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Excursions
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The closer surroundings of  Anoghia present pure mountain landscape.
The Ida high plateau is just 11 kms away. After another 3 kms there is Zeus' cave right below the Ida massif's highest summits. The smaller mountain village of Axos is 9 kms away and so is the stalagtite cave of Svendoni near Zoniana.
During whole-day excursions, one can experience the harbour towns and fishing villages on the north coast, or the dream beaches on the south coast of Crete.
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Panormo
is a fishing village on the island's central north coast, belonging to the prefecture of Rethymnon and located 21 kms east of the town. There are some small swimming-bays with sandy beaches west of the port.
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In former times Panormo was the port of the town of Eleftherna which is 22 kms to the south. Eleftherna which has now been excavated was one of the most important cities of ancient Crete.
In the village center as well as around the port there is a number of apartment facilities, tavernas and shops which have adapted to the needs of a rather relaxed way of tourism.
In the summer the village center is closed to traffic and the tavernas fill the narrow lanes with tables.
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Road distance: 37 kms *)
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Bali
is a former fishing village on the north coast, at the eastern edge of the governmental district of Rethymnon. It lies at the western flank of a small bay with several sandy beaches, which is framed by mountains.
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Close to the port there is a small sandy beach, and several watersports as well as diving are on offer.
A longer beach is located on the south end of the bay near to the newer hotels and apartment facilities.
As Bali's most beautiful beach ranks however the one which is hidden in a small rocky bay just behind Cape Korakias, which forms the north-western tip of the bay of Bali.
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Road distance: 47 kms *)
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Rethymnon
on Crete's north coast is the capital of the governmental district of the same name.
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It ranks as the island's cultural center and gives home to several museums, to the philosopical branch of the University of Crete, and other facilities.
The landmark of Rethymnon is the Fortezza, a fortress from the Venetian aera, standing on an exposed rock that reaches into the bay.
Further inland, the Venetian Old Town attaches to the fortress.
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In it's crooked lanes there are unnumbered small shops, arts and crafts workshops, restful bars, and restaurants of varied cuisine.
Right below the fortress there is the picturesque Venetian Port which is framed by the modern port's piers.
Every Thursday, the eastern pier also hosts the legendary weekly market of Rethymnon. During the years before, the place changed several times but that could not impair the colourful buzzle at all.
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Road distance: 52 kms *)
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Georgioupolis
is a former fishing-village by the western end of the bay of Rethymnon. Around the old village center, apartment facilities and hotels of any kind and size established themselves, and the old fishing port was extended to a small marina.
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The landmark of Georgioupolis is a tiny white chapel on the tip of the pier.
In the village center and by the port there is a number of restful cafes and restaurants. The original Mediterranean flair can be felt up to the present day.
During thousands of years, the wind and the drift formed a mile-long sandy beach which continues under water.
It therefore also suits for little children.
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Some bigger hotel resorts were built along the bay in eastward direction, and on their beaches all kinds of watersports are on offer.
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Road distance: 75 kms *)
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Spili
is a small town counting only approx. 700 inhabitants and belonging to the prefecture of Rethymnon.
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It is located some 30 kms south of the city, at 421 meters above sea level. The south shore is just behind the coastal mountains.
The surroundings are composed of particularly exciting landscapes. Mt. Vorisis (878 meters) towers above Spili, and the town itself is said to be most picturesque.
The landmark of Spili is a Venetian style fountain with 25 water-spitting lionheads, and there are even some old houses which originally remain from the Venetian era.
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Road distance: 82 kms *)
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The Valley of Amari
is one of the most scenic ways to approach Crete's central mountain range.
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It spreads from Prasses (10 kms from Rethymnon on the north coast) in south-east direction to Adopoulou (10 kms from Aghia Galini on the south coast).
