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Situated 39 Km south of Chania, at an altitude of 1,050m one can find the Omalos Plateau, surrounded by the peaks of Lefka Ori (The White Mountains). The Plateau has a 4 Km diameter and in its centre stands the village of Omalos. One can get to Omalos Plateau from several locations; these being from the villages of Laki, Agia Roumeli and Agia Irini. The plateau is roughly triangular in shape and each side is about an hour's walk.The Omalos Plateau is green except in midsummer and is covered by wild flowers in the spring. During the winter months, snow may cover Omalos and the road may be closed for several days. Omalos is also known for the cave of Tzanis which is the deepest in Greece (280 m. deep).The physical beauty of the area is as exhilarating as the mountain air and the plateau is a marvelous area for mountain hiking or walks. On the plateau there are tavernas and hotels, some of which are equipped for winter stays.

The Samaria Gorge is one of the longest gorges in Europe with totaling 18 kilometres in all. The width if the gorge varies from its widest point of 150m to 3m at its narrowest point. The gorge was naturally hewn into the landscape at a declining angle. Despite this, walking through it could take between 6 and 8 hours. Those wishing to make this walk are strongly advised to wear tough and conventional shoes and have a certain degree of physical strength and stamina. The entrance of the gorge begins at Xyloskalo, a Greek name, meaning ‘a wooden stairs’ leading down to a faster descent stage. The path then follows a riverbed along a beautiful forest with tall trees affording a simply magnificent view. In order to protect the rare flora, the Samaria Gorge has been proclaimed a national park. If you enjoy walking then a visit to the gorge is a breathtaking experience and one well worth planning for.

In the middle of the gorge, there is a deserted village called "Samaria". Here, a Byzantine church of the 14th century devoted to Sacred Mary of Egypt can be found. She gave her name to this area and the word "Samaria" is a translation of the Greek phrase "Osia Maria" (Sacred Mary). The church has some interesting wall paintings and it can be reached in the south part of the village from a path that begins at the helipad. One of the most beautiful parts of the route is the area known as "Sideroportes" (iron gates), where the two sides of the gorge close to a distance of only 3 meters which rise to a height of 600 meters. If you are looking for Iron Gates you will be disappointed because there are in fact none to be seen. On exiting the gorge there is the village of Agia Roumeli. Here one can either spend the night or take a boat to the villages of Loutro, Hora Sfakion, Sougia or Paleohora. On arriving at Hora Sfakion, Sougia and Paleohora you can take the bus back to Chania.

The Arkadi Monastery lies 22 Km southwest from the city of Rethymnon and can be easily reached from a road south of the Rethymnon – Heraklion highway at 6 Km via Adele, Kirriana. The way is well signposted. The Arkadi Monastery stands as a universal symbol of the struggle for independence. In times gone by it was difficult to reach and as such Arkadi became an important centre for the local revolutionary activists during the Turkish occupation. Of the surviving buildings, the church is the most impressive. There was an earlier church of the second Byzantine period or early Venetian period there, and parts of that one are preserved on the northwest side of the surrounding wall. The earlier church of Agios Konstantinos was replaced in the sixteenth century by a new one, Agia Konstantinos and Eleni (the north aisle) and Metamorphosis Sotiros (the south aisle). The facade of the new church is an unusual mixture of extravagant and ornate styles. It is amongst one the finest remaining Venetian structures on Crete. There is a small museum that has artifacts from the famous battle, church articles, and an absorbing picture gallery of the Cretans of that time. The Arkadi Monastery celebrates the second week of November each year. If you enjoy historical visits then this is a place steeped in history, architecture and tradition.

