Reis 13/04/2000 – 20/04/2000Kreta 2000 17/02/2018 Kreta-April-2000.doc Page 4 of 22. 1.2 Rethymnon – Ρεθγμνον

Reis

13/04/2000 – 20/04/2000

donderdag 6 april 2000

Written by: Leo Jo Estercam

Kreta 2000

17/02/2018 Kreta-April-2000.doc Page 2 of 22.

Index

Written by: Leo Jo Estercam __________________________________________________ 1

1. Hotel beschrijving ______________________________________________ 3

1.1 Hotel Jo-An ______________________________________________________ 3

1.2 Rethymnon – Ρεθγμνον ____________________________________________ 4

1.3 Algemeen overzicht van de streek ___________________________________ 5

2. Wandelingen ___________________________________________________ 6

2.1 Donderdag 14 April – Reisdag heen __________________________________ 6

2.2 Vrijdag 14 April – Agia Irini & Vrissinas _______________________________ 9 Synoptics ___________________________________________________________________ 9

2.3 Zaterdag 15 April – Plakias ________________________________________ 10 Synoptics __________________________________________________________________ 10

2.4 Zondag 16 April – Museum dag ____________________________________ 13

2.5 Maandag 17 April – Imbros kloof ___________________________________ 16 Synoptics __________________________________________________________________ 16

2.6 Dinsdag 18 April – Aghia Galini ____________________________________ 20 Synoptics __________________________________________________________________ 20

2.7 Woensdag 19 April – naar Jean ____________________________________ 22

2.8 Donderdag 20 April – Reisdag terug ________________________________ 22 Terugreis __________________________________________________________________ 22

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1. Hotel beschrijving

1.1 Hotel Jo-An

8 Dimitrakaki Street GR 74100 Rethymnon – StrAND

1 driepersoonskamer Bad/Douche, toilet, A/C, balkon Half Pension Prijzen : 22,800 BEF per persoon 450 BEF Luchthaven tax 810 BEF Luchthaven tax -490 BEF Kamertype 2,678 BEF Annulatieverzekering Totaal : 69,608 BEF Totaal : 1,725.54 €

+30.831.71.487 +30.831.24.241 * +30.831.24.244

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1.2 Rethymnon – Ρεθγμνον

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1.3 Algemeen overzicht van de streek

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2. Wandelingen

2.1 Donderdag 14 April – Reisdag heen

Vertrek : Pick-up Service 05:00 Brussel – Heraklion VEX 408 06:50 (GMT +2) 11:25 (GMT +3) Aankomst Hotel ... ... ... ...

Rethymnon

Info Rethymnon is the capital of the Prefecture of the same name and it is built between two other large cities of Crete. In the east is Iraklion (80 km) and to the west is Hania (60 km). It lies along the north coast, having to the east one of the largest sand beaches in Crete (12 km) and to the west a rocky coastline that ends up to another large sand beach after 10 km. It is the administrative, communications and commercial center of the Prefecture with approximately 20.000 inhabitants.

Access

There is direct connection all year round from the port of Rethymnon to Piraeus.Tours to Santorini are also organized during the summer. Rethymnon does not have an airport but the city is served by the airports of Hania and Iraklion. Public buses can be used for travelling to Hania, Iraklion and most of the towns and villages of the Prefecture of Rethymnon.

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History Rethymnon became a city during the Venetian occupation. The Venetians needed an intermediary port for their operations for their ships travelling from Iraklion to Hania. They also needed a administrative center, so Rethymnon became the third bigger city in Crete and an important cultural center. Rethymnon was destroyed in 1567 when Algerian pirates conquered, robbed and burned it. The Turks took over Rethymnon at 1646.

