Crete
Largest of the Greek islands, 160 miles long and up to 38 miles wide,
Crete was the cradle of early Mediterranean civilisation and is now an
island of unique fascination. Lying further south than Algiers, the little The Samaria Gorge
island of Gavdhos, just off Crete’s south coast, is the southernmost point
of Europe. No other Greek island has such a unique combination of
spectacular and varied landscapes, a distinctive character of the
islanders and impressive archaeological remains, which date from
different periods of Crete’s history: Minoan palaces, Byzantine churches,
Venetian castles and Turkish minarets.
The island’s history, geography, mythology and climate has been shaped
by the White Mountains in the west, the Psiloritis massifs in the centre
and the Sitia Mountains in the east. The mountains descend to cultivated
plains and sleepy villages and then down to a coastline of small fishing
villages and sandy beaches. An island rich in contrasts, Crete offers
seclusion to the escapist and a sense of discovery to the explorer.
The White Mountains
I
OR
H
The old, walled town of delicious home-made
OC
CRETE
UD
MO
Chania invites the visitor to alternatives to fast food.
XA
KALIVIANI become lost amongst its
Lake Kournas is a haven for
SAMONAS theatrical bustle of shops,
SAMARIA wildlife; the Samaria and
GORGE LAKE markets, tavernas, bars and
KOURNAS
MT. IDI Imbros Gorges will test the
village street life. The town is
ISTRON more intrepid explorers.
N a beautiful puzzle of Minoan,
Argiroupolis has Roman
Venetian and Turkish
tombs and mosaics
architecture punctuated by
surrounded by small
hidden squares.
waterfalls; daily expeditions to
Following the coastal roads varied archaeological sites
east of Chania an undulating can be made.
countryside of forested
Many of the villages
valleys hides small villages
specialise in individual crafts:
close to attractive sandy
traditional furniture makers,
beaches. This area of Crete
bell makers, silk co-
offers a slower-paced
operatives, basket makers,
escape from the built-up
glassblowers and lace
resorts and opportunities to
makers.
discover the island’s history,
culture, natural beauty and
Chania
200 G I C – T H E V I L L A C O L L E C T I O N
CRETE
Kalives
Almirida beach
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CRETE LAKE KOURNAS
Accommodation: ground
Villa Victoria floor of a sitting room leading to
At Lake Kournas | Sleeps 2 – 6 kitchen (with dishwasher &
microwave) and dining area;
■ Early Booking Offer one double bedroom; bathroom
with shower; cloakroom with
shower. First floor of two twin
Lake Kournas is one of only two lakes to be found on Crete. The lake has bedrooms; bathroom with
stretches of sand shared by swimmers and migratory birds. Jacuzzi bath and shower.
Facilities: air-conditioning in all
Villa Victoria has a private and secluded hillside location with magnificent,
bedrooms; satellite (flat screen)
panoramic views over the lake and out to the bay of Georgioupolis. TV/DVD & CD player; washing
Surrounding the villa is a natural, undulating landscape of olive groves, small machine; mosquito screens to
vineyards and grazing pastures for goats. all windows; barbecue.
Private swimming pool:
A simple taverna can be reached within a ten minute walk. The old village of 10m x 5m & depth 1m – 1.7m
Kournas with four tavernas, a minimarket and bakery, is a five minute drive. with child section.
Car hire included: yes
Amenities: Georgioupolis, a
ten minute drive, offers
beaches, watersports, tavernas
and shops.
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View from Villa Victoria
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C R E T E VA M O S
Accommodation: ground floor of
Hamam House an open-plan sitting room and
At Vamos | Sleeps 2 kitchen; bathroom with shower. A
steep and narrow flight of stairs to
■ Early Booking Offer one double bedroom and en suite
bathroom with small bath and
shower.
Just seven kilometres from the seaside villages and sandy beaches of Facilities: air-conditioning in
Almirida and Kalives and surrounded by the beautiful foothills of the White bedroom; TV/DVD & CD player;
Mountains, the sleepy hilltop village of Vamos provides a peaceful retreat. barbecue.
Private swimming pool:
Hamam House is a village house with wonderful views across the hills to
6m x 3m & depth 0.90m – 1.8m
Souda Bay. Originally built for a Turkish Pasha over two hundred years
Car hire included: yes
ago, the house has been carefully restored.
Amenities: narrow cobblestone
The House is just a few minutes’ walk away from the village centre. streets pass through the old village
centre of attractive stone houses, a
cafénion and two tavernas, a small
art gallery, a baker and a shop
selling local produce. Kalives, six
kilometres away, has three sandy
beaches, eight tavernas and a
good selection of shops.
