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.
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