Between the two villages of Vizari and Kouroutes, the valley runs in only 7 kms air-line distance below the 5 highest summits of the Ida Massif:
Stolistra / 2,325 m, Timios Stavros / 2,456 m, Angathias / 2,424 m, Vouloumenou / 2,267 m und Koussakas / 2,209 m.
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In New Greek language, the Ida Massif is also called "Psiloritis" which means "the tall one".
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Road distance: 85 kms *)
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Plakias
is an old fishing-village on the south coast of the district of Rethymnon.
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To individual tourists, Plakias is known since some years but still rather untouched by mass tourism.
Around the port and further on eastward along the sandy beach which lines the bay, some smaller hotels and apartment facilities row up.
Down by the beach road there are several restaurants and tavernas, kafenions, small supermarkets and some other shops.
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Some 1,500 meters West of the village center, the small bay of Souda with it's sandy beach opens.
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Road distance: 89 kms *)
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Aghia Galini
lies on the south slope of the small Vouvala Massif, which parts the bigger Kedros Massif from the south coast.
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The most scenic road to Aghia Galini runs from Nea Kria Vrisi via Melambes around the summit of Mt. Vouvala (947 meters).
First open views of Mt. Kedros (1,776 meters) which frequently decorates it's summit with a small cloud, and of the Ida Massif (up to 2,456 meters).
Then the road winds down the slope and opens views of the fishing village, it's port, and the entire Messara bay until Matala on the opposite coast.
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Right above the port there are some comfortable tavernas and kafenions with typical Mediterranean flair.
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Road distance: 106 kms *)
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Aghios Nicolaos
is the capital of the governmental district of Lassithi which obtains it's name from the high plateau in the district's west, and also includes the two townships of Ierapetra on the south coast and Sitia in the East of the north coast.
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The town center is located on a small peninsula which spreads eastward into the Mirambelou bay. By the southern edge there is a small fishing port and marina.
The true port of Aghios Nicolaos is however located by the peninsula's northern edge. From here, ferry boats travel to Piraeus, Rhodes, Iraklion and Sitia several times per week.
The excursion boats which head towards the former lepers' island of Spinalonga several times per day moor here as well.
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Voulismeni lake which is a small sweetwater lake is located at the side behind the port, and connected to the harbour basin via a channel. It is used as a berth for many small fishing boats.
Around the port and the lake, numerous restaurants, tavernas, kafenions and souvenir shops line up.
Inside the town there are several smaller hotels and apartment houses with a rather private atmosphere.
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Road distance: 108 kms *)
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Matala
is famous from the 1960-ies when Hippies from all over the world used to settle here, staying in the caves by the beach.
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Today, the caves must not be used for accommodation purposes anymore as they do not fulfill the minimum standard criteria as issued by the Greek Tourism Authority.
Matala his however still worth a visit. It has deep blue sea and a white sandy beach which is framed by yellow rock (with abandoned caves in it).
A blue sky covers the place, and views range over the Messara bay to Aghia Galini, to Mt. Kedros, and with clear weather even until the White Mountains ("Lefka Ori").
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It is easy to understand why they settled right here ...
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Road distance: 109 kms *)
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Aghios Pavlos
When leaving the road from Rethymnon to Aghia Galini near Kria Vrisi and turning South, one will pass the village of Saktouria and then approach to the Cape Melissa.
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Left hand splits a road down to the eastern beach of Aghios Pavlos. There are some tavernas with guest rooms, another one with a mini market, and a beach bar.
Right hand a new road leads down to the western beaches. The sand dune is remarkable, and so are the views over the Libyan Sea, towards Preveli, and with good weather conditions even of the White Mountains ("Lefka Ori").
Since 2006, the paved road makes all the dream beaches of this section of the south coast accessible.
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Triopetra (a.k.a. the beach of Akoumia) is right ahead, and from there the road continues via Aghia Paraskevi and Ligres (the beach of Kerames) until Finikas (the palm beach of Preveli).
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Road distance: 109 kms *)
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*) All data show the shortest respective road distance from Delina Hotel
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