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CRETE ARMENI
Accommodation: open-plan
Villa Chlöe sitting room and dining area;
At Armeni | Sleeps 2 – 6 kitchen (with dishwasher); one
double bedroom, en suite
■ Early Booking Offer bathroom with shower; two single
galleried bedrooms; bathroom with
bath. Staircase to gallery over
It is rare to find a well-appointed villa close to Crete’s northern coastline sitting room; one twin bedroom.
and Souda Bay with total privacy and without immediate neighbours. Facilities: air-conditioning in all
bedrooms; satellite TV/DVD & CD
Villa Chlöe is set in large, private grounds, with views out over a rolling
player; washing machine;
countryside of farmland and to the sea in the distance. With a gated barbecue.
driveway, the villa has peaceful seclusion. Private swimming pool:
9m x 5m & depth 0.50m – 1.5m
Within a fifteen minute drive from Chlöe are many hilltop and seaside
with child section.
villages.
Car hire included: yes
Amenities: the village of Armeni, a
drive of just two minutes, has five
tavernas and a small supermarket.
Kalives, a drive of ten minutes, has
a wider variety of shops and
tavernas and a sandy beach.
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CRETE VRISSES
Accommodation: open-plan
Villa Aphrodite sitting room, dining area and
Near Vrisses | Sleeps 2 – 4 kitchen (with dishwasher and
microwave); one double bedroom
■ Early Booking Offer with en suite shower room; one
twin bedroom; bathroom with bath.
Facilities: air-conditioning
Villa Aphrodite has a private, peaceful and countrified setting on the throughout; satellite TV/DVD & CD
outskirts of the tiny hamlet of Maza. player; PC & internet connection;
washing machine; mosquito
Six kilometres south of the sandy beaches of Georgioupolis and three
screens on all windows; barbecue.
kilometres away from the pretty village of Vrisses, Maza has a few
Private swimming pool:
traditional stone houses and a sleepy square with a small chapel and two 8m x 4.5m & depth 0.90m – 1.4m
tavernas – just a five minute walk from the villa. Car hire included: yes
Villa Aphrodite has views over the surrounding countryside and valleys of Amenities: nearby Vrisses has
pine forest and olive groves unfolding towards the White Mountains. three tavernas, a renowned bakery
and a selection of café bars and
shops. Georgioupolis, a drive of
fifteen minutes, has sandy
beaches, watersports, horse riding
and canoe trips up the river to feed
the turtles.
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CRETE VRISSES
Accommodation: open-plan
Villa Karina sitting room, dining area and kitchen
Near Vrisses | Sleeps 2 – 4 (with dishwasher and microwave);
one double bedroom and en suite
■ Early Booking Offer bathroom with shower; one twin
bedroom; bathroom with Jacuzzi
bath.
Villa Karina has a private, countrified setting about one hundred metres Facilities: air-conditioning
away from Villa Kontis, on the outskirts of Maza. throughout; satellite TV/DVD & CD
player; PC & internet connection;
Six kilometres south of the sandy beaches of Georgioupolis and three
washing machine; mosquito
kilometres away from the pretty village of Vrisses, Maza has a few screens on all windows; barbecue.
traditional stone houses and a sleepy square with a small chapel and Private swimming pool:
two tavernas – just a five minute walk from the villa. 8m x 5m & depth 0.80m – 1.5m
Villa Karina has views over the surrounding countryside and valleys of Car hire included: yes
pine forest and olive groves unfolding towards the White Mountains. Amenities: nearby Vrisses, has
three tavernas, a renowned bakery
and a selection of café bars and
shops. Georgioupolis, a drive of
fifteen minutes, has sandy beaches,
watersports, horse riding and canoe
trips up the river to feed the turtles.
208 G I C – T H E V I L L A C O L L E C T I O N
CRETE VRISSES
Accommodation: ground
Villa Maris floor of an open-plan sitting
Near Vrisses | Sleeps 2 – 8 room, dining area and kitchen
(with dishwasher); one double
bedroom; bathroom with
shower. First floor of one double
bedroom, en suite bathroom
A five minute drive from the village of Vrisses to the foothills of the White with shower; two twin
Mountains and then a short access track lead to the dramatic hilltop bedrooms; bathroom with bath.
location of Villa Maris. Facilities: air-conditioning in all
bedrooms and sitting room;
With total privacy and extensive grounds, the villa has peaceful seclusion TV/DVD & CD player; washing
and spectacular views over the surrounding valleys containing tiny machine; barbecue.
villages, farms, olive groves, vineyards and pine forests, south to the Private swimming pool:
White Mountains and east to the sea and at night, the twinkling lights of 8m x 5m & depth 1m – 1.6m
Rethymnon port. Car hire included: yes
Amenities: nearby Vrisses has
three tavernas, a renowned
bakery and a selection of café
bars and shops. The sandy
beaches of Georgioupolis are a
drive of fifteen minutes.
