This summer Alexandra and I spent 2 weeks in southern Crete - in Matala. Crete as a whole is very interesting: there are (of course) many archeological sites, one of them in the vicinity of Matala: Phaistos. As examples of the scenic beauties let us mention the Lassithi plateau with its wind mills and the birth cave of Zeus in the east of the island and the Samaria gorge, a popular hiking trail in the west. There are high mountains, too: we have even climbed the Psiloritis (at a previous visit in 1997).
Since we have known the island from previous visits, we intended to use this vacation for pure relaxation - swimming (besides the village beach there is, not too far from Matala, the most beautiful beach of the Mediterranean: the 'red beach' - accessible after hiking about 100 meters of altitude, walking for 20 minutes), reading, eating and drinking. We didn't quite make it - one excursion took us to the island of Santorin.
Matala is not very big, and there are several small pensions almost right in the center, close to the beach, where one can get inexpensive accommodation. These are not fit for too big demands, but the rooms are all equipped with shower and toilet, and the hosts usually are very nice. If anyone should be interested: here is a selected overview.
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Lonely Planet |
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Marco PoloBaedeker |
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ADACMerian live! |
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Wanderungen in Kreta West. Rother WanderführerWanderungen in Kreta Ost |
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