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Excursions
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As the hotel is just 2 kms from the nearest entrance to the National Road, from here the whole West of ▶ Crete reveals itself for exploration.
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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: 40 kms *)
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The Gorge of Samaria
begins by the southern edge of the high plateau of Omalos in the White Mountains ("Lefka Ori"), some 42 kms South of Chania.
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The entrance at 1,127 meters above sea level is called the Wooden Stairs ("Xyloskalo"), and overtowered by Mt. Gingilos (2,080 meters) which ranks as Crete's most beautiful mountain.
A path leads down the 16 kms long gorge, crossing the island's largest nature preserve.
It passes the abandoned village of Samaria, and by the gorge's southern exit the Iron Gate ("Sideroportes") where the rocky walls form a corridor of only 2 meters width.
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Another 2 kms South there is the old fishing village of Aghia Roumeli where one can have a swim in the Libyan Sea by the beach of the ancient town of Tarra, or relax in one of the tavernas while waiting for the boat that connects Paleohora and Soughia to Hora Sfakion.
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Road distance: 43 kms *)
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Kournas
is a picturesque and rather sleepy village above the western bay of Rethymnon roughly 7 kms south-east of Georgioupolis.
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It is better known because of the Kournas Lake which lies 2 kms below the village and is said to be Crete's only freshwater lake. At least as the only "real" one as it is of natural origin, and has water all-year.
The lake's main spring is close to the southern bank, deep under water. On the northern bank there are some tavernas, and a pedalo rental.
And of course one can have a swim in Lake Kournas: without chlorine, and without salt.
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Road distance: 44 kms *)
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Falassarna
is the name of an ancient settlement at Cape Koutri on Crete's west coast, by the sourthern end of the big Gramvoussa peninsula and by the northern edge of the bay of Livadi.
The name today stands for the 3 kms long beach that frames the bay.
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The wind from the sea formed it from sandstone, and at some places one can still find some odd remnants of the former sandstone rocks.
The last kilometers of the way to Falassarna are not easy to find. One first has to cross the town of Kastelli Kissamos and to pass it's two ports, until the world seems to end.
After turning left, one will reach the village of Platanos, and will have to search for one of the signs pointing to Falassarna. Some of them are hidden between high grass.
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The efforts will pay as above the bay, unique views of the sea and the surrounding mountains will open. The beach anyway ranks as one of Crete's finest.
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Road distance: 48 kms *)
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Argiroupolis
stands on the areal of the ancient town of Lappa, above the western bay of Rethymnon some 9 kms South of the coast.
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By the lower village border there is a spring with picturesque cascades, which over a distance of 23 kms provides the town of Rethymnon with drinking-water.
The village is a popular destination for excursions as it has typical tavernas (one of them breeding their own trouts), traditional kafenions and bars, a small museum, and fascinating views of the peaceful surroundings, of the White Mountains (Lefka Ori) and the Aegean Sea.
The Lappa excavation site is right next door.
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Road distance: 55 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: 63 kms *)
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Elafonissi
means "Stag Island". There are no stags on Crete anymore since long, but the small island by the south-western edge of the big island still exists.
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A reef of red coral connects the two islands, while the neighbouring coastline consists from fine white sand.
The wind and the waves transport plenty of this sand to the top of the reef during springtime, and in late summer at low tide, one can walk from one island to the other on dry foot.
The winter storms will then clean the reef's edges again and allow the corals to continue growing until next year's springtime.
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The reef with it's pink edges, the neighbouring white beaches, and the blue sea around make almost a South Sea paradise. Only palm trees are missing, there are shady pine trees instead.
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Road distance: 71 kms *)
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Chora Sfakion
on the first glance gives the impression of a sleepy south coast village where time stands still.
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Twice per day, things however change when the ferry boat from Paleochora via Sougia and Agia Roumeli arrives.
One can then experience how the infrastructure of Crete was organized during the Minoan Age when country roads did not exist: Ships were steadily travelling around the island and connecting all the bigger and smaller ports and townships.
In the meantime, you can make yourself comfortable in one of the tavernas by the port, and watch cars and trucks assembling for the next boat.
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Or you can fit in a side-trip e.g. via Anopoli to Aradena and it's famous valley bridge, or follow the uncounted serpentine bends up to Imbros village which is famous as well, for the pancake with cheese and thyme honey.
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Road distance: 74 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: 102 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: 109 kms *)
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Anogia
is one of Crete's highest mountain villages, and besides the biggest one.
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The people of Anogia were allways highly respected for their musical tradition and all over Crete they have a reputation for their excellent dancers and folkloristic musicians.
Some of the best families of musicians come from Anogia (Xylouris, Skoulas).
A treasure of the village is a tiny private museum that exhibits outstanding objects of the painter and sculptor Alkibiades Skoulas. In his old ages he began to paint the memories of his life.
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Being a center for sheep and goat breeding, Anogia is also well known for it's beautiful woven goods.
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Road distance: 117 kms *)
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*) All data show the shortest respective road distance from Thodorou Aparthotel
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