CRETE - CHANIA

The delightful old Venetian town, once the capital of Crete lies on the north west coast of this fascinating island. It is a town that conjures up both traditional and modern images reflected in its endless range of shops and restaurants. It is an interesting town and you will never tire of wandering the back streets of the older part. Venetian architecture is in evidence everywhere and the tall narrow houses with colourful wood blinds have been homes to the same families for decades. Your cameras will never stop rolling.

Some streets are so narrow that the leaning facades of the old houses are no more than an arms length from each other. Women sitting in the front doorways with their embroidery and men in endless conversation with their friends over a coffee are common sights and the peace is broken only by the occasional dog barking or children playing. The main streets on the periphery of the older part are, however, very different. They are lined with modern shops selling attractively packaged local produce for easy conveyance and a range of international products making it a focal area for shopping for the whole of western Crete. The picturesque harbour has developed as a meeting point for both locals and tourists alike and, without doubt it is an idyllic spot to sit and watch with fascination, the changing shades of orange as the sun slips over the horizon. Harbourside restaurants offer a variety of food from traditional Greek including fish and sea food to international cuisine. Although Chania has a lively atmosphere with a reasonable nightlife, it never feels hectic and it is still very much a traditional town.

The nearest beach is only a ten minute walk from the harbour and further west you will find miles of sandy beaches. For a perfect retreat however, many Cretans favour the northern peninsular of Akrotiri, only a fifteen minute drive from the town. The vast area gets covered in a mass of flowers during the springtime and the mainly rocky coastline is frequently broken by magnificent sandy beaches such as at Kalathas and Stavros. In our view, a perfect holiday spot if you want peace and good beaches, and be within easy reach of the town.

First time visitor or not, the fascination of exploring the narrow back streets of this beautiful old town lined with fine examples of exquisite Venetian architecture is irresistible. This ancient town is graced with charm and elegance and it also has a thriving commercial centre with its range of shops selling everything from textiles, jewellery, ceramics to herbs and olive oil, and of course what Crete has always been famous for, leather goods. The appeal and the variety in the town is in itself, of enough interest to provide an enjoyable holiday, but based here opens a range of further possibilities. Excursions such as a visit to Knossos, a walk down Samaria Gorge, and a boat trip to Elafonissi in the south are just a few of the many options available. For the independently minded, book a car for a few days and explore the fertile mountain ranges and hidden remote villages to experience Cretan life of bygone days.