Anna

Elafonisi (Island of Deer) is like paradise on earth, and posessess a wonderful beach with pink coral sand and crystalline waters, a small islet connected to the rest of Crete by a shallow reef that can be crossed when the sea is calm. This islet is lying on the south-west corner of Crete, the journey itself is amazing, with a narrow tunnel and stunning wild Cretan scenery. Beware in high season, it can get very busy, but is so large, there is always a peaceful spot to be found. There is an excellent taverna at the beginning of the sand dunes

Frangokastelo to see the old fortress - or rather its surviving walls, followed by a must-do trip up to Anopolis - the village high above Chora Sfakia. Close to the beginning of the village on the left  is the Anopolis bakery - for some of the best sfakian pies and the chance to buy the delicious local sweet rusks, honey and other baked goods. Sit outside and have a mountainscape view and an elliniko (coffee).

Excavated in the year 1900 by an English archaeologist by the name of Sir Arthur Evans, this is a most impressive palace, and we recommend that you hire a
guide in order to benefit from their wealth of knowledge. This makes a great day out for all of the family.

The original capital of the island (since 1971 that honour has been passed onto Heraklion), Chania is one of the prettiest towns in the whole of Greece  - perhaps on a par with Monemvasia, Nafplion and Corfu town. The city is reputed to be the oldest city in the world, and boasts the mix and match of Venetian and Turkish influences and architecture.

This breath-taking natural lake is the only one in Crete, home to some of Crete's interesting birds and other wildlife and the brilliant aquamarine waters are a wonderful backdrop for a spot of lunch. Afterwards, you can rent pedaloes or a small boat for half an hour and row yourself around the lake, and work up an appetite for supper!

Now called Agia Lake it is actually an old reservoir and has walking paths around it and a couple of cafes. Ornothologists may spot the glossy ibis, the crane, the white stork and a variety of egrets and herons, as well as warblers and wagtails. For the dedicated bird-spotters Crete is one of the last strongholds in Europe of the Lammergeier, or Bearded Vulture – with a wingspan of almost 3 metres. There are 9 to 10 pairs on the island and they frequent higher altitudes.

From May to October, you can take daily cruises from Kissamos port (42 km west of Chania), to Gramvousa and Balos leaving in the morning and returning in the evening. Gramvousa (also called Tigani peninsula) has a castle on top of the island built by the Venetians to protect Crete from a Turkish occupation. It was one of the last unconquered bastions and it was the first area of Crete to be liberated from the Turks in 1825. 3000 Cretan rebels were planning operations from Gramvousa. During this period of turmoil, the residents of the island started looting boats passing through, which gained the island its pirate reputation! The Gramvousa/Balos region is a protected biotope. There are 400 different plants on Gramvousa, 26 of them endemic to Crete. The Anthemis Glaberrima (a type of daisy), the Allium Platakisi (a wild onion) and the Silene Litegripetala are found only in this area and are protected species. In the shallow parts of the sea, the Mediterranean plant Posidonia Oceanica thrives, providing shelter for marine life. 98 bird species have been reported in the area. 20 of them are protected and 14 of them are threatened species (like the vulture Europe Gypaetusbarbatus). The Mediterranean seal (Monachus Monachus) and the Caretta Caretta turtle find shelter in this area. Also, a herd of wild donkeys lives on the peninsula!

Only approached by boat from Hora Sfakia in the south, this amazing tiny village has a simplicity of lifestyle and an incredible beauty untouched by the outside world. It is a town consisting of three rows of white-washed, blue-roofed hotels, restaurants and homes built around the edge of a beautiful bay. There are no tides, but simply long hot days of water, swimming and kayaking. There are no cars or motorcycles there, only boats that peacefully come and go from the little town.

On the way from Chania to the beach of Elafonissi via Drapanias there is a sign stating "Wine museum". The Pnevmatikaks Winery is a delightful wine tasting venue, a  family business that grows grapes and olives. You can taste all their produce: different wines including a wine called Romeiko