poniedziałek, 19 grudnia 2011
Beaches of West Crete
The water on the north coast is a touch warmer than on the south coast but not as clear (or clean). The water on the south coast (Libyan sea) is slightly colder because the mountains drop steeply into the sea and there are a number of (cold) underground springs emerging into the sea. The sea is very clear, apparently due to a high concentration of limestone in the water.
Nudism is illegal in Greece (except in a few designated areas) but tolerated in a number of places. I will indicate where it is possible. The situation might change suddenly (often when a beach canteen is built a "No nudism" sign will appear) so please keep us updated. Topless sunbathing is fine, unless the beach is right in a village.
Nudism is illegal in Greece (except in a few designated areas) but tolerated in a number of places. I will indicate where it is possible. The situation might change suddenly (often when a beach canteen is built a "No nudism" sign will appear) so please keep us updated. Topless sunbathing is fine, unless the beach is right in a village.
Rethymnon
The very long beach of Rethymnon is nowadays lined by hotels. It gets a little quieter as you go towards the east.
The very long beach of Rethymnon is nowadays lined by hotels. It gets a little quieter as you go towards the east.
Georgioupolis
The beach has nice sand and is 9 km long. Many hotels have been built on it but the eastern end is still pretty quiet. Be careful when you swim, the currents can be strong. If you get carried away, don't panic, the current moves mostly parallel to the beach and not out to sea . Watch children closely. Drowning accidents happen every year!
Elafonisos
Before it was "discovered" about 10 years ago, Elafonisos was THE secret paradise beach of West Crete. With a small island you can wade to, red coral sand beach and nobody far and wide. Nowadays, bus tours come from Chania and a daily boat service brings visitors from Paleochora. The magic has gone, the rubbish has come (at least I believe that it gets taken away nowadays). It is still worth a visit but don't go when the wind is strong.
Before it was "discovered" about 10 years ago, Elafonisos was THE secret paradise beach of West Crete. With a small island you can wade to, red coral sand beach and nobody far and wide. Nowadays, bus tours come from Chania and a daily boat service brings visitors from Paleochora. The magic has gone, the rubbish has come (at least I believe that it gets taken away nowadays). It is still worth a visit but don't go when the wind is strong.
Other monuments
Mount Psiloritis (Idi)
Address: Mount Psiloritis, Crete, Greece, GR
One of the most imposing and impressive of all the landmarks on the island of Crete, Mount Psiloritis also goes by the name of Mount Idi and dominates the entire Amari province, towering almost 2,500 metres / 8,200 feet high. The Nida Plateau forms the eastern base of the mountain and is a huge expanse, encircled by a number of additional, smaller mountains. A paved roads leads to the plateau from Anogia and if you drive along this road, look out for the stone shepherd's huts, which are known locally in Greece as 'mitatas'. Of particular interest, Mount Psiloritis is home to the Ideon Cave, which legend says, is where the Greek god Zeus, king of all the gods, was actually reared.
Open: daily
Admission: free
Ancient City of Aptera
Address: West of Kalyves, Crete, Greece, GR
The remains of the ancient city of Aptera are well worth searching out and lie some 3 km / 2 miles directly to the west of Kalyves. These ruins are roughly spread around two large hills, next to the Souda Bay, and date as far back as the 7th century BC, almost 3,000 years. Once one of Crete's most important cities, Aptera was sadly completely destroyed during a major earthquake disaster in the 7th century AD, although was somewhat rebuilt during the 10th century. Today, Aptera is still being meticulously excavated and features some very well-preserved structures, including a Greek temple from the 2nd century BC, Roman cisterns and some gigantic fortified walls. Also here is the considerably younger landmark of a Turkish fortress, constructed in 1872.
Open: Tuesday to Sunday - 08:00 to 14:30
Admission: charge
Lebena Ruins
Address: Lendas, Crete, Greece, GR
Located on the very outskirts of the village of Lendas, the archaeological site of Lebena started life as a renowned health spa, using the onsite freshwater springs, which were known for the therapeutic qualities. Very little remain here of the original structures, although there are a couple of large stone columns which were once part of a 4th-century BC temple. There are also some intricately laid mosaic floors which are still clearly visible.
