Heraklion City - car hire in matala Located almost in the center of Crete, Heraklion has since the early years played a significant part in the history of the island. It has worn different names during the years: Heraklion, Hanclakas, Candi and Heraklion again, officially in 1922. The city of today is modern and large commercial, industrialand agrarian, provincial center. As the largest communication center of Crete it is connected with our country's largest cities and with several foreign cities.
Heraklion's long-lasting history has contributed to the existence of a significant cultural and intellectual movement. Yet the part of the city surrounded by the famous Venetian walls has preserved many picturesque spots and monuments, standing as reliable witnesses of its history, Once you had to pass through the gates of the wall if you wished to enter the city.
Knossos Palace - car hire in matala One hundrent years ago King Minos and Knossos were justnames in the myths and legends of the ancient Greeks.
Then in 1900 AD Arthur Evans began to dig on a hill called "Kefala" just behind Heraklio and discovered the lost civilization of the Minoas.
The Palace of Knossos stands today a tribute to the vision of this pioneering archaeologist ready to amaze the visitor.
The brilliance of Minoas, however can best be appreciated by a tour of the Archaeological Museum of Heraklio where the finds from all the major Minoan sites are collected. Our expert guide will lead you through this labyrinth and thread the way with stories and explanations that bring these clever and graceful people to life. You also have ample time to explore the bustling town of Heraklio, the capital of Crete, with its Venetian fortifications, narrow, winding back streets and lively market.
Phestos - car hire in matala In the middle of the fertile Messara plain stand the remains of the Minoan palace of Phestos. Homer refers to Phestos as a heavily inhabited city. It is said to have been established either by Minos (according to Diodoros Sikeliotis) or by Phestos, son of Herclules (according to Pafsanias and Stefanos Vyzantios).
It was built into a terraced hill on a low ridge around a central courtyard, as was the palace of Knossos. All that remains of this palace are parts of the west and north wings. The other two wings were destroyed by an earthquake in 1450 BC.
Of particular interest is the magnificent flight of stairs leading down from the old palace (13.75m wide and 20m long). From its eight steps the guests could watch the ritualistic ceremonies and various performances held in the west court, almost like a theatre. As in Knossos you can see the remains of a storeroom, basins of ritual washing and the living quarters of the ruling family.
Life in Phestos continued even after the earthquake and the destruction of the palace. It was occupried by the Dorians at around 1100 BC and the town was evecuated at 150 BC, when it was attacked by its neighboring town of Gortyna.
Kalamaki - car hire in matala Kalamaki community is fairly new, constantly developing, built on a beach of exceptional natural beauty and character.
The fauna of the area is unique, with cedar trees centuries old, lilies of the sea, aromatic herbs, etc.
Kalamaki is located 2.5 km from the beautiful village of Kamilari and it is characterized as an archaeological site. It is one of the three villages that constitute the community of Kamilari.
The beach in Kalamaki is wonderful and extended, over 3 kms long and covered with fine golden sand. The Caretta-Caretta tortoises lay their eggs on the beach, among the sand-dunes of Kalamaki, and there is an information kiosk in the community.
The view from the beach is also magnificent. To the right of Kalamaki one can see the resort town of Agia Galini and , at a distance on the horizon Paximadia, the two small islands of the Messara gulf.
The area of Kalamaki has been inhabited during the Minoan, Hellenistic and Roman period. South of Kalamaki is the archaeological site of Kommos, port of ancient Phaistos.
Outside the community is placed the church "Palies eklisies", built on the 18th century probably on the ruins of a Roman temple. South of the "palies eklisies" church there is an excavated building probably of the Hellenistic period.
Kalamaki was built during the 80, while the first houses were built during the 60. The community is developing into a modern, tourist seaside resort, with restaurants, bars, hotels and rooms to rent.
Matala - car hire in matala The turquoise blue sea, and the red disk of the sun which sets in the evening create a hue of colors that evoke novel emotions.
