Third Crete Regional Meeting in String
Theory Kolymbari 2005 |
Samaria gorge: This
is a very nice whole day hike in the Samaria Gorge.
You have to take the bus from Chania to Omalos (the entrance of the
Gorge).
You should be there at 8:00 at the latest.
The gorge takes 6-8 hours to cross (leasurely). You end up at the Village of
Aghia Roumeli where you have to take the boat (last one around 16:00, check
it out) to Sfakia, and then the bus to Chania. Its really a full day trip but
worth the trouble.
Palaiochora: An interesting area in the south west, not one of the first priorities though.
Loutro: A nice little village by the sea in the south coast between Aghia Roumeli and Sfakia. Accessible only by boat or walking (difficult path).
Falassarna: The closest super-beach to Kolymbari, 30 minutes drive to the west. Site of an ancient Dorian city. The little restaurant of Capetan Nikolas in the Falassarna port, is a must!
"Tigani" or "Balos" is one of the two best beaches
in Crete (the other is Elafonissos).
It is at the bottom of the Gramvoussa peninsula, the western of Cretan peninsulas. From the village of Kaliviani
7 Kms of dirt road plus two Kms of a path bring you to this beach.
Also reachable by boat day trips from Kastelli and Chania.
Chryssoskalitissa - Elafonisos:
Chisoskalitisa is a nice little monastery, worth a stop on the way to Elafonissos,
one of the two best beaches in Crete.
Its specialty is the rose hue of its sand.
Chania: The main city
of the west, that has restored nicely the old town and port. It is around 30
Kms east of Kolymbari.
Certainly the best city in Crete , it merits a visit.
Rethymnon: A little city west of Chania and East of Heraklion is the second nicest city in Crete, with a nice old city and a small Venitian port.
Monasteries of Gouvernetou and Aghia
Triada: Two nice old monsteries in the Souda
peninsula, meriting a visit. From the Goubernetou
Monastery, there is a path that leads to the sea,
making a nice two hour hike (one way). Aghia Triada
produces top quality olive oil.
A brief history of Crete written by S. Koutsoupakis
The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion
The historical Museum of Heraklion.
Archaeological and historical sites in the area from the Ministry of Culture. Here is the central ministry of culture page where information on archaeological and historical sites in all of Greece can be found.
Some explanatory remarks as well as a list of some local restaurants with some comments. Check it out.
The Hellenic Resources Institute has a list of interesting sites with various kinds of tourist and local information. Check it out.
A list of all hotels in Greece
A general map of Crete which leads
to detailed local maps to all Cretan regions.
More maps of Crete and detailed areas.
For a detailed and reliable weather prediction over the next two days look at the Greek Poseidon site.