Our villas are situated in Kokkino Chorio and Drapanos, but there is much more to see on the island if you want to! Below is information on some of the local places of interest.
Kokkino Chorio
Just a few minutes drive up the hill from Plaka, Kokkino Chorio is famous for it's part in the filming of Zorba The Greek; nearly all the village participated. Anthony Quinn
is still talked about in the village kafenions!! There's a fine taverna in the old village school where they sometimes stage Greek music nights for the local population. The village boasts some of
the most stunning views out to sea and is home to an excellent glass blowing factory.
Drapanos
The sleepy village of Drapanos is further inland and higher up from Kokkino Chorio, high in the mountains with fabulous views overlooking Souda Bay. Although the village is
expanding it will always remain a choice location for peace and quiet. There is a quaint local church and a traditional Greek taverna. The village now boasts a small shop stocking basic groceries and
eggs straight from the owner's hens. The village is about 7-8 minutes drive to Plaka where there are numerous facilities including a well stocked mini-market and more tavernas. Another couple of
minutes drive will bring you to the lovely seaside resort of Almirida with its many tavernas and shops.
Chania
The cosmopolitan town of Chania has been voted the most beautiful on Crete and rightly so, with the White Mountains as a backdrop, its Venetian harbour, museums, fascinating
indoor market and an old quarter of narrow streets packed with interesting shops, Chania offers something for most visitors.
It is a vibrant lively town steeped in Byzantine, Venetian and Turkish history. The harbour area is a great place to sit and watch the world go by or you may like to try the park on Tzanakaki Street
where there is a popular cafe tucked away in the trees.
Chania is easily accessible from all of our properties either by bus, taxi or car.
East of Chania - The Apokoronas Area
The White Mountains dominate this area of
sandy beaches and traditional villages. The area is becoming more developed and tourist facilities more sophisticated whilst retaining it's Greek atmosphere. Most of our properties are situated
slightly inland with the beach and sea close at hand.
The large bay that makes up the seaside
resorts of Almirida, Kalives and Kalami has many separate sandy beaches, usually with full facilities. All of these beaches are safe for children because they shelve very gently into the sea. There
are plenty of good quality, reasonably priced tavernas at or near the beaches. Kalives is a working village as well as being a tourist destination so you will find many local shops as well as a
fairly big Inka supermarket. Banking, post office and petrol station facilities are available in Kalives and in Vamos.
The family friendly seaside resort of
Almirida, where there is a windsurfing school, is the nearest beach resort to all of our properties in the Apokoronas area with tavernas and bars lining the sea front. There are a couple of
mini-markets, a bakery, patisserie, a wine shop, a newsagents, an internet café and the Flisvos car hire rental office with whom we can arrange car hire at very reasonable rates. There is a taxi rank
based here in Almirida and mountain bikes can be hired.
The historical village of Gavalochori is
situated just a few kms inland from the village of Almirida and was named after the Byzantine family Gavalodon who lived there about 1200AD. The village has many old buildings which are being
lovingly restored and make this village much sought after both for permanent residence and for holidays. In the centre of the village is a shop exhibiting traditional arts and crafts of the local
women. There is also a folklore museum. Cafenion and tavernas edge the village square inviting you to sit and to pass the time away.
Vamos is a perfect choice for holiday
visitors who prefer to be away from the main tourist areas but also close to excellent facilities. It is a working village where life goes on Greek pace all year around. Well situated at the centre
of the Apokoronas peninsula giving easy access to all the surrounding villages, the beaches at Almirida, Kalives and Georgeopoulis and the motorway to Chania and Rethymno. Vamos can boast a Health
Clinic with 24 hour medical care, a bank with ATM, a Post Office, 2 Bakeries, 2 small well stocked supermarkets, a Pharmacy, a Greek cheese/Deli shop, several kafenions (complete with comfy chairs !)
a kiosk for cigarettes, sweets etc., two hairdressers and a barber and last but not least, two excellent tavernas serving delicious Greek food with a modern twist that are open all year round. There
is an increasing awareness of the conservation status of this area and many old houses are being restored to their former glory; part of this activity includes an Art Café from which you can enjoy
wonderful views of the area and an Organic shop selling local produce.
Just to the west of Chania is the main
tourist area of the western part of the island with well known resorts such as Agia Marina, Platanias and Gerani. Continuing our policy of offering properties slightly off the beaten track, our
accommodation on this side of Chania is once again either inland but close to the sea or within walking distance of the sea at the up and coming resort of Kolimbari.
Pano Stalos is situated in dramatic
rolling hills on the outskirts of Chania with panoramic views stretching from the White Mountains over the coast to the Akrotiri Peninsula. The village has a tiny local population but boasts three
excellent tavernas. On the coast there is a great choice of beaches, tavernas, shops and entertainment. The Venetian harbour town of Chania is easily accessible.
Xirokambi
An area rather than a village, inland
between Platanias and Maleme but within a few minutes drive of the road linking these seaside resorts.
25 kms west of Chania. For years this was
a sleepy fishing village but with European investment in the area, it is now an up and coming holiday spot with a new marina and popular tavernas serving excellent fresh fish and traditional Cretan
cooking. One or two sophisticated cafes, bars and shops are opening. The 16 th century Monastery of Gonias is a must for those visitors seeking out the historical.
Famous for it's honey, it is wild and
unspoiled and mostly uninhabited. It is good for trekking and birdwatching. Most of the villages lie at it's base not far from Kolimbari. Kolimbari is 25kms west of Chania on the old national road.
You will find all amenities here including good tavernas for local cuisine, a supermarket, a bank, petrol station and shops. Astratigos where our accommodation is situated is about 5 kms from
Kolimbari and a couple from Afrata and it's delightful little cove where there is a simple cantina on the beach.
Astratigos is a quiet traditional village
lying 900m above sea level. Whilst many people visit and would love to stay to enjoy the peace and tranquillity it is only the lucky few who manage to do that. Tourist accommodation here is a rarity,
there are no tavernas, no kafenions and no shops, in fact nothing to disturb the natural peace and harmony of this idyll. The nearest tavernas and shops of any variety are at Kolimbari although there
are four tavernas at Afrata, a 15 minute walk away. Taverna Roxannis at Afrata is renowned in the area as this is where Mr. Mitsotakis, when he was the Greek Prime Minister, entertained President
Mitterand of France. In addition to that, home cooked food can be ordered and delivered to your villa and there is a bar-b-q in the grounds. All in all, a delightful area to explore, both for the
more serious walker, those only looking for a stroll and those looking for quiet beaches.
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