Villa Asime is perfectly positioned overlooking the much acclaimed Falasarna beach, on the west coast of the Greek island of Crete, in the azure waters of the Aegean Sea. The villa is a scenic sixty-eight kilometres drive from Chania International Airport, and fifty-seven from the port of Souda if you are island hopping. The stunning Falasarna sandy beaches are just eight hundred metres from the villa, a steep walk downhill to turquoise blue seas, famous for its water sports, including jet skiing, windsurfing, paragliding, and fishing. For those who prefer a more relaxing day, the west-facing beach delivers the most breathtakingly beautiful sky on fire sunsets.
The west coast is home to some of Crete’s best beaches, go north to scuba dive in Kissamos and Balos, and go south to Sfinari, and the must-see pink sands of Elafonisi. The village of Falasarna has a minimarket for your holiday supplies, and a handful of cafes, bars, and tavernas to sample the local fare. The history of the area can be found at the Hellenistic fort and the ancient inland harbour. Go to Chania, and stroll the narrow streets of the old town, walk down to the Venetian harbour, and view the sixteenth-century lighthouse. Visit the Nautical and Archaeological Museums, then meander around the Municipal Gardens, before enjoying a delicious dinner of freshly caught fish at a waterfront restaurant. See the port of Souda, home to the archaeological site of ancient Aptera, and an Ottoman fort. Explore the three hundred caves the island hides, hike over hillsides, streams, and rocky ravines to discover watermills and ruins, and stop along the way at a local winery to taste the fruits of the many vineyards.
All aboard a boat trip, where you can swim and snorkel, or scuba dive underwater ruins, before sunbathing on deck. Spend the day in the port town of Heraklion. Visit the ancient Palace of Knossos, and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, walk along the Venetian walls, and stroll through the old quarter, where you can shop for souvenirs. Go further afield to Vai, Crete’s easternmost tip, where you will find lush forests and a unique date palm. Explore Psychro Cave, reputedly the birthplace of Zeus, and rock climb Mount Ida to find the Ideon Cave. Sitia Geopark is three hundred and fifty square kilometres of the island’s diverse ecosystem, where you can trek through gorges, bathe on beaches, walk the wetlands, and bird-watch. Hike the Richtis Gorge, stroll through streams to reach the twenty-metre waterfall, and then can cool off in the inviting pool.
Find solace in the fifteenth-century Toplou Monastery, and admire its beautiful Byzantine icons. From the exclusive town of Elounda take a boat tour to the intriguing island of Spinalonga, once a former leper colony with a Venetian fortress, and now an open-air museum. Go to the harbour town of Agios Nikolaos, which uniquely houses a lake in its centre, with an Archaeological Museum full of Minoan treasures, and lots of shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants in which to sit, and watch the local life go by.