Open: daily
Admission: free
Koules Venetian Fortress (Rocca al Mare)
Address: Iraklio Harbour, Crete, Greece, GR
Built during the 16th century and still dominating the Old Harbour, Crete's Koules Venetian Fortress was known as the Rocca al Mare under the island's Venetian rule. For more than 20 years, this fortress helped to defend the island from Turkish attacks, before actually becoming a Turkish prison for rebelling Cretans. The facade is especially eye-catching and features a number of reliefs depicting the Lion of St. Mark. Step inside the Koules Venetian Fortress to discover more than 20 different restored rooms, a number of which are now used as art galleries.
Open: Tuesday to Sunday - 09:00 to 8:00
Admission: charge
Rethymno Fortress (Fortezza) / Acropolis
Address: Paleokastro Hill, Rethymno, Crete, Greece, GR
Tel: +30 28310 28101
The Rethymno Fortress is located within the lively town of Rethymno and was built during the 16th century. Also the sit of the town's ancient acropolis, the fortress boasts enormous walls, inside of which many different monuments and buildings once stood. All that now remains of these buildings are a church as a rather beautiful mosque. There is plenty to explore as you walk around the ruins, while for the best views, head to the ramparts. An Archaeological Museum is close by and near to the fortress entrance.
Open: charge
Admission: June to October, daily - 08:00 to 20:00
Moni Arkadiou (Monastery)
Address: Arkadi, Crete, Greece, GR
Tel: +30 28310 83138
The 16th-century monastery that is the Moni Arkadiou is to be found just over 22 km / 14 miles to the south-east of Rethymno town. A number of different landmarks are based here, of which the Venetian Baroque-style church is amongst the most impressive, with no less than eight Corinthian columns and a rather special bell tower. Also here is a former windmill, which contains a rather surprising collection of bones and skulls of Turkish soldiers, who attacked in 1866 and lot their lives after Cretans set lit to the monastery's gunpowder store.
Open: April to October, daily - 09:00 to 19:00
Admission: charge
Address: Mount Psiloritis, Crete, Greece, GR
One of the most imposing and impressive of all the landmarks on the island of Crete, Mount Psiloritis also goes by the name of Mount Idi and dominates the entire Amari province, towering almost 2,500 metres / 8,200 feet high. The Nida Plateau forms the eastern base of the mountain and is a huge expanse, encircled by a number of additional, smaller mountains. A paved roads leads to the plateau from Anogia and if you drive along this road, look out for the stone shepherd's huts, which are known locally in Greece as 'mitatas'. Of particular interest, Mount Psiloritis is home to the Ideon Cave, which legend says, is where the Greek god Zeus, king of all the gods, was actually reared.
Open: daily
Admission: free
Ancient City of ApteraAddress: West of Kalyves, Crete, Greece, GR
The remains of the ancient city of Aptera are well worth searching out and lie some 3 km / 2 miles directly to the west of Kalyves. These ruins are roughly spread around two large hills, next to the Souda Bay, and date as far back as the 7th century BC, almost 3,000 years. Once one of Crete's most important cities, Aptera was sadly completely destroyed during a major earthquake disaster in the 7th century AD, although was somewhat rebuilt during the 10th century. Today, Aptera is still being meticulously excavated and features some very well-preserved structures, including a Greek temple from the 2nd century BC, Roman cisterns and some gigantic fortified walls. Also here is the considerably younger landmark of a Turkish fortress, constructed in 1872.
Open: Tuesday to Sunday - 08:00 to 14:30
Admission: charge
Lebena Ruins
Address: Lendas, Crete, Greece, GR
Located on the very outskirts of the village of Lendas, the archaeological site of Lebena started life as a renowned health spa, using the onsite freshwater springs, which were known for the therapeutic qualities. Very little remain here of the original structures, although there are a couple of large stone columns which were once part of a 4th-century BC temple. There are also some intricately laid mosaic floors which are still clearly visible.