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CRETE VRISSES
Accommodation: ground floor of
Villa Georgia an open-plan sitting room and dining
Near Vrisses | Sleeps 2 – 6 area; kitchen (with dishwasher and
microwave); one twin bedroom;
■ Early Booking Offer bathroom with hydro-massage bath.
First floor of one double bedroom,
en suite bathroom with shower; one
A five minute drive from the village of Vrisses to the foothills of the White twin bedroom; en suite bathroom
Mountains and then a short access track lead to the dramatic hilltop with shower.
location of Villa Georgia. Facilities: air-conditioning in all
bedrooms and sitting room; satellite
With total privacy and extensive grounds, the villa has peaceful seclusion TV/DVD & CD player; washing
and spectacular views over the surrounding valleys containing tiny machine; mosquito screens on
villages, farms, olive groves, vineyards and pine forests, south to the windows; barbecue.
White Mountains and east to the sea and at night, the twinkling lights of Private swimming pool:
Rethymnon port. 10m x 4.5 m & depth 0.90m – 1.7m
Car hire included: yes
The garden and terraces around the pool are on one level and include a
Amenities: nearby Vrisses has
covered barbecue and dining area and a lawn bordered, by mulberry three tavernas and a selection of
and olive trees. café bars and shops. The sandy
beaches of Georgioupolis are a
drive of fifteen minutes.
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CRETE KALIVES
Accommodation: ground floor:
Villa Anastasia open-plan sitting room, kitchen
At Kalives | Sleeps 2 – 7 (with dishwasher and microwave)
and dining area; bathroom with
■ Early Booking Offer bath. First floor of one double
bedroom and two twin bedrooms
(one with three beds); kitchenette;
Just a few kilometres before Almirida, and fifteen kilometres from Chania, bathroom with shower.
Kalives is an attractive seaside village overlooking Souda Bay and the Facilities: air-conditioning in all
Akrotiri Peninsula with the dramatic White Mountains and endless orange bedrooms; satellite TV/DVD & CD
and olive groves in the background. player; washing machine; barbecue.
Private swimming pool:
Villa Anastasia is the Kalives village house of the Tsigounakis family. The 8m x 4m & depth 1.4m – 1.8m
front entrance leads to the narrow village high street and the rear Car hire included: no
entrance leads to a small street bordering the sea. The sandy beach of
Amenities: Kalives village has a
Mistraili is just two hundred metres away; here the shallow waters are good selection of tavernas and
ideal for children. shops and two long sandy beaches.
Small craft centres in nearby
villages: glassblowing in Kokkino
Horio, the bell maker in Neo Horio,
the lace makers in Gavalohori and
the silk makers in Kalamitsi.
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CRETE VRISSES
Accommodation: ground floor of
Villa Kontis an open-plan sitting room, dining
Near Vrisses | Sleeps 2 – 8 area and kitchen (with dishwasher
and microwave); one double
■ Early Booking Offer bedroom and one twin bedroom;
bathroom with whirlpool bath and
shower. First floor of one twin
Six kilometres south of the sandy beaches of Georgioupolis and three bedroom and mezzanine gallery with
kilometres away from the village of Vrisses, Maza is a tiny hillside village of twin beds; bathroom with shower.
a few traditional stone houses and a sleepy square with a small chapel Facilities: air-conditioning
and two tavernas – just a five minute walk from the villa. The surrounding throughout; satellite TV/DVD & CD
player; PC & internet connection;
landscape contains valleys of pine forest and olive groves unfolding
washing machine; mosquito
towards the White Mountains. screens on all windows; barbecue.
Villa Kontis enjoys a peaceful and private location. The original house of Private swimming pool:
stone has been restored and extended to incorporate traditional and 12m x 5m & depth 0.80m – 1.5m
modern features with attractive gardens. Car hire included: yes
Amenities: nearby Vrisses,
Georgioupolis, a drive of fifteen minutes, has sandy beaches, shaded by riverside plane trees,
watersports, horse riding and canoe trips up the river to feed the turtles. has three tavernas, a renowned
Lake Kournas is just eight kilometres away. bakery and a selection of café bars
and shops.
