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EXPLORE / CRETE


 CHANIA



 SPELLBINDING

 TIMELESS


 BEAUTY



 The vibrant, cosmopolitan destination of Chania
 offers visitors some of the most authentic and
 fulfilling experiences in Greece that are sure to be
 cherished forever.






 CINEMATIC BEAUTY   two, with the old town consist-  chapels and churches. Walking   Historic landmarks from across the ages, picturesque alleys, magnificent views,
 ing of five districts surrounding   through the old town is a fa-  heroes and legends abound in Chania.
 With a history spanning over   the Venetian port.   scinating experience. To name
 four millennia, the stunning city   Vestiges of the city’s past can   just a few of the most impor-
 of Chania is one of the oldest   be seen in its dozens of Vene-  tant attractions, there’s the pic-  visitors can buy local products.   Libyan Sea. This is where Eu-  them as ghosts of the slain war-
 settlements in the world, which   tian and Ottoman buildings   turesque Venetian port whose   Then, of course, there are  rope’s longest gorge, the 18 km   riors; they are largely considered
 has blossomed into a cosmo-  and architectural details, with   16th century lighthouse, sea-  Chania’s residents, whose zest  long Samaria is located. Begin-  to be a fascinating optical illu-
 politan bucket-list entry that's   mosques, Turkish bathhous-  walls and buildings have fea-  for life is infectious, evident in  ning just below the Omalos pla-  sion caused by light reflection.
 celebrated as an alternative   es and beautiful mansions giv-  tured in many films, Firka For-  the plethora of cafes, bars and  teau, its width varies between   Sougia and Paleohora are
 to jet-set favorites Ibiza and   en a new lease of life by ongo-  tress, Giali Tzami, the highly   restaurants spread along its fas-  150 and 3 m, while its walls  pretty seaside towns offering rest
 Mykonos. Once Crete’s capi-  ing restoration works. Some of   interesting Maritime Museum   cinating labyrinth of alleyways  reach 500 m at their highest  and repose, with Paleohora pro-
 tal (from 1898 to 1971) and   the city’s old townhouses have   and Grand Arsenal, the old   and tiny squares dotted all over  points. It ends at the seaside  viding the perfect base to visit
 hands down the island’s most   been transformed into atmo-  Venetian shipyard which now   the old part of the city. This  village of Agia Roumeli, with  the peaceful island of Gavdos,
 evocative urban area, Chania is   spheric restaurants and bou-  houses the Centre of Mediterra-  place's all about enjoying life.   hikers often spotting the kri-kri,  the southernmost place in Eu-
 split into the old and new city   tique hotels. Meanwhile, the   nean Architecture, the Archaeo-  Crete’s native wild goat. Western   rope, as well as stunning Ela-
 by ancient Venetian walls that   Byzantine era is also highly visi-  logical Museum and the buzz-  CASTLES, HEROS   Crete also provides a multitude  fonisi.
 define the border between the   ble, evident in Chania’s frescoed   ing Municipal Market, where   AND LEGENDS  of opportunities for free climb-  The port town of Kissamos
                                                                     ing. The most popular climb-  – which provides a good base
                                            With its traditional villag es  ing track is found near Chania  for walking, touring and relax-
                                          and rolling hills, western Crete’s   at Theriso gorge, with levels of  ing – is situated 16 km away
                                          raw beauty is unparal leled. If  difficulty ranging from V to VIII.  from the stunning beach of Fal-
                                          you're staying at Domes Noruz   Further afield, the land is filled  assarna, with the wild and re-
                                          Chania, Autograph Collection or  with castles, heroes and legends   mote peninsula of Gramvousa
                                          Domes Zeen Chania, a Luxury  – the result of the island’s tumul-  also within close proximity. Oth-
                                          Collection Resort, Crete, any of   tuous history and many revolts,   er attractions in the surrounding
                                          these stunning landmarks are  one example being the bloody   area include the highly scenic
 Chania's old
 harbor was                               just a short drive away. Further  massacre at the hands of the Ot-  region south of Kissamos known
 built in the                             boasting mountain peaks, fer-  toman army which took place  as the Ennia Horia [Nine Villag-
 14th century by   Fom top left: The
 Venetian rulers   Venetian Arsenals      tile valleys, secluded beach-  at Frangokastello in May 1828.  es], famous for its chestnut fes-
 of the island.   or Tarsanades
 Now it's buzzing   shipyards are still   es and incredible canyons, the  In the same region, as dawn  tival on the third Sunday of ev-
 with social life   operational to this   famed area of Sfakia begins at  breaks daily between May and  ery October, as well as the ruins
 (top).         day. Next to the
 Snapping a    historic Church of         the impressive cone-shaped for-  June, strange human shadow-  of the ancient city of Polyrrhe-
 shot at the   Profitis Ilias, the
 lighthouse, at   Venizelos Tombs         mations of the Lefka Ori [White  like figures appear on the coast.  nia, which was founded by the
 the entrance   are a landmark            Mountains] and stretches all the  Folk tradition refers to them as  Dorians and was continuously
 to the town's   of 20th century
 harbor (left).      history.             way down to the shores of the   the Drosoulites and explains  inhabited until Venetian times.


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