On the sandy beach is written by a fisherman: "Today is life, tomorrow never comes!"
Matala was once the place of the flower-power and the hippy-scene. Yeah, those were the days!
The Matala from now is a busy tourist place with a lot of hotels, apartments, rooms, taverns and shops. Before 1970, the time that the flower-children and the hippies overrunned this small village, Matala only existed of 10 houses, one tavern, a beautiful beach and of course the ancient cave houses of which Matala thanks her fame.
The cave houses, cut by the Cretan people from the early Stone Age, with their passages, stone beds and fireplaces, are now put under monumental care. They are really worth visiting.
Messara - car hire in matala This fertile valley, running east-west along the south coast of Crete, is where you will find several original towns and villages, as well as various archaeological sites and other interesting places. This fertile plain was, naturally, not ignored by early settlers, such as the Minoans and early Greeks, as well as the Romans, who settled at Agia Triada, Festos, Kommos and several other places.
Plastic farming has been taken over by greenhouses. Industrialised agriculture is the way to the future, which demands ever more production at every time of the year.
Measuring 50km in length and 7km in width, this plain is in the prefecture of Iraklion.
From the city Iraklion it is 45 minutes by car driving through a fantastic mountain landscape until you reach the valley of Messara. The Messara is a very fertile valley, surrounded by mountains and sea. It is a place where you can find peace and quietness.
It is also the granary of the island. There people of Crete cultivate olive trees, tomatos, cucumbers, artichokes, kiwis and avocados. Other important export products are grapes, wine and oranges.
Zaros - car hire in matala Zaros is a picturesque village located at the southern slope of the mountain IDI (Psiloritis) at 340m a.s.l, 45 km from Iraklion.
It has 2,241 permanent residents.
The main occupation of the inhabitants is farming and stock breeding, while there are quite a few traditional workshops of weaving, painting (icons), and musical instruments.
The name Zaros is considered to be prehellenic, and means the abundant water flow. It is clearly indicative of an age old history which is further verified by the Minoan findings in the Kourtes area, as well as the remnants of the Roman aqua ducts from which ancient Gortina got its water supply.
The visitor to Zaros has the opportunity to admire the wonderful mountainous landscape, the numerous monasteries and churches of the area, the traditional architectural style of the old houses, the small lake of Votomos, and experience the day to day life of local people.
Zaros is also the ideal place for those who love trekking, hiking and climbing, as the European Climbing route E4 crosses the village.
The traditional neighbourhoods the worksops, the houses of the village, and the traditional productive activities.
Kaliviani Monastery - car hire in matala The monastery of Panagia Kaliviani is located at the 59th km on the road Iraklion-Phaistos. The monastery was built during the second Byzantine period. The small Byzantine chapel was painted with frescoes but most of them are today destroyed.
The chapel was deserted untill, during the Turkish occupation in 1873, an old small icon of the Annunciation of the Holy Mother was miraculously found there.and the monastery became a place of worship.
The building of the new church, of Byzantine style, begun at 1911 and was completed in 1924.The monastery also houses a girls orphanage established in 1958.
Rethymno City - car hire in matala Another option for a port of arrival is the city of Rethymnon which is a mixture of high end tourist resorts and a traditional inner harbour of old buildings. Most of the tourist activity and nightlife is located on the road behind the town beach, but some of the best beaches on the island are a short distance away to the west where development is not as advanced as it is toward Heraklion. There are long stretches of sand and you may find yourself alone, but be aware that there can be strong currents and there are no lifeguards.
Rethymnon is thought by many to be the most cultural city on Crete and it is similar in style to Chania with it's charming Venetian quarters of winding streets and beautiful balconies.
The city's ancient ancropolis is Palekastro Hill. A 16th century fortress stands on the hill and massive walls provide beautiful views over the town and harbour. It's a great site to explore.