212 G I C – T H E V I L L A C O L L E C T I O N
CRETE VRISSES
Villa Kontis
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CRETE NEROKOURO
Accommodation: open-plan
Villa Stella sitting room, dining area and
At Nerokouro | Sleeps 2 kitchen; bathroom with shower;
steep staircase up to one double
■ Early Booking Offer bedroom.
Facilities: air-conditioning in
bedroom; TV/DVD & CD player;
Villa Stella is a romantic retreat for couples. One of the few houses of the washing machine; barbecue.
little hamlet of Nerokouro, Villa Stella provides a simple but peaceful and
Private swimming pool:
comfortable escape from the crowds. 7m x 5m & depth 1.5m – 1.6m
Although just nine kilometres from Chania there are no signs of tourism in Car hire included: yes
Nerokouro: a church, one café bar and a mini-market; a friendly Amenities: there are good fish
community and beautiful views over valleys towards Souda Bay. tavernas in Souda, four kilometres
away and Chania, a drive of fifteen
The villa opens out to a dining terrace with bougainvillaea and hibiscus; minutes, offers a wide selection of
three steps down to an alternative dining area in the shade of a large tavernas, shops and bars. The best
beaches are to be found at Kalives,
mulberry tree; two further steps down to the barbecue area bordered by
thirteen kilometres away.
roses; further steps to a small garden of citrus trees and date palms and
finally the pool terrace.
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CRETE THERISSO
Accommodation: ground floor of
Villa Therisso an open-plan sitting room and
At Therisso | Sleeps 2 – 4 kitchen (with dishwasher); study;
cloakroom. First floor of one double
■ Early Booking Offer bedroom and en suite bathroom
with bath; one twin bedroom and en
suite bathroom with shower.
Villa Therisso will appeal to those looking for a comfortable Cretan Facilities: air-conditioning in both
escape and a hilltop village position to enjoy dramatic views over bedrooms; mosquito screens on all
Therisso Gorge. windows; satellite TV/DVD & CD
player; washing machine;
Twelve kilometres south of Chania, Therisso village hides away in the barbecue.
foothills of the White Mountains. The surrounding hills and valleys of the Private swimming pool:
Gorge provide many interesting walks and a drive up to the White 9m x 4.5m & depth 0.70m – 1.7m
Mountains introduces some of the most spectacular views on the island. Car hire included: yes
Amenities: Therisso village, which
has a basic minimarket and a
choice of nine tavernas, is a walk of
three minutes. Beaches on the
north coast are a drive of twenty
five minutes.
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CRETE KALIVIANI Accommodation: ground
floor of an open-plan sitting
room and dining area; kitchen
(with dishwasher); one double
bedroom and en suite
bathroom with shower; utility
room; cloakroom. First floor of
one double bedroom, en suite
bathroom with shower;
mezzanine gallery with two
single beds; one twin bedroom;
one single bedroom; one
bathroom with shower. A
separate studio (for parties of
more than nine people) below
the house has a double bed,
sitting area with single sofa bed,
dining area, kitchenette and
bathroom with shower. Please
enquire for extra cost of studio,
if needed, for parties of nine or
less.
Facilities: air-conditioning
throughout except studio,
which is built out of the rock
and therefore cool; TV/DVD &
CD player; washing machine;
barbecue.
Private swimming pool:
7m x 5m & depth 0.50m –
1.8m + child section
Villa Patriko Car hire included: yes
At Kaliviani | Sleeps 2 – 12 Amenities: the two village
■ Early Booking Offer tavernas are just a five minute
walk away. The port of Kasteli,
with its waterfront tavernas, café
The peaceful village of Kaliviani, close to the Gramvoussa Peninsular at bars and supermarket, is a ten
minute drive. The north west
Crete’s north-west tip, offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience the
coast is known for its stunning
essence of a traditional Cretan village lifestyle. The streets have no names or sandy beaches – Trachilos
house numbers but the postman knows all of the three hundred locals. A beach is a five minute drive, the
friendly village community centres around two tavernas and two café bars, long sandy beaches of
surrounded by narrow streets and country lanes. Beautiful sandy beaches, Falissarna are a drive of fifteen
minutes and the pink sands of
intriguing archaeological sites, monasteries and busier shopping villages are
Ellafonissi beach, below the
all close by. Krissokalitzitas Monastery, is a
drive of one hour. From
Villa Patriko stands privately on the edge of the village with stunning views
Kissamos there is a ferry to visit
across the valley and out across the Bay of Kissamos. the 16th Century castle on
Gramvoussa.
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The pink sands of Falissarna beach
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