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CHANIA - RETHYMNO - HERAKLIO - AGIOS-NIKOLAOS
CHANIA
 THE OLD CITY OF CHANIA is surrounded by the renowned Venetian walls of the 15th century, which are a representative piece of the Venetian architecture. Old Venetian buildings, beautifully renovated fascinate you with the magic of the era and make you travel back in time. Narrow streets lead you among the Venetian and Turkish buildings, indicating the passage of the conquerors. The old harbor with its long Venetian pier and the lighthouse remind the years that Chania were a big commercial city.
APTERA Eastward of Chania is Aptera, built in the 7th century and it was one of the most important city-states in Crete. It was named after the Sirens, according to mythology, who out of sorrow because they had lost in a music contest by the Muses pulled out their wings and drowned in Souda bay (Aptera=without wings). The town experienced a period of great prosperity during which it minted more than 70 different coins . These coins were the motive to be localized by Robert Pashley in 1834 , when digging randomly, he found them. Aptera, after its destruction by the Turks in 823 , had disappeared without anyone knowing its exact location. There are ruins of a theater, a temple consecrated to Demetra of the Hellenic Time as well as Roman tanks in a good condition. Walls of 4 kilometers in perimeter are also preserved. There are more contemporary buildings, such as the Venetian Monastery of Saint John . Many coins that represented the head of Hera and Artemis.
COVERED MARKET Wether or not you are a self catering you should at leats feast your eyes on this magnificent covered food market ;It makes all food markets look like stalls at church bazaar. It has the shape of a cross with doors at each end and it is considered one of the most important markets in the Balkans.
 KOURNAS A semi- mountainous village with a lovely lake of the same name the only one in Crete, surrounded by mountainous masses constituting a landscape of unique beauty . The ancient name of the lake was Korissia Athina and it is said that it was once a sanctuary of the same name although there is no proof at this time.
VAMOS is the capital of the municipality, a well-preserved village with wonderful traditional houses, some of which have been restored and are already used as guest houses.According to historical sources its first inhabitants were Arab pirates around the 8th century. There is still a preserved traditional stone road and the walks around the old part of the village are very interesting.The village of Vamos has a rich cultural tradition and in the recent years lots of cultural activities are taking place during the year.
 OMALOS
Most tourists only hurry through Omalos on their way to Samaria Gorge but this plateau town deserves more. The air is bracingly cool in comparison with the sweltering coast in summer and there are some great mountain walks in this area. After the morning Samaria rush, there is hardly anyone on the plateau except goats and shepherds. Its situated 36km south of Chania.
THERISO, ZOURVA AND MESKLA A very pretty drive though a mini-gorge to the village of Therisso and if you want to make it a round trip you can continue from Therisso up to the village of Zourva on an unmade road. Zourva is a tiny but picturesque village with one tavern. From Zourva you can continue on to the village of Mesklaand back to Chania.
POLYRINIA Up in the hills above Kastelli is the ancient site of Polyrinia where remains dating back to the 6th Century BC have been found. Polyrinia, 275m above sea level was an ancient Acropolis during the Hellenistic period, then an ancient city occupied by the Romans and then later became a Venetian stronghold walled by towers. Polyrinia is definitely worth a visit for its beautiful views over the bay of Kastelli, for its peaceful location, and in the early season for the spring flowers. You can leave you car in the village and walk up the hill to the ancient site.
 LOUTRO is situated at the end of Cape Mouri, where the ancient city of Finix stood. The village was named after the baths (Loutra) found in the area, and from which water was directed to nearby Anopoli. Later it became the winter time port of the town of Sfakia, due to the fact that the enclosed bay and the small island in its entrance create a natural harbor where ships can be safe even in very bad weather conditions. Loutro is completely closed from all roads, only sea and waking path accessible.Mountains rearing straight up from the sea deep wooded gorges.Today the village of Loutro is a great attraction for tourists, especially for other Cretans who escape the crowded and noisy northern regions of Crete.The majestic scenery, beauty, crystal clear Mediterranean water, friendly people and peacefulness makes Loutro the perfect choice for an unforgettable holiday.
 MALEME
Sixteen kms west of Hania, is the coastal village of Maleme, famous for the heroic battle fought there against the German paratroopers in May 1941.There is a German Cemetery up on the hill side facing the plain of Maleme where 4464 German soldiers who died during the battle of Crete and the years of occupation are buried here.
