Explore Crete with our travel guide to Crete, find hotels in Crete, get travel suggestions for your holidays in Crete, read about the best sandy beaches in Crete, the history and the traditions of this island in Greece http://www.explorecrete.com en http://www.explorecrete.com/hotels-crete/hotels_Kissamos.html http://www.explorecrete.com/hotels-crete/hotels_Kissamos.html Thu, 01 Apr 2010 09:02:17 GMT Hotels, Apartments and Studios in Kissamos or Kastelli Chania. Hotel Mediterranean in Kissamos and Galini Beach Hotel In Kissamos. Hotels and studios and apartments in Kissamos or Kastelli in Chania are famous for their upscale services http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Georgioupolis-beaches.html http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Georgioupolis-beaches.html Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:29:54 GMT Beaches in Georgioupolis are the Kalyvaki beach at the west, and the great beach in Geriorgioupolis which starts from east coast till Kavros and Episkopo. The main beach of Georgioupolis is a large sandy beach http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Georgioupolis-holidays.html http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Georgioupolis-holidays.html Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:29:54 GMT Holidays in Georgioupolis, hotels and apartments for rent in Georgioupolis, what to do on holiday in Georgioupolis, excursions to Vamos, Gavalochori, Lake Kournas, Vrysses http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Georgioupolis.html http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Georgioupolis.html Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:29:54 GMT Georgioupolis in Crete lies between Rethymno and Chania. In Georgioupolis you will find a large beach starting from the harbour of Georgioupolis, at the mouth of the River Almyros. How to get to Georgioupolis from Chania, Rethymno or Chania Airport, and other information on Georgioupolis http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Georgioupolis-history.html http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Georgioupolis-history.html Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:29:54 GMT The history of Georgioupolis starts with the ancient town of Amphimalla, the harbour of the city of Lappa. The Venetians built a fortress at Georgioupolis, which was firstly named Almyroupolis and later Georgioupolis. http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Plaka.html http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Plaka.html Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:51:50 GMT Plaka is located in West Crete near Kalyves and Almyrida in the Apokoronas area. Plaka is a traditional Cretan village, just right for quiet holidays. How to get to Plaka from Chania or Chania Airport http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Plaka-holidays.html http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Plaka-holidays.html Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:51:50 GMT Holidays in Plaka in Chania, hotels in Plaka, tavernas and cafeterias in the main square, sightseeing near Plaka, Elephant Cave in Kokkino Chorio, traditional villages of Litsarda, Xerosterni, Vamos http://www.explorecrete.com/hiking/EN-gorge-mygas-anogia.html http://www.explorecrete.com/hiking/EN-gorge-mygas-anogia.html Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:32:40 GMT Dromos tis Mygas or Dromos tis Mygias is near Anogia in Crete and the footpath runs next to the Myga Gorge. The Dromos tis Mygas is an easy walk on the slopes of Psiloritis http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Maleme.html http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Maleme.html Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:41:04 GMT Maleme is located in West Crete near Platanias. Maleme has a large beach and is known for the German War Cemetery and Maleme Airfield. How to get to Maleme from Chania, Chania Airport and Suda http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Maleme-airport-history.html http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Maleme-airport-history.html Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:41:04 GMT The history of Maleme starts in the Minoan period. Bloody battles were fought at Maleme when the Germans captured the airfield. The dead German soldiers have been laid to rest in the German War Cemetery of Maleme http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Maleme-holidays.html http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Maleme-holidays.html Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:41:04 GMT Holidays in Maleme, what to do on holiday in Maleme, hotels in Maleme, restaurants, tavernas, cafeterias and bars in Maleme, in Maleme you will find all you need for your holidays in Crete http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Kalyves.html http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Kalyves.html Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:47:15 GMT Kalyves is in the Apokoronas area of West Crete. Kalyves is close to Almyrida and Plaka, 19 kilometres from Chania. Kalyves on the map, how to get to Kalyves, beaches in Kalyves for quiet seaside holidays http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Kalyves-beaches.html http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Kalyves-beaches.html Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:47:15 GMT The beaches of Kalyves are Maistrali and Xydas beaches in Kalyves, Kyani Akti to the west and Kera with the Karavos rock to the east. The beaches of Kalyves are shallow with clean water and watersports http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Kalyves-holidays.html http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Kalyves-holidays.html Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:47:15 GMT Holidays in Kalyves means beautiful beaches at Apokoronas with the picturesque villages of Tsivaras, Douliana, Armeni, Macheri, small hotels in Kalyves, the festival of St Paraskevi in July, a visit to ancient Aptera and much else to do near Kalyves http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Kalyves-history.html http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Kalyves-history.html Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:47:15 GMT History says of Kalyves that it was called Amphimatrion in ancient times. Near Kalyves was Kissamos, the harbour of Aptera. At Kasteli Kalyvon the Venetians built the castle of Bicorno or Apicorno. Many villas for Europeans have been built in Kalyves today http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Almyrida.html http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Almyrida.html Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:16:39 GMT Almyrida is in West Crete