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Vai
- Palekastro in Crete
Hotels and apartments
The old village of Palekastro (or Paleokastro) is 19
km from Sitia and is a typical original farming village that has grown
and become more lively in recent years, yet still very much retains
its delightful character. As the nearest village to the famous palm
beach of Vai, in far eastern Crete, it is a good place to spend a
few nights while visiting Vai,
and in any case is a lovely place to get completely
away from the crowds. From here travelling in various directions,
there are numerous outings or sightseeing possibilities to be had.
For example the clean and beautiful beaches of Chiona and Kouremenos,
both of which have Blue European Flag awards, and are also very good
for wind surfing. The tiny traditional village of Agathia with its
pretty sky-blue domed church which can be seen from far. Other worthwhile
outings are to Itanos, the smaller version of Vai, with white sand
and slender Palm trees, to the Monastery of Toplou, as well as to
the Minoan Palace of Kato Zakros. There are plenty of opportunities
to go walking, and there are lots of gorges in this area. The most
famous gorge is the ‘Valley of the Dead’, a sheltered,
fertile, almost sub tropical valley with oregano. The very well known
beach of Vai is 8 km away from Palekastro, and also has been awarded
the Blue European Flag. It is very inviting with its pale silken sandy
beach, fringed by tall date Palms, and offers delightful swimming
conditions.
The extensive ‘oasis’ of Palms, extends
quite some way inland and the area is under a conservation order,
apart from the front beach area. You will find a variety of water
sports available and there are some beach cafes serving snacks and
drinks. Our houses and villas in the quiet surrounding area of Palekastro,
are far removed from any hustle and bustle, and should give you the
possibility of becoming familiar with the gentle rhythm of the Cretan
way of life..
Hotels & apartments in Vai - Palekastro
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| Address in Greece: Astrikas - Chania - Crete |
Samaria gorge. Crete, Greece
Having a total length of sixteen kilometres, this gorge is the largest in Europe and certainly the most famous and visited among the many gorges of Crete.
Until about the middle of the century it was a wild landscape with a totally undisturbed ecosystem and home to a great number of wild birds and mammals as well as to a small population of woodcutters and shepherds who lived in Agia Roumeli or in the village of Samaria inside the gorge.
Today this village has been abandoned, but the steep slopes of the gorge and the thick forests in the surrounding area are still populated with many rare species. These include over fifty species of wild birds - among them, the extremely rare harrier eagle (Gypaetus barbatus) and golden eagle (Aquila Chrysaetos), both threatened with extinction - and about ten species of mammals among which the famous Cretan wild goat otherwise known as kri kri and the Cretan polecat known as zourìdha. As for the flora of the area, it is abundantly rich and includes many wild flowers native to this land.
In 1962, the gorge, together with a small area to the west and east of it, was officially declared a National Park, so that its delicate ecosystem could be protected.
The park extends over an area of 5100 hectares and, unlikeits quiet days in the past, today it is visited by some 300,000 people a year, all of them determined to walk the gorge. Visits are allowed between May and October, but in July and August the tourists are so many that it is impossible to be alone even for a minute. On the other hand, if you can come between May and early June, or between the middle of September and the end of October, you will certainly enjoy it a lot more.
A good time to visit the gorge (in fact, a time before it is officially opened to the public) is the first weekend of April, when a two-day festival is held in Samaria in honour of Osia Maria. The liturgy in the small Byzantine church is chanted by father Giorgis Chiotakis of Sfakia, an amazing priest who likes a good feast as much as anyone else and yet is a truly holy man.
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