SITE OF ANCIENT KYDONIA Chania sits on of the ancient city of Kydonia which was allegedly founded by Kidon, grandson of King Minos. The remains here mayhave been the site of a palace destroyed in the fire of 1450BC. Kidonia became an important site under the dorians and the Romans, Byzantinesand Venetians. Each group built over the remains of the prior occupation, which means that a full excavation of ancient Kidonia would require tearing up most of modern Chania. You can see some of the remainings at junction Kanevaro and Kandanoleou.
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RETHYMNO
 RETHEMNOS Fortezza castle. (Daily, from am to sunset). At the place where the ancient acropolis was, one of the largest Venetian castles, overlooking the sea and the town. It was built in the 16th century to protect the population of the town against the pirate raids. Inside, where once a big number of buildings could be found, now only some tanks and a mosque (before a Catholic church) with a very big cupola, stay almost intact. These remains, as well as the view of the town and the coast, make it necesssary to visit. The walk along it, from the side of the sea, at sunset, offers a glorious view of its impressive defending walls and ramparts, -that become illuminated at night, together with romantic images of the coast.
The Venetian harbor. Originally built in the 13th century, it is one of the most picturesque spots in Rethymno.
ANOGIA
It is a small town, built at an altitude of 750m on Mountain Psiloritis. It was often burned down by its conquerors. There is also a folklore museum. Here, the visitor can call in on the cave in which, according to mythology, Zeus was born.The people are mainly employed in stock raising while the women carry on the long tradition of weaving for which Anogia became an attraction to many visitors buying hand woven cloth.
In this, difficult to reach, area people have developed a sense of independence and love of liberty that did not, however, save them from calamity during the recent history. Often the center of revolutionary movements during the Turkish and German occupations. In August 1944, in reprisal for the resistance activity of the inhabitants, the village was flattened and many of its residents were executed.
 SPILI This gorgeous mountain town with cobbled streets rustic houses and plane trees is beginning to attract more tourists. The highlight, in the town center is a Venetian fountain spurting water from 19 lion heads. Its situated 30km south of Rethymno.
ARKADI
A beautifull monastery in the hills above Rethimnon, of particular symbolic value to the Cretans in their struggle against oppression by the Turks after a particular violent and valorous encounter in 1866. You can read more about Arkadi on our monasteries section .
MELIDONI CAVE
In the 1824 over 300 villagers took refuge in the cave against the Turkish army, so the Turks threw burning materials through a hole in the top of the cave and everyone was asphyxiated. After paying homage to the martyrs at a monument , you can wonder through a series of chambers filled with stalactites and stalagmites. Its situated 21km east of Rethymno.
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HERAKLIO
 KNOSSOS
The Minoan Palace of Knossos lies at a distance of 5 km from the town centre of Iraklion along the road to Archanes.The imposing Palace is built on the hill of "Kefala" next to the river "Kairatos", in a site which was admired for its natural advantages, the strong position, good water supplies, access to the sea and proximity to a large fertile forest. The forest that produced the "Cephalonian Pine" a tree that supplied the beams and the columns for the construction of the Palace. The site itself includes the Palace of Knossos, The Minoan Houses, the "Little Palace", the "Royal Villa", the villa "Dionysos" with famous Roman mosaics, the south Royal Temple - Tomb and the "Caravanserai".
BEMBO FOUNTAIN the fountain was built by the Venetians in the 16th century from hotchpoch of building materials including an ancient statue. The ornate edifice next to the was added by the Turks.
 ROCCA AL MARE FORTRESS The 16th Century Venetian fortress stopped the turks for 22 years and then became aTurkish prison for Cretan rebels. The exterior is most impressive, with reliefs of the Lion of St. Mark. The interior has 26 overly-restored rooms and good views from the top.
ARCHANES
South of Heraklion, at a distance of 15 Km. Inside the village, a major Minoan palace has been found, estimated to have three storeys and serving as a summer retreat. Also visit the domed tombs at Fourni hill a Minoan era cemetery (ca 2500 - 1250 BC).Nearby, at the foothill of Giouhta another Minoan worship temple has been excavated, believed to belong both to Knossos and Archanes
 MATALA West of Mires, by the coast, enclosed by sandstone cliffs riddled with ancient tombs and a nice and popular beach by the Lybian SeaMatala was the ancient port of Phaestos and Gortys and a former fishing community, which has developed into a modern holiday centre. It is located 4 km southwest of the village of Pitsidia and 75 km from Iraklion. It is built on the coastline of the Messara bay inside a small and picturesque inlet.
