fact a winding drive through crumbling Venetian facades conceal more satisfy all tastes but not so big it loses its the mountains is the only way in to restaurants, small shops and atmospheric village feeling. cafés. Paleochora other than by sea. The village hub is its large central square, There are plenty of restaurants and cafés A half-hour drive east of Chania, quite buzzy at night when the cafes and above the sea or in the main street. In the neighbouring Kalives and Almirida are at the tavernas are full. There are plenty of taverna summer evenings there is a positively entrance to Souda Bay (the largest natural restaurants elsewhere and a handful of bars. cosmopolitan atmosphere, as both roads are harbour in the Aegean), the White Georgioupolis has good amenities including sealed to traffic. Mountains behind forming a majestic ATMs, a doctor, pharmacy and several backdrop. Both enjoy fine sandy beaches supermarkets. A regular fast bus service runs The main beach is of fine golden sand and and beautiful rolling countryside. along the coastal road behind making a trip stretches for nearly a kilometre – it affords Walking in this beautiful region, called to Rethymnon quick, easy and affordable (c superb swimming. Inland offers wonderful Apokoronas, is a major attraction and your €4 last year). walking – try Agia Irini gorge as an alternative to popular Samaria. Sunvil representative is happy to give advice With the White Mountains as a majestic and hand out walking maps. backdrop, there are plenty of traditional Boats run to the foot of Samaria, to Sougia Kalives has retained its village atmosphere villages to explore inland by foot, car or road (another gorge here), remote Elafonissi and boasts two long sandy beaches, one to train, and Lake Kournas is only 3 kms away. island, or simply for spotting dolphins. either side. Centred around a tree-shaded The Almiros River runs to one side of the During high summer Paleochora can be square, housing a couple of cafés and the village and is home to numbers of geese, windy. In the early season, there is the bonus handsome church, Kalives has a good choice frogs and terrapins. Take a pedalo trip to the of countless wild flowers up in the hills. of authentic local tavernas and small shops small lake just upstream, a boat trip to sea Unrealistically pretty and quite tiny (pop. which cater for most needs. caves, or a fishing trip. 100!), you can only reach Loutro on foot or Life in the thriving small resort of Almirida 20 minutes drive beyond Rethymnon, the by boat – there are no roads and no cars! revolves around the beach and the dozen atmospheric village of Panormos has Guarded by steep mountains, half-a-dozen tavernas now here. The area has developed everything we look for – oodles of laid back waterfront restaurants serve an amazing in recent years and the village now has charm, two good sandy beaches, a variety of dishes. Canoes can be rented to several café-bars, a bakery and a pair of well photogenic harbour (with church above and explore nearby sea caves and beaches, and a stocked mini-markets. Almirida now has just tavernas to each side) and, above all, a true small boat runs to others. This is superb the right balance between lazy days on the Greek village atmosphere. Yet, remarkably walking country and the hotel is happy to long curve of sandy beach - there are plenty for such a pretty place, foreign tourism here give further information. of sunbeds and beach cafés as well as non- is still low-key and there is only one hotel. Much of the time Loutro is peaceful, but it motorised water sports (windsurf, kayak, Panormos has everything close to hand, does get busy at weekends and in the high paddleboard, pedalo) - and a vibrant but not including some ten tavernas and a good season. For a complete break in an idyllic OTT evening atmosphere. For a change of selection of local shops in the narrow streets setting, you could do no better. scene why not walk up the hill to the leading down to the harbour and beach. A traditional village of Plaka (20 mins.) and Paleo and Loutro make an excellent twin fun trip is the ‘road-train’ which runs to centre holiday, using the ferry which runs enjoy dinner in the square in one of the villages in the hills. For bright lights several fine local tavernas here?From both along the south coast via Roumeli where Rethymnon can be easily reached by the you change boats. Book Paleo as the first Almirida and Kalives bicycles can be hired, frequent local bus. excursions operate (from late May), there is a centre to avoid a long wait here. bus to Chania and taxis are available. Kalives Almirida Paleochora 220 | Sunvil 020 8758 4758 www.sunvil.co.uk Greece | Crete | North West Coast Serenissima Boutique Hotel Chania Old Town The Serenissima is a beautiful hotel - Views are over the courtyard or of a fitting tribute to such an the old town. Due to the age of the atmospheric town and an ideal building there are no balconies luxury base. Located within the (there is seating in the courtyard to narrow alleys of the old Venetian which the Superior double room town, the hotel is within a few has direct access) but the two top minutes' walk of the old port. floor Superior Suites each have a furnished private terrace. One of The building is a monument in itself these is split level, with the and has been lovingly restored. bedroom on a gallery above the Arches from the Venetian period are living area. prevalent throughout. The unique, fully restored Ottoman Hammam The hotel houses an exclusive (bath) is representative of the hotel’s restaurant and wine bar with some philosophy - serenity, luxury and excellent local and imported wines. relaxation. The hotel has just 7 rooms (19 sq m) and open plan suites (27-48 sq m), each with its own character. Facilities are the same in all and include luxury king-size bedding with pillow menu, room safe, AC, Wifi and high speed internet, complimentary tea-making facilities, smart TV, mini bar, shower room with luxury bathroom amenities and The Hotel: Luxury Boutique hairdryer.
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