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Exploring Crete by Spyros |
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By being the largest island of Greece, Crete has much more to offer than a few days on one beach.
The island is actually so big, that it would take months to explore it in full - and really enjoy each place when you visit it.
One of the things I like most is the constant change of scenery while traveling from one place to another.
The feeling you get at the end of the day after you drive through gorges and mountains covered in woods just to reach one of the marvelous beaches is like no other - especially when at the end of the long day you get one of the true cretan dishes for dinner so many places have to offer.
If you make up your mind and choose to go to Crete, there are a few places in Chania that no one should neglect to visit.
The city of Chania is one of the most beautiful itself, along with Rethymno. The eastern and south-eastern parts of Crete, belonging to the prefecture of Chania, are, in my opinion, for sure the most impressive ones. Here are a few tips:
The beaches of Falasarna and Balos will for sure please you. Although the beach of falasarna is easy to approach, this is not the case with the beach of Balos. There you get 2 choices: a) you take the ship that goes there once a day or b) you choose to go by car driving a few kilometers on a rough dirt-road (I strongly recommend a Jeep!), and then walking for another 30-40 minutes downhill. The second choice is a bit rough, but you will be rewarded with a stunning wiew of one of the most impressive beaches I have seen so far.
This view you will not get if you go by ship!
The beach of falasarna is also suitable for camping.
You might also choose to go to Elafonisos - another beautiful place, but unfortunately heavily over-crowded during high season. It is still worth visiting in the late afternoon or very early in the morning though.
Now, if you really have guts, try walking through the Samaria Gorge - the longest gorge of Europe.
With a length of about 18Km, it will take you roughly 7-8 hours before you reach the end. The route is rough (climbing shoes are highly recommended) but it is worth it.
The combination of the sound of the Kri-Kri fighting on the slopes, the majestic view looking upwards the slopes - mostly covered with trees, and the streamlet tossing through the gorge is just about unique!
If you choose to pass it, you will have to contact a tour operator, as you will have to be taken to the entrance of the gorge by bus. When you reach the end of the gorge, the only way back is either by walking the gorge up again (which I do not think you will be able to do - you will not be allowed to anyway), or by ship, which will take you to Sfakia, where the bus will be waiting for you to take you back home or to your hotel.
If you are hungry after a tiring day on the road, and you are in the area of chania, try the traditionally restored village of Milia, where you can also stay for as long as you want in one of the restored village-houses which are for rent. You should know however that there is no electricity! Even the hot water comes from wood-fire heated boilers. During the night you will be given candles and oil-lamps. All rooms are equipped with fireplaces for the winter. Everything you get to eat there is home made and home produced (the food is truly delicious!).
There are so many things to do and places to visit, and the above is just a minor fraction! So, the next time you choose to visit Crete, dont just lay on one beach. Get your self a decent guide and start exploring the island. I guarantee you will not be disappointed!
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