Chania is the capital city of the prefecture of Chania. This beautiful city on the north shore of Crete is about 1 hour (59 Km) from Rethymnon and 2.5 hours (137 Km) from Heraklion on the National Road. Chania is an ideal alternative to Heraklion for accessing and exploring the island. The city is not as busy as Heraklion and has direct access to the other major cities via the highway on the north side of the island. The modern city of Chania stands on the site of ancient "Kydonia". According to legend, King Minos' grandson, Kydon, founded the city. Sadly no spectacular Minoan palaces, such as the Knossos remain. Excavations in the Kastelli area of the city have uncovered Neolithic pottery, signs of Bronze Age settlements and Minoan tombs. Kydonia was an important city-state in the Late Minoan and Post Minoan Period and dominated the western region of the island. Kydonia prospered during the Classical Greek and Roman periods. This prosperity continued into the Byzantine period but as the empire suffered so did its outposts. The area of Kastelli is the hill to the northeast of Platia Sindrivaniou. Substantial remains of a Minoan city, which some archaeologists believe was the ancient city of Kydonia, were found here. The Venetians fortified the Kastelli and it was the centre of their city. The cathedral was here, as well as many palazzos - noblemen's houses. The Venetians rebuilt existing walls (using many Greco-Roman remains). This is a beautiful city with many tourist attractions, local traditions and culture. A day would be well spent seeing some of the sights it has to offer, enjoy the local and specialised cuisine along with the famous hospitality of the local people. Shops are in abundance and many bargains can be found within the renowned Chania market place and surrounding precincts.

Heraklion is the capital of Crete and also of the prefecture of Heraklion. Heraklion is a very busy city, especially during the tourist season, so it is advisable to book reservations for accommodation before arrival, especially during August. If you are traveling by car to visit the city, there are parking lots near the end of Kalokairinou Street at the Chanioporta below the Archaeological Museum, one of the many uses of a medieval moat. Make use of them and take the opportunity to see the historical monuments. Heraklion is easily reached from the National Road and is well signposted. You can drive from here to Agios Nikolaos in about 1 hr (72 Km) and Chania in 2.5 hours (137 Km). This road is enjoyable and the scenery is spectacular. New drivers to the country should always drive with caution on all roads in Crete. Heraklion is the fifth largest city in Greece and there has been a settlement here since Neolithic times. Although few remains have been found in the city proper, it was probably a port for the palace of Knossos during the Minoan and Roman eras of this country. Consequently this city contains a wealth of cultural information and tradition. Chania was originally the capital of Crete but in 1971 the administrative centre of the island was transferred to Heraklion. This is a thriving city bustling with life and the day shopper can find many bargains in stores throughout the city. There are literally hundreds of sights to see and they could not be covered in day. Plan your trip ahead and talk to the locals who will be more than happy to advise you.

Rethymnon is reached by the National Road from Chania in about an hour, and from Heraklion in about 90 minutes. Rethymnon has retained more evidence of the Venetian and Turkish eras than the other cities of Crete. The buildings that remain are not as important as the Loggia of Heraklion or the church of San Francesco in Chania, but the past reveals itself in the streets of the Old Town, with their decorative doorways and ornate fountains. Rethymnon has also preserved its Turkish mosques: five out of the original eight remain and an effort is being made to restore them for various uses. Rethymnon has taken advantage of its charming setting and the Venetian harbour in the Old Town and the area beneath the walls of the Fortezza are filled with tavernas and small hotels. Rethymnon is at the halfway point along the north coast of the island and as such one can spend the day looking around some of the truly wonderful sights within the town or down by the harbour front. If you get tired of walking around the shops and sites then the beaches of Rethymnon are second to none. All in all a trip to Rethymnon would add up to a day of your holiday well spent. Cafenions and Tavernas are easily found and provide an excellent opportunity to relax and sample the local cuisine.

The Beaches of Crete are amongst some of the most beautiful Beaches and scenery in the Mediterranean if not the world. Generally the waters on the North coast of Crete are slightly warmer than those on the South coast. Whilst the north coast is warmer it is not as crystal clear and blue as the waters of the south coast. The south coast (Libyan sea) is cooler than the north due to the fact that the mountains drop steeply into the sea on this side of the island and there are a number of (cold) underground rivers. The south coast is favoured by people wishing to deep sea dive as visibility is better. Crete has approximately 155km of sandy beaches along its coastline.