Sights

The town still maintains its old aristocratic appearance, with its buildings dating from the 16th century, arched doorways, stone staircases, Byzantine and Hellenic-Roman remains, small Venetian harbor and narrow streets. The Venetian Loggia today houses the Archaeological Museum of Rethymnon. The big municipal gardens are ideal for those in search of shade and tranquillity. Throughout the year various activities are organized which draw a large crowd. The Wine Festival is held there annually at the beginning of July. Another festival is held on 7-8th of November, in memory of the destruction of Arcadi Monastery.

Facilities

Rethimnon is a city that caters to the needs of the visitor. There are a lot of places to stay ranging from luxury hotels to rent a room, bed and breakfast apartment buildings.

Night life can range from extremely intense on the pubs and bars around the harbor and inside the old city , to relaxed on small bars right on the beach. There is always fresh fish to be found in the tavernas around the harbor and there are many other restaurants and tavernas outside the city in equally attractive surroundings. Arabatzoglou Street A commercial road with many old buildings.

Shopping could also be interesting at Rethimno. There are lots of small shops with attractive merchantise from souvenirs, cards, etc to the most rare kind of sponge.

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2.2 Vrijdag 14 April – Agia Irini & Vrissinas

Wegwijzer voor West-Kreta; blz. 75 10 Rethymnon – Agia Irini – Kapadiana – Chromonastiri – Myli Synoptics

Afstand : 15km – 23km Hoogte verschil: ... ... hm

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2.3 Zaterdag 15 April – Plakias

Wegwijzer voor West-Kreta; blz. 125 27 Plakias – Selia – de Kotsifas-kloof – Mirthios - Plakias Synoptics

Afstand : 9km Hoogte verschil: ... ... hm

Plakias is a coastal settlement at the southern Crete, 40 km south of Rethimno, with 237 permanent residents, built at the cove of the bay of the same name on a wonderful sandy beach, 1300 m long, between the capes Stavros and Kako Mouri, that is ideal for swimming and sea sports. Plakias belongs to the municipalities of Selia (the western part) and Mirthios (the eastern part) a couple of picturesque villages located not far from Plakias. The first mention of Plakias was in the census of 1961 when only 6 fishermen were its permanent inhabitants. The natural beauty of the place helped Plakias to become a renowned tourist resort now providing all the facilities that a visitor could wish.

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Large hotels, youth hostel, small traditional style apartments, camping site, taverns, restaurants, bars, everything to make the visitors' stay comfortable and unforgetable. There are many small secluded beaches for the naturalism lovers as well as some organized ones providing quite few facilities such as sun chairs, umbrellas, sea sports etc.

Mirthios is a small village with 224 permanet residents built on the southern slope of the mountain "Kouroupa" (984m), 36 km from the city of Rethimnon. It is the birthplace of the linguist George Hatzidakis and his brother John both wellknown university professors. The name Mirthios (or Mirtos) is believed to come from the plant "mirsini". Mirthios is an old (first mentioned at the Fr Barozzi's census in 1577) traditional village with picturesque paved narrow streets and stairs, and a breathtaking view of the bay of Plakias and the surrounding mountains. One of the places worth to see is the old small church of "Metamorfossis tou Sotiros", with remarkably well preserved frescoes. The visitor can enjoy the cretan specialties at the small taverns of the village. Some rooms are available to rent for those who want to spend the night at Mirthios or make it their starting point for exploring the surrounding area.

Kourtaliotiko Gorge is formed by the steep sides of the mountains Kouroupa and Xiron. Its imposing entrance is near the village Koxare a place named "profarago". At the bottom of the gorge flows the river megapotamos or kourtaliotis or massalias, which collects the water from the valley of Agios Vassilios and Spili. The gorge ends at the sea creating a small lake surrounded by palm trees. Not far from there is the famous monastery of Preveli.

The strong winds make the steep rocky walls to whistle, and sweep small stones that tumble and crackle. This noise gave the name "kourtaliotiko" (=crackling) to the gorge. A little before the exit of the gorge there is a small waterfall, about 40m high. The water comes out of five points and flows all year around.

