Villa Pallas enjoys a fabulous position near the traditional village of Vamos. Vamos is a semi-mountain village, three hundred metres above sea level, which is surrounded by wild nature. It enjoys a blissful setting with stunning sea views. The nearest beach is only seven kilometres away. Vamos is very attractive, sprinkled with ancient buildings and a wonderful array of restaurants, bars and mini-markets. It hosts many events including its Jazz in July Festival.
The nearest beaches to Villa Pallas are Almirida Beach, Kalives Beach, Kiani Akti, Kera, Ombrosgialos, Kalivaki and Georgioupoli Beach. Some are very touristy with loungers, restaurants and tavernas while others such as Kera are very quiet.
The nearby village of Aptera is also known as Megala Chorfia. Wildflowers bloom along narrow roads and shepherds tend to their flocks in the fields surrounding the village. There are some lovely amenities. The archaeological remains of ancient Aptera dating from the Minoan and Roman times are located just outside the village and beyond this is a Turkish castle which is perched strategically on the headland overlooking the sea. Just along from Aptera is Souda, the second biggest port of Crete. In the middle of the bay is a small islet of the same name with a beautiful Venetian castle standing in its centre.
The Monastery of Agios Georgios in Karydi is also worth visiting. You will discover the remains of a beautiful olive press built in 1860 and consisting of twelve stone arches. There is a fascinating information room. Just before reaching the monastery, you can take a right turn to visit the beautiful church of the Koimisis of Theotokou with its 11th to 14th-century frescoes.
Known as the Venice of the East, Chania Old Town is magical with unique shops lining its cobbled streets, a brilliant dining scene, trendy waterfront bars serving delicious cocktails and its famous Venetian harbour and imposing lighthouse. The harbour was originally built by the Venetians between 1320 and 1356 and is now a vibrant, cosmopolitan spot. The Egyptian lighthouse is much photographed, especially at sunset. You can take a slow meander to the lighthouse to take in the stunning views of the harbour, the Old Town and the backdrop of the majestic White Mountains. On the waterfront, the Giali Tzamisi is the oldest Muslim building in Crete. The Turkish name is translated to ‘The Seaside Mosque’. It plays host to various cultural events and exhibitions. One visit will not be enough!
In the opposite direction, Rethymno is roughly forty minutes away and definitely worth a visit. You will be rewarded by its history, the delicious local wine, its waterfront tavernas and its stunning beaches. In the old quarter, the buildings date back to the 16th century and its pretty, cobbled streets and stamp-sized piazzas are lined with restaurants and unique shops. The Venetian-styled harbour is beautiful and is overlooked by the castle. The nearby beach resorts of Bali, Agia Galini, Plakias and Adelianos Kampos are gorgeous. The historical monasteries of Preveli and Arkadi are very popular visits.
Following the Minoan Palace of Knossos, the second most visited tourist attraction in Crete is the dramatic and imposing Samaria Gorge. It sits at the foothills of the White Mountains and is the longest and most famous gorge in Europe. Within the White Mountain’s National Park, it rises to an altitude of 1,230m, is 150m at its widest point and 3m at its narrowest and continues down to Agia Roumeli on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. The park and gorge offer protection to over four hundred and fifty species of plant and animal, of which seventy are endemic to Crete. This includes the rare kri-kri which are wild goats.
If you get time to visit Balos Beach, Elafonisi or Falasarna Beach, you will remember them forever. They are three of the best beaches in all of Greece. In the protected ‘NATURA’ area of Balos Bay, Balos Beach’s glistening white sand and turquoise sea are incredible. Not far away is Falasarna, a wondrous Cretan lagoon with pool-like waters and pink sand. It has been awarded the best beach in Crete and one of the top ten beaches in Europe. Elafonisi also enjoys pinkish sand, shallow water and the most incredible sunsets.