The Arkadiou Monastery between Rethymnon and Iraklion is a 5th century holy site that became a symbol of Cretan restistance on November 9th 1866 when hundreds of refugees and revolutionaries chose death over surrender to the Turks and blew themselves to pieces with the gunpowder that was being stored there by the Cretan Revolutionaries. The monastery was rebuilt again and is well worth the visit.
Preveli - car hire in matala The Holy Stavropegiac and Patriarchal Preveli Monastery of Saint John the Theologian (Evangelist), known as the Monastery of Preveli is located at the south of Prefecture of Rethymnon and it is the most sacred part of the Holy Diocese of Lambis and Sfakion, in whose the spiritual jurisdiction belongs. The monastery is consisted of two main building complexes, the Lower (Kato) Monastery of Saint John the Baptist and the Rear (Pisso) Monastery of Saint John the Theologian which is in operation today.
Spili - car hire in matala Situated some 30 km South of the town of Rethymno, approximately in the middle of the island of Crete, Spili has everything for the visitor who wants to experience 'natural Crete'. Mount Vorizi which hovers over the town is impressive, but wait until you walk up the side streets of this village to be really impressed. The cobbled streets and flowering shrubs are a photographers dream. In the centre of the village is a Venetian fountain with a long row of 19 stone lions heads splashing welcome cool water into the trough below. Above this starts the climb through the beautifully quaint village streets with their flowered balconies, arches, and cobbles. In the daytime it is a hive of activity being on one of the 'must see' parts of the area for tourism. In the evenings you can relax, smug, knowing that you have chosen this village to stay in and chosen well.
This is walking and cycling country, with many different local routes to see and enjoy. Spili has a special attraction those seeking the raw natural beauty of the rugged countryside which has inspired artists, painters and photographers alike throughout the ages.
Arkadi Monastery - car hire in matala The history of the monastery goes back to Byzantine times, when a monk, possibly named Arkadios, founded the monastery which in turn was named after him.
Already in the 16th century the monastery played an important role in the cultural life of Crete. There were many copyist monks, a rich library and a school.
The Turkish invasion reduced its cultural activities for a while, but the Arkadi Monastery was able to recover promptly and received a unique privilege among Greek monasteries: the Turks allowed the ringing of its bells. Lagoumi The gunpowder storage room of Arkadi Monastery The monastery proved to be not only a remarkable cultural centre, but also played an all-important role in the fight against the Turks: when the Turkish Army (15,000 men) surrounded the monastery in November 1866, 300 fighting men and 600 women and children had taken refuge in it.
When the walls came tumbling down and the Turks began the massacre, one of the rebels, Kostis Giamboudakis, blew up the powder magazine and the sky-high explosion reduced the monastery to a pile of rubble. This heroic feat is considered one of the greatest in Cretan history and has turned the Arkadi Monastery into one of Europe's Monuments to Freedom. There's a museum in the monastery with many impressive relics of the 1866 Holocaust and some beautiful icons.
Many efforts have been made for the restoration of the monastery in the last years. Two monks live there.
Plakias - car hire in matala Plakias is set in a spectacular bay on the South Coast of the island overlooking the Libyan Sea with beautiful surrounding countryside. The first mention of Plakias was in the census of 1961 when 6 fishermen were its only permanent inhabitants, it can therefore be said to be a relatively new village or small town.
The sandy beach is an unbroken line from the Village centre to the headland one kilometre or so away. To the right of the village past its little harbour, the beach is more stoney, but ideal for those snorkellers who enjoy swimming amongst the rocks.
Many tavernas and restaurants line the attractive sea front and continue inland, for that cool refreshing drink after a few hours sun worshiping.
Heading back to Plakias gives you a second chance to view the spectacular scenery, especially the Kurtalioti Ravine. The views across to Plakias are just breathtaking, have plenty of film in your camera.
The nearby villages of Myrthios, Mariou and Asomatos can be visited if one wishes to escape the beach for a short period of time. The inhabitants of this lovely seaside village will do their utmost to make your stay a total pleasure.
We know people who return year after year to this lovely spot.
