WEST CRETE
Chania - Rethymnon - Kournas Lake
West Crete
Our first stop will be a visit to Chania, Crete’s second largest city into the old town within the venetian city walls which is an attractive maze of narrow streets, old mansions and arcades, with mosques and minarets bearing witness to the turkish influence and the carefully laid out new town which is considered to be one of the most beautiful towns in Greece. This ‘little Venice of Crete’ stall has a wealth of italian architecture. Get in touch with the Orient as you browse through the cross-shaped indoor market which is the ideal spot to find some unusual presents and souvenirs. ‘Leather street’ is a great place to look for those leather bargains: bags, belts or made to measure shoes.
The lake of Kournas lies in a valley, in a beautiful area between the hills and the surrounding mountains and is reminiscent of a lake in the Alps. Here you can enjoy your lunch, walk around the lake and see the colour of the water changes according to the time of the day, you can watch and feed the ducks, you can have a refreshing swim in the shallow water.
Our last stop will be a short visit to Rethymnon. Shop for antiques and knick-knacks in the narrow street of the old town, to graze up at the turkish minarets and to stroll along the Venetian port down to the fortress and along the golden sandy beach stretching into the distance. You’ll never believe one island could have such contrasting sights and colors.
- Guide (GB-DE-FR-RU-CZ-HU-IT)
- Small villages
- El Greco painter
- Second largest city on Crete
- Former capital
- Venetian city walls
- Little venice of Greece
- Zorba the Greek