Eastern Crete
Istron is well removed from the touristic honeypots nearer the airport. Halfway around the splendidly scenic Gulf of Mirabello on the north-east coast, here Crete’s perennial charms - magnificent mountains, traditional inland villages and a sparkling open sea - are to the fore. At the excellent 5 star Istron Bay Hotel you can either stay put and completely relax or undertake a thorough exploration of this end of the island, because within a 90 minute drive there is almost too much to see and do. Go east, high above the sea to the small market town of Sitia, west to Heraklion, Knossos Palace and the museum; south for a different mood and miles of beach; inland to the high plateau of Lassithi; or simply discover a minoan site or Byzantine chapel. For a change take a boat trip to fortified Spinalonga island, or hit the bright lights of Aghios Nikolaos 13 kms away.
Gulf of Chania
Formerly the capital of the island, Chania is the main town in the west and has a strong Venetian flavour, particularly around its immense harbour, lined with restaurants. Behind, a maze of narrow lanes and crumbling Venetian facades conceal more restaurants, small shops and atmospheric cafés.
The area around
Chania is lush. Inland there are mountains and a myriad of tiny villages to explore. Every reasonably fit visitor should walk the
Samaria Gorge, Europe’s deepest (open early May to early October). The only exit is by boat. 18 kms to the west is Gerani, and the neighbouring small resort village of Maleme. This is a green, relatively undeveloped area. The beach is a wide natural expanse of sand and shingle, and stretches all the way to Kolymbari. Backed for much of its length by bamboo it is a protected turtle-nesting zone and hence little-commercialised. Even in high season you can find an isolated spot. And the clean open sea here affords excellent swimming. Maleme has a reasonable selection of restaurants, cafés and small shops. This whole area is a good base for exploration of the west, either by organised excursion, local bus (good service) or hire car. As everywhere in Crete, the mountains are never far away.
North West Crete
The neighbouring villages of
Kalives and
Almirida are at the entrance to Souda Bay (the largest natural harbour in the Aegean), with the White Mountains behind forming a majestic backdrop. Both enjoy fine sandy beaches, good swimming and a natural setting amidst the beautiful rolling countryside of Apokoronas (wonderful for walking). Kalives is the larger and boasts two long sandy beaches, one to either side, with sunbeds for rent.
South West Crete
The spectacular south-west coast encapsulates the best of Crete – dizzy mountain scenery (all peaks and gorges – Samaria is at its heart), a sparkling sea and some fine beaches
Crete is a different world compared to other parts of
Greece. Crete is a place with its own tradition, its own character and its own dialect. Local people are very proud of their Cretan origin. Throughout the island the remnants of occupation by invaders from the Romans, through to the Turks, can still be seen, with aqueducts and architecture still plainly visible. But throughout these invasions the Cretan people have remained relatively unscathed and retain their justifiable pride in their island and their culture. With English spoken widely throughout the island to ask a Cretan a question is to invite them to sit with you, and with time measured differently here you are likely to be sitting for while taking in long conversations that will naturally require food and drink. Nowadays,
Crete has a flourishing economy which is based partly on tourism. It has giant hotel resorts where you can enjoy splendid facilities. In the south of the island, you will find hundreds of exotic beaches, some crowded and some isolated which can satisfy any taste. Crete is famous for its fruit and vegetable production. So by visiting Crete, you have the chance to taste the world-known Cretan diet based on vegetables and pure olive oil.