Chania City - car hire in matala As for what to do in Chania it's a case of passing the day until the sun goes down and the lights of the cafes, restaurants and bars around the harbor come on and life begins. Like most harbor towns the expensive cafes have taken the best spots on the waterfront and the cheaper and more traditional restaurants are on the fringes and the back streets.
There are also some interesting non-traditional restaurants scattered around the old town which you will come across in your wanderings. Most of the bars, discos and nightclubs are located in the inner harbor. The beaches are to the west and for a town beach they are quiet pleasant, but can fill up in the summer. Restaurants line the waterfront so you can enjoy a good meal by the sea after toasting in the sun. But, for adventurous travelers to be in Crete without a car is like being in Manhattan without a wallet.
Samaria Gorge - car hire in matala What can we say about Samaria Gorge! It is 18 Km long reputedly the longest in Europe and the walk that we take leads us through some of the most breathtaking scenery on the island.
There are ancient forests of pine and cypress, rare plants, soaring eagles and the stunning White Mountains.
It is a holy place, a secret place and a place that will leave an indelible mark on you.
It is not be missed!
After your trek take lunch, a cool drink or a swim at Agia Roumeli as we wait for the ferryboat that will take usto Chora Sfakion and the waiting coaches.
Elafonisi - car hire in matala South to Chania town lies Elafonissi beach , a beach that could easily be found in the South seas.
Opposite to the beach lies a small island also called Elafonissi which during summer time gets connected to the Cretan mainland by a strip of sand and makes the sea look like a lagoon.
The beach is famous and known for its wonderful colours , since the sand is coloured pink and gold by little pieces of shells, while trees offer their shade to the visitors.
You will find many secluded places around for sunbathe.
You can get there by boat which depart from Paleohora.
Agios Nikolaos City - car hire in matala Agios Nikolaos, the capital of the prefecture of Lassithi, is a picturesque and popular resort town on the bay of Mirabelo with a harbour area pulsating with activity and restaurants and cafes providing a cosmopolitan atmosphere, though the town itself has maintained its traditional style.
Agios Nikolaos is easily reached in an hour (65km) from Iraklion, 1 1/2 hours from Sitia (70km), and 45 minutes from Ierapetra (36km).
There is no airport, although Iraklion airport is less then one hour away. There are boats to Piraeus (Athens) and to Rhodes during the summer. The islands of the Cyclades are accessible from Agios Nikolaos, as are Kasos, Karpathos, and Kos of the Dodecanese.
The municipality of Agios Nikolaos organizes "Lato" during the tourist season. This festival consists of a number of music and dance groups including ethnic and foreign, folkloric, and modern. There are also theatrical performances and water sports competitions. In addition, every two years, during Naval Week in July, special events are organized.
All types of tourist facilities may be found in Agios Nikolaos. Since it is a very popular resort, there may be some difficulty finding accommodation. The National Tourist Office (EOT) is very helpful and is found on the main street, on the west side of the bridge at the harbour.
Zakros - car hire in matala The palace at Zakros is the fourth in terms of size, among the Minoan palaces. It was located at an advantageous strategic position, at a protected bay, and was the centre of commercial exchange with the countries of the East, as is indicated by the excavation finds (elephants tusks, faience, copper etc.) It has two main building phases: the old palace was built in c. 1900 B.C., and the new one in c. 1600 B.C., but was destroyed in 1450 B.C. along with the other centres of Minoan Crete. The palace was the administrative, religious and commercial centre, and was surrounded by the town. After its destruction, it was not rebuilt and the site was used only for cultivation. Burials have been uncovered inside caves on the slopes of the "Ravine of the Dead", as the ravine that stretches from Epano Zakros to Kato Zakros is called The English admiral Th. Spratt in his book "Travels in Crete", published in the middle of the 19th century, mentions to have seen ancient ruins in the area. At the end of the 19th century, the Italian archaeologists F. Halbherr and L. Mariani, and the English A. Evans conducted trial excavations in the area.