ZAROS A picturesque village in the prefecture of Iraklion.Located on the mountains close to the lake of Votomos, a small body of water set in a picturesque area. The path to the Rouvas forest, a walk worth taking, starts from the lake. Many villages around, like Gergeri and Kamares (with a cave) are worth visiting.
ANO-VIANNOS This delightful village on the southern flanks of Mt Dikti has an interesting foklore museum and the church of Agia Pelagia with fine frescoes by Nikiforos Fokas. Its 42km west of Mirtos and you can get there by car or 2 weekly bus services from Heraklio.
GOUVES This is a small but quickly-developing resort, set along a coastline of sandy, rocky, bays. Although a peacful location, it does have a selectio of tavernas, bars and shops. The resort centre is scattered by quiet roads and fields. It is a good base for exploring other north coast resorts which are easily accesibly by bus or car. Transfer from Heraklio airport is approximately 40 mins.
MALIA Malia has plenty to do day and night. Take your pick from a lively assortment of tavernas, pubs and discos or lazing on a lovely strech of a beach. Transfer from Heraklio airport aproximately 1 hour and 30 mins.
HERSONISSOS Ideal for sea, sun and fun lovers. Small sand beaches lie along the edge of the resort offering plenty of watersports. There is a small port and a promenade and in the evenings, Hersonissos offers plenty of nightilife. Transfer from Heraklio approximately 1 hour.
STALIS Situated mid-way between Herssonisos and Malia on Crete's northern coast, Stalis is a smaller resort, with an excellent sandy beach and a good choice of watersports. Itnever gets too lively her, and Stalis enjoys an excelent selection of tavernas and restaurants, where fish is a particular speciality. A good base for exploring further afield, it's an easy bus ride to Malia, Hersonissos, and Heraklion. Transfers from Heraklio airport approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
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AGIOS NIKOLAOS
 OLD TOWN OF IERAPETRA Just inland the harbour, the labyrinthine streets of the old town provide a delightful glimpse of small-town life. You will see matrons in black watching kids kicking soccer balls while the laundry dries on clotheslines over the street.
MOCHLOS Today this is just a small island close to the shore, but in Minoan times it was a peninsula and had two harbors.It was inhabited in the Neolithic period and throughout the Minoan periods, and again in Greco-Roman and Byzantine times.
The Mohlos tombs produced the largest and richest collection of gold jewelry of the period. Among other finds of interest were a gold signet ring, seal stones and stone vases. The Minoan settlement was on the southern part of the island with cemeteries of rock tombs and burials in sarcophagi and funerary urns of the Protopalatial and Neopalatial periods. The Greco-Roman and Byzantine settlement was on the north. Mohlos is a good place for spending lazy times by the water. Several taverns are available for good food and fresh fish.
VENETIAN FORTRESS IN I ERAPETRA Built in the early years of Venetian rule and strengthened by Francesco Morosini in 1626, the fortress has recently been restored. You can visit it but theres not much to see. GOURNIA Dating from 1550-1450 BC, Gournia's palace was less ostentatious than those of Knossos and Phaestos it was the residence of an overworld rather than a king. The town is anetwork of streets and stairways flanked by houses. Trade, domestic and agricultural implements found indicate that Gournia was a thriving little community. 18km southeast of Agios-Nikolaos. Gournia is on the Sitia and Ierapetra bus routes from Agios-Nikolaos.
 LATO Founded in the 7th century BC by the Dorians Lato was one of Crete's most powerful cities. It sprawls over the slopes of two acropolies in a lonely mountain setting, with stunning views of the Gulf of Mirabelo. 13 km southwest of Agios-Nikolaos to Kritsa.
CHURCH OF PANAGIA KERA Gracing the interior of this tiny tripled-aisled church are frescoes that are considered the most outstanding examples of Byzantine art on Crete. 10 km southwest of Agios-Nikolaos.
 SPINALOGA ISLAND Known as the island of dead, spinaloga is a former leper colony and a fascinating day from Agios-Nikolaos. The cemetery with its open graves is especially strange. Dead lepers came in 3 classes: those who had saved their goverment pension for a concrete box; those whose relations bought them a proper grave and the destitute whose remains were thrown into a charnel house. The last leper died in 1953 and the island has been uninhabited since.
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