Open: daily
Admission: free
Koules Venetian Fortress (Rocca al Mare)Address: Iraklio Harbour, Crete, Greece, GR
Built during the 16th century and still dominating the Old Harbour, Crete's Koules Venetian Fortress was known as the Rocca al Mare under the island's Venetian rule. For more than 20 years, this fortress helped to defend the island from Turkish attacks, before actually becoming a Turkish prison for rebelling Cretans. The facade is especially eye-catching and features a number of reliefs depicting the Lion of St. Mark. Step inside the Koules Venetian Fortress to discover more than 20 different restored rooms, a number of which are now used as art galleries.
Open: Tuesday to Sunday - 09:00 to 8:00
Admission: charge
Rethymno Fortress (Fortezza) / AcropolisAddress: Paleokastro Hill, Rethymno, Crete, Greece, GR
Tel: +30 28310 28101
The Rethymno Fortress is located within the lively town of Rethymno and was built during the 16th century. Also the sit of the town's ancient acropolis, the fortress boasts enormous walls, inside of which many different monuments and buildings once stood. All that now remains of these buildings are a church as a rather beautiful mosque. There is plenty to explore as you walk around the ruins, while for the best views, head to the ramparts. An Archaeological Museum is close by and near to the fortress entrance.
Open: charge
Admission: June to October, daily - 08:00 to 20:00
Moni Arkadiou (Monastery)Address: Arkadi, Crete, Greece, GR
Tel: +30 28310 83138
The 16th-century monastery that is the Moni Arkadiou is to be found just over 22 km / 14 miles to the south-east of Rethymno town. A number of different landmarks are based here, of which the Venetian Baroque-style church is amongst the most impressive, with no less than eight Corinthian columns and a rather special bell tower. Also here is a former windmill, which contains a rather surprising collection of bones and skulls of Turkish soldiers, who attacked in 1866 and lot their lives after Cretans set lit to the monastery's gunpowder store.
Open: April to October, daily - 09:00 to 19:00
Admission: charge
Knossos
ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL MONUMENTS  The prefecture of Heraklion is well-known for the archaeological sites of Knossos and Phaestos. The ancient town of Knossos, 5 km from the capital, was the center of the Minoan civilization and includes the greatest Minoan palace of the period 2000 - 1400 BC. The ancient remains cover an area of 20,000 sq.m. and consist of the ancient town with the palace, the small palace, the bi-level royal mansion and the royal tomb. The palace was a huge complex of many chambers and corridors, with complicated design and structure, which was partially destroyed in 1700, rebuilt and then finally burned down in 1400 BC. The site also includes the «Stromatografiko» Museum (of stratigraphy), exhibiting a collection from Knossos findings.  In the ancient town of Phaestos, 60 km southwest of Heraklion, there is a similar palace, to the one of Knossos, only less complicated and presenting an easier tour for the visitor. The complex was built on a steep hill and it spreads at 8,400 sq.m. It was the religious and economic center in the Minoan Years. It includes the Minoan palace, the tomb and 3 km farther, in Agia Triada, the remains of a royal mansion and the Sarcophagus.The prefecture of Heraklion has many more archaeological sites, remains from the Minoan or post Minoan Periods, such as the ancient towns of Malia, Gortys and Tylissos. Other monuments presenting an historic importance are many venetian buildings in the capital, such as the Koules Fortress, Lodgia, the Morosini, Bebo and Priouli Fountains and the venetian walls that surround the town.  You can also visit many monasteries from the Byzantine Years, tokens of a superb architecture: Agios Georgios Gorgolainis in Asites, Kimissis Theotokou Palianis in Venerato, Brontissiou, Kardiotissas and Apanossifis in Agia Varvara.From the same period there are also many Christian churches, the Byzantine churches of the Ten Martyrs and Archangel Michael and the churches of Agia Triada, Agia Paraskevi and Asomatou in Epano Arhanes. If you love painting, don't forget to visit the house where El Greco was born, in Fodele. Finally, the town of Heraklion has many museums including the Archaeological, Historical and Ecclesiastic with various pieces from Cretan tradition and the Minoan remains. |
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