near Kalyves and Plaka. There are 3 beaches at Almyrida and the large beach in Almyrida itself is shallow and ideal for windsurfing and sailing. How to get to Almyrida from Chania http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Almyrida-history.html http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Almyrida-history.html Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:16:39 GMT The history of Almyrida begins with its colonisation by the Phoenicians, while an Early Christian basilica has been discovered next to Finikia Hill. Almyrida has had an unbroken history to the present day http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Almyrida-holidays.html http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Almyrida-holidays.html Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:16:39 GMT Holidays in Almyrida means seaside holidays, on lovely beaches with small hotels, apartments for rent and tavernas with fresh fish. What to do in Almyrida in Crete http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Gouverneto-Monastery.html http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Gouverneto-Monastery.html Wed, 27 Jan 2010 08:53:28 GMT Gouverneto Monastery, a historic monastery in Crete. Gouverneto Monastery is also known as Our Lady of the Angels because it is dedicated to the Virgin. The monastery is on the Akrotiri Peninsula near Chania and here begins the footpath leading to the Avlaki Gorge, Arkoudospilios Cave and Katholiko Monastery http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Katholiko-Monastery.html http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Katholiko-Monastery.html Wed, 27 Jan 2010 08:53:27 GMT Katholiko Monastery or Monastery of St John the Hermit is near Gouverneto Monastery. To get to Katholiko Monastery take the footpath through Avlaki Gorge. Here is the cave in which St John the Hermit died http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Gouverneto-Monastery-Arkoudospilios.html http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Gouverneto-Monastery-Arkoudospilios.html Wed, 27 Jan 2010 08:53:27 GMT Arkoudospilios Cave is near Gouverneto Monastery in Akrotiri, Chania in Crete. It is also knows as the Cave of Panagia Arkoudiotissa (Our Lady of the Bear), because it contains a stalagmite shaped like a bear. In ancient times the goddess Artemis was worshiped here. The Pelasgians imagined her in the form of a bear http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-east/EN-Toplou-monastery.html http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-east/EN-Toplou-monastery.html Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:11:44 GMT Toplou Monastery or Panagia Akrotiriani in Crete. Toplou Monastery is between Sitia and Vai. At Toplou Monastery you will see Byzantine icons and a museum full of relics. Toplou produces its own organic wine and olive oil http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-east/EN-Toplou-monastery-history.html http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-east/EN-Toplou-monastery-history.html Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:04:28 GMT The history of Toplou Monastery starts in the 15th century. During the Venetian period, Toplou Monastery had its own cannon but was destroyed by the Turks and the Knights of Malta. Toplou Monastery was destroyed again in 1821 during the Turkish occupation and took part in the Resistance during the Second World War http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Falassarna-beach.html http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Falassarna-beach.html Sat, 23 Jan 2010 09:30:12 GMT Falassarna is famous for its large beach, but there are other beaches at Falassarna too. You can get to Falassarna via Kissamos, west of Chania. Falassarna offers quiet holidays but also the great beach party held every summer http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Falassarna-holidays.html http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Falassarna-holidays.html Sat, 23 Jan 2010 08:29:51 GMT Holidays in Falassarna means quiet holidays by the sea. You will find many hotels in Falassarna, as well as apartments, rooms and villas for rent. From Falassarna you can visit many parts of West Crete http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Falassarna-history.html http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-west/EN-Falassarna-history.html Sat, 23 Jan 2010 08:29:51 GMT The ancient city of Phalasarna or Falassarna became famous for its closed harbour, which is now on land due to the great earthquake of 365 AD in West Crete. The Falassarna archaeological site includes the harbour, the acropolis and the cemetery of the city http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-east/elounda.html http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-east/elounda.html Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:51:51 GMT Elounda in Crete means holidays in luxury hotels. How to get to Elounda from Agios Nikolaos, who is Elounda the ideal holiday resort for in Crete http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-east/EN-Elounda-beaches.html http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-east/EN-Elounda-beaches.html Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:51:51 GMT There are two beaches in Elounda, the main beach next to the harbour and the east beach, as well as the beach at Kolokytha and the beaches of the large hotels. Driros Beach is near Elounda http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-east/EN-Elounda-history.html http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-east/EN-Elounda-history.html Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:51:51 GMT The history of Elounda begins with the ancient city of Olous or Olounda. Elounda was submerged and abandoned during the Arab period, but under the Venetians it became an important harbour once more, with saltpans and the salt trade http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-east/EN-Elounda-lake-saltpans-kolokytha.html http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-east/EN-Elounda-lake-saltpans-kolokytha.html Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:51:51 GMT A walk round Elounda starts from the picturesque harbour, heads east towards the Venetian saltpans and the old Elounda windmill, and ends at the Kolokytha Peninsula http://www.explorecrete.com/hersonissos/EN-Hersonissos-holidays.html http://www.explorecrete.com/hersonissos/EN-Hersonissos-holidays.html Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:44:41 GMT Holidays in Hersonissos, if you are holidaying in Hersonissos you will find everything you need, such as many hotels in Hersonissos, apartments for rent, restaurants, cafes and bars in Hersonissos. Hersonissos is ideal for holidays in Crete