The pretty town of Rethymnon is centred around a quaint fishing harbour and is the perfect location for a relaxing sun or sightseeing holiday.
Flights: UK - Heraklion - UK
Accommodation as per hotel details
Meals as per hotel details
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Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and has a charm of its own, enhanced by sweeping sand beaches, crystal clear waters and incredible scenery. This Aegean jewel has all the ingredients for a wonderful holiday.
RETHYMNON
The beautiful resort of Rethymnon curves around a picturebook, Venetian-style harbour on Crete's northern coast and offers an excellent golden-sand beach which stretches for miles along the coast from the centre of the town. In the heart of the resort, the charming Old Town is an atmospheric honeycomb of narrow, shop-filled streets, dotted with cafés, ornate fountains, romantic architecture, flower-laden balconies and little mosques and museums. Along the waterfront, the palm-fringed harbour-side promenade is packed with traditional tavernas, open-air restaurants and bars, all overlooked by a grandiose 16th century Venetian fortress.
Transfer time from Heraklion to Rethymnon: 1hr 30 mins approximately.
Rethymnon and around
Dominated by a pretty, 16th century Venetian Fortress, Rethymnon brims with cultural delights from both its Venetian and Ottoman eras. Stroll around the Old Town to admire its fortress, Renaissance Loggia monument, ornate Rimondi fountain and five delicate Ottoman Mosques. The surrounding countryside is laden with blissful natural scenery, stunning mountain panoramas, scented olive groves, golden beaches and plenty of natural, archaeological and historical sites. Daytrips can include visits to the ancient archaeological sites at Elefthema or Lappa, the Minoan civilisation sites at Apodoulou or Amari, the forested Minoan necropolis at Armeni - whose treasures are now stored in the Archaeological Museum of Rethymnon, the Arkadi or Arasaniou Monasteries, or the Melidoni caves in Perama, dedicated to the bronze god Talos.
Knossos
A must-see for anyone who visits Crete. This incredible Minoan archaeological site lies in the north of the island near Heraklion and is said to be the palace of the legendary King Minos, who lived 4,000 years ago. Discovered by archaeologists in 1878, the ruins include remnants of the main Royal Palace, with its labyrinthine rooms and corridors, where the Minotaur of Greek Legend, a man-eating monster that was half bull, half man, was reputed to have been imprisoned. Here you can see the original six-foot tall storage jars used in the palace, as well as fascinating ancient chambers, courtyards and stairways lined with copies of frescoes that once adorned the palace walls.
Samaria Gorge
One of Europe's most spectacular National Parks. Located near Chania, this amazing 18 kilometre canyon is open for walkers between May and October. First, you take a zigzagging path down to the gorge floor amid scented cypress forests and then follow the stream along the bottom enjoying dizzying views of the canyon and sky above. The highlight of the excursion is when the gorge passage narrows to around 10 feet, with the soaring, steep canyon walls bearing down on you from both sides. It's an arduous but exhilarating walk - most trips start at dawn to combat the heat - and there's no turning back, so ensure you're well kitted out with strong shoes and bottled water.
Fragokastelo & Western Crete
The western end of Crete is wonderfully scenic and unspoilt, with towering mountains, craggy cliffs, remote sandy coves and arid plains ablaze with wildlife and flowers. A main attraction here is the stunning, honey-coloured Venetian castle of Fragokastelo, a huge 14th century fortress overlooking the Libyan Sea. Now an empty shell, the castle still makes a dramatic sight and is said to be haunted by the ghosts of 600 Cretans killed here by the Turks in 1828. The sleepy hamlet of Fragokastelo, set around the castle's crumbling ramparts, has a beautiful beach with calm, shallow waters and nearby are the picturesque villages of Hora Sfakion, Plakias and Agia Galini with their inviting tavernas and shops.
Chania Area
Set on Crete's western coast, the resorts around tranquil Chania enjoy stunning scenery and beautiful sandy beaches. Aghia Marina lies just a few kilometres from Chania and boasts a golden sandy beach with plentiful watersports and eateries, while Platanias has beautiful sands and a livelier atmosphere. Most peaceful is Maleme, with its cluster of tavernas and shops bordering a lovely pebble beach. Buses link all three with nearby Chania, one of Crete's oldest and most fascinating harbour towns, with its picturesque port, a variety of historical sites to discover and some wonderful Venetian architecture.
Nightlife
There are plenty of bars, resturants and tavernas along the harbourfront and some lively nightclubs open during the evenings. Many of Crete's coastal towns offer a good selection of bars and nightlife to suit a wide range of tastes. For a more lively evening, you may wish to visit Malia, Stalis or Hersonissos, which offer a good selection of bars and clubs. Alternatively, Aghios Nikolaos has a more sophisticated nightlife and is home to trendy bars and a casino.
The old town of Rethymnon is known for its silver and locally produced handmade lace whilst Aghios Nikolaos is renowned for its wealth of jewellers and there are many quality jewellery shops along the promenade to tempt you. In addition to jewellery, Chania is home to the famous Leather Lane where you can pick up some great leather buys.
Along with many of the Greek Islands, the best way to appreciate the great variety of Greek specialities is by ordering a meze which will consist of small plates of dips as well as local fish and meat dishes. Tavernas and restaurants offer a wide selection of local and international cuisine for you to enjoy.
Crete offers a wide selection of beaches from sheltered sandy coves to livelier resort beaches, where a variety of watersports are available.
Language: Greek.
Currency: Euro.
Time Difference: + 2 hours (GMT).
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