One of the longest stretches of sandy beach is at Georgioupolis in the north. It is an expanse of delightful sandy beaches and has a fairly gradual entry into the water. It is also a refuge for many forms of wildlife. Georgioupolis is the beginning of a 10 kilometre stretch of beach that runs beside the highway from Chania to Rethymnon. The prefecture of Chania contains two outstanding beaches in the west side, Elafonissi the southwest and Falassarna in the northwest. Elafonissi beach could be classed as one of the most beautiful beaches in Crete with its pinkish coloured sand and very shallow warm water. It is connected to the beach with a shallow reef (max. depth 1 meter) that allows crossing when the sea is calm If you are lucky to be there at sunset, make sure you have your camera ready to capture the breathtaking setting. In Eastern Crete you will find a beautiful beach called Vai beach. Not only is it one of the nicest beaches in Greece, but Vai also boasts the only natural palm tree forest in Europe where you can relax and take in the view in one of the many places for coffee and food. As a unique tropical landscape, Vai receives a large number of visitors who come to see this rare beauty and enjoy its marvelous sea. The main entrance to the beach is open from sunrise to sunset. The water is clear and beautiful and it is a breathtaking romantic setting.

On the south coast you will find one of the most beautiful pebble beaches in Crete. This is Sougia beach. although it is a pebble beach, it is one of the best beaches on Crete for several reasons: being 1200 m long and located by a small village it is never crowded, there are no beach umbrellas (but the inhabitants of Sougia have thoughtfully provided a few showers), nudism is tolerated on a large part of the beach, the sea and the beach are very clean, the surrounding landscape is beautiful, the pebbles are fine so not at all uncomfortable to lie on. Also on the south coast you will find the pleasant beaches of Frangokastello, Makrigialos, Kato, Zakros, Preveli, Agia Pelagia and Istro. All of these beeches have their own unique qualities and all offer the atmosphere to soak up the sun and warmth, enjoy the scenery and clear waters of the Libyan Sea.

Malia & Herssonissos are both large villages within 2 kilometres of each other that are situated some 34 Kilometres east of Heraklion. Together they can be considered as being a major tourist resorts on the north Crete coast. They are easily accessed from the national highway running from Chania to Agios Nikolaos. Malia and Herssonissos have much to offer for all who choose to visit. The beaches in the area are sandy, the sea is wonderfully warm there are shops, restaurants and Cafenions galore. There are a variety of water sports and fun rides available for young and old alike.

Between the two villages there is the fantastic Aqua Splash Water Park just outside Stalis, it is visited by tourists from all over Crete who come to spend the day there. Herssonisos provides the night time entertainment for the more active tourists and has a terrific variety of pubs, restaurants, wine bars and night clubs which go on almost all night throughout the holiday season. I have been through Malia and Herssonnisos at all times of the night and have always noted how alive the area is. If you get the chance to visit this area you will not be disappointed no matter what your requirements are, there is something here for everybody. Restaurant owners play live music and customers dance to the songs in the streets, you will also be given the opportunity to join in with the renown Greek plate smashing and Tsikouthia toast tradition.

Lassithi Plateau can easily be reached from the main national highway east of Heraklion shortly before reaching Herssonissos, it is clearly sign posted. You will reach the Lassithi Plateau after a scenic drive through ever-changing landscape that takes you from sea level up to a height of about 850 meters. Until a few years ago, about 12.000 or so windmills slowly turned their blades as part of a sophisticated irrigation system of the plains. Nowadays however only a portion of these are still functional since more and more landowners began to replace them with motor pumps. The plateau is surrounded by numerous mountain tops this includes the highest one in Crete. This is part of the Psiloreitis Mountain range with the highest peak being 2,456 meters above sea level.

When you enter the high plains of the plateau which is 10 km long and 5 km wide, you get a sense of being in the heart of Crete as this wonderful sight stretches out around you. As you drive around the plateau you will see many of the local folk displaying the traditional crafts that are hand made locally. There are some beautiful articles of pottery to be seen and purchased along with other wonderfully made hand carved olive wood figures and ornaments. If you want to buy typical souvenirs from Crete here is the place to do so as prices are by far the best anywhere on the Island. The people are exceptionally warm and friendly and will cheerfully wave and smile at you as you drive through the numerous small villages surrounding this beautiful part of Crete.