A legend says that those five springs were made from the imprint of the fingers of Saint Nicholas, an ascetic who was born in the nearby village Frati and used to live there years ago, on arock. This was a miracle that happened because the ascetic had no water an was about to leave the place. In memorial to this Saint, which is celebrated at September 1st, the local people called the spring "evlogia kiriou" (Lord's blessing) and built a small chapel a little further from that spring. S.Spanakis KRITI v.B'

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Kanevos is located just before the entrance of the "KOTSIFOU" gorge at 450 m a.s.l. There are a couple of good taverns with rooms for rent, operating all year around, for those who want to make Kanevos their starting point for excursions to the broader area. The name "Kanevos" is considered to be of Venetian origin (caneva= wineshop) as in the past there were some renowned inns here.

A sign just before the gorge points to the village "Kali Sikia" located a few kilometers to the west. We take this raod having on the left hand the gorgeous pick of "Tsilivdikas" and the impressive "Kaliskiano" gorge. Kali Sikia, was mentioned by Fr Barozzi at his 1577 census to be comprised of two separate settlements, Pano and Kato Kali Sikia. Emm. Lamprinakis, a teacher from Rethimno, writes that in 1830 Mohamad Ali had a coal mine at Kali Sikia. From Kali Sikia there is an up-hill dirt road through an impressive landscape which leads to the village Velonado. Experienced walkers or bicyclists will enjoy this route, which is however recommended to start from Velonado.

Leaving behind the villages of the municipality of Agios Ioannis, we drive to the south through the "Kotsifou" gorge. The road stretches like a snake along the high vertical walls and after a few kilometers we have in front of us the imposing view of the southern coastline. Now the road splits in two: to the righ towards the village Selia and then Rodakino, Fragokastelo, Sfakia, and since our destination is Plakias it is better to take the road to the left and access the traditional village of Mirthios

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2.4 Zondag 16 April – Museum dag

Hania

Hania is the capital of the Prefecture of the same name and the second biggest town in Crete, with a population of 60.000 inhabitants. It is the administrative, economical, communications and commercial center of the Prefecture. Access

Hania has daily sea connection with Piraeus via ferry boats. The bay of Suda that serves as the port of Hania, is the biggest and safest bay in the East Mediterranean. The airport of Hania is located at Sternes, in Akrotiri, 14 km east of the town. Hania is connected by air to Athens but there are also several charter flights from all over Europe during the summer. At the airport are car rentals and taxis for all parts of the island.

History Hania is built on the site of the ancient city of Kydonia. This site was inhabited from Neolithic times and through all phases of the Minoan Period. Kydonia developed into a very important center of the Minoan civilization and it was famous for its pottery workshops. During the Roman period Kydonia was an important city. Kydonia was destroyed in 828 AD by the Saracene pirates. During the Byzantine period Hania ceased to be an important city. When the Venetians came they settled in Kastelli, the hill which commands the harbor, and they fortified it. They built there their cathedral, Santa Maria, as well as a palace, theatre and houses for their nobility. The city flourished as an economical and intellectual center. The fear of a Turkish invasion forced the Venetians to enclose the entire town with a wall and a moat. In 1645 the Turks occupied Hania after a two months siege. In 1850 they transferred the capital of the island there. With the liberation of Crete from the Turks, in 1897, Hania became the capital of the autonomous Cretan State. In 1913, along with the rest of Crete, it was united with the rest of the Greek State. Hania was the birth place of one of the greatest statesman of the new Hellenic Republic, Eleftherios Venizelos. Venizelos' influence on the history of Greece was paramount, from his participation to the talks with the Ottomans that resulted to granting Crete independence in 1897, to the final union of Crete with Greece in 1913.

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Sights Hania is one of the nicest towns in Crete, with wonderful houses, parks and squares and a well designed town-plan.

The Public Market is an impressive building, in the town center, built at the beginning of the present century (1911) and houses grocery stores, butchers' shops, a fish market and vegetable shops. The Public Gardens, next to the Market, are ideal for those in search of shade and tranquillity.

Northeast of the gardens is the beautiful neighborhood of Chalepa where the residences of Prince George and Eleftherios Venizelos were. The old city has preserved to a great extent the distinctive atmosphere and charm of the Venetian and Turkish periods. Entire Venetian, Turkish and Jewish quarters are saved, with well preserved buildings in the narrow picturesque streets. One of the most significant buildings is the large Venetian church of Aghios Frankiskos which today houses the Archaeological Museum of Hania. The old city leads at the harbor, where many Venetian and Turkish buildings are preserved. At the entrance of the harbor, at its northerst point, is the renovated fort "Firkas", built on 1629, that today houses the Maritime Museum of Hania as well as a summer theatre, where

drama performances are presented. Opposite the Firkas fort, is the magnificent Venetian lighthouse, built on the 16 century and restored by the Egyptians. The harbor is protected by a Venetian breakwater, built of huge stones. At the center of the breakwater are the ruins of a fortress. West of Hania, at a distance of 4.5 km, is the

hill of Profitis Ilias, where the memorial and tomb of Eleftherios Venizelos and his son Sophokles are located. Hania can be the starting point for a tour to the western Crete, a part of the island with magnificent natural beauty. There are lots of places worth seeing , within driving distance (two to three hours) , the most famous being the Samaria Gorge. This is a National Park of Greece that starts at the village of Omalos, at an altitude of 1227 m. and ends after a walk of approximately 18 Km to the beach of Agia Roumeli. The Gorge is open from May to the beginning of October and is definitely a must for everyone.

Facilities Hania offers a large number of accommodation in hotels of all categories. There are also guest houses and hostels.

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The old city is full of restaurants and taverns, housed in renovated houses, or even in the open-air remains of old buildings. There are also plenty of bars and night spots . Night life in Hania is very intense with most places staying open throughout the night. Usually a night out for most locals starts with dinner , continues with a visit to bars and discos and ends with coffee and sweets

in the early morning.

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2.5 Maandag 17 April – Imbros kloof

Wegwijzer voor West-Kreta; blz. 118 25 De Imbros-klooof – Komitades – Hora Sfakion Synoptics

Afstand : 11km Hoogte verschil: ... ... hm

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Imbros

The village is built at an altitude of 780m, and is called Imbros or Nimbros. The picturesque plateau covers an area of 2,500 sq. meters and has approximately 100 inhabitants that stay in the village from April to November. In the winter time they move to the southern villages. They are mostly stock breeders and farmers and they cultivate walnut trees and grapes that produce excellent wine and raki. The village also produces fine honey. Most of the time in winter the village is covered with snow. In the village there are taverns where the visitor can taste the traditional Sfakian cooking. Imbros is a place of great historical value and the birth place of great Cretan revolutioners. It was destroyed in all the revolutions in Crete, at 1770, 1821, 1824 and 1827.

The ravine of Imbros begins from the last houses of the village and 8 km after it ends at the village of Komitades. Its crossing is smooth and entails no danger. It is easy to access even for those who are not used to long walks. It is accessible throughout the year unless it rains or snows hard. Its entrance is smooth with cypress-trees, holm-oaks, wild fig-trees and wild almond trees.

After a while the landscape becomes rocky, and there are many cypress trees and flowers. As in all Sfakian ravines, it became a refuge for Christians during the Turkish occupation, and a base for revolutioners. Within one hour walk the visitor reaches the Mesofarago where there is a Venetian cistern . At this point during the summer there is one inhabitant of the village with a donkey (to help those that are tired from walking)

and with refreshments. The lanscape from here becomes wild with the rocksides being close and vertical. The narrowest width of the ravine is 2 m while the rock sides reach the

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300 m. Many caves are formed in its steepy rocks. A path to the right leads to the village of Komitades.

The ravine ends up to a rocky shore with many sea caves. During the last years there is an increase in the mountain bike excursions organised mostly in the area of Imbros. The biker can enjoy wonderful rides such as: to the mountain peaks Akone - Asfendou -Kalikrati - Asi Gonia to Hora Sfakion to Vrises towards Fragokastello - Rethimnon

Komitades

In the exit of the ravine of Imbros, near the south coast of Sfakia, is the Komitades village . It is located in an altitude of 200 m, 68 km from the city of Hania and 4,5 km from Hora Sfakion. The area is covered with olive trees and the view to the Libyan sea and the island of Gavdos in the horizon is wonderful. The village was destroyed many times by Saracenes pirates. According to the tradition during

one of these attacks the villagers asked the help of Saint Georgios and when the village was saved they built a wonderful church to his honor (14th century) . This church is painted with exquisite frescoes painted by a famous at his time painter Ioannis Pagomenos. In the past Komitades used to be a big, rich village with many wonderful houses, most of them now deserted, and many of his inhabitants were merchants. Today the main occupation of the people in Komitades is stock breeding and olive oil production. The village also produces excellent honey.

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In the village there are rooms to rent and taverns with traditional Sfakian cuisine. In the square of the village the visitor can buy the famous Sfakian woven and embroidery artifacts and can see a Sfakian woman preparing them on the loom.

The traditional loom

The chapel of Agios Pavlos

Around the village there are many caves. Built in one of these caves, outside the village in the exit of the ravine of Imbros is the chapel of Agios Pavlos. On the south (400 m of the crossroad Hora Sfakion-Komitades) there is the old monastery of Panagia Thimiani whose church is dedicated to the birth of the Holly Mother. The monastery was first built in 1500, and in accordance to the tradition took its name because the icon of the Holly Mother was found under a thyme bush. The monastery became famous throughout Crete. The Church of Panagia Thymiani is the place where the revolution of 1821 begun, in the 29th of May 1821

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2.6 Dinsdag 18 April – Aghia Galini

Crete – Off the beaten track; blz. 91 13 spili – Monastery Preveli - Lefkogia Synoptics

Afstand : ... ... km of 5 ¼ uur Hoogte verschil: ... ... hm

The monastery of Preveli It stands 37 km south of Rethimnon, in an imposing landscape which is mentioned at the mid-19th century diary of Sir John Spratt (admiral of the British Royal Navy), as "one of the happiest places to withdraw from trials and responsibilities of life".

There are lots of legends concerning the foundation of the monastery, which is believed that started during the Venetian occupation of the island. A number of its monks activities made the monastery one of the richest of western Crete and due to its isolated position it played important role in Cretan revolts against the occupying forces.

The monastery consists of two separated blocks, "PISSO MONASTIRI" and "KATO MONASTIRI". Arriving from Rethimno we first meet Kato Monastiri with the church of "Agios Ioannis o Prodromos" today being isolated and after two kilometers to the south we meet Pisso Monastiri, most renowned to the visitors, dedicated to "Agios Ioannis o Theologos" inhabited by only one monk.

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The exisiting buildings are not the original ones, but what is left from the Turks distructions and the later modifications and extensions.

There are many valuable relics kept in the monastery such as:The icon of Christ "king of the kings" work of the painter Michail Prevelis (1750), The icon of "Agios Ioannis o Theologos" (13th century) The miraculous Crucifix (18th century) The splendid iconostasis and many others.

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2.7 Woensdag 19 April – naar Jean

2.8 Donderdag 20 April – Reisdag terug

Terugreis Heraklion – Brussel VEX 409 12:15 (GMT +3) 15:02 (GMT + 2) Pick-up Service

Documents

Reis 13/04/2000 – 20/04/2000Kreta 2000 17/02/2018 Kreta-April-2000.doc Page 4 of 22. 1.2 Rethymnon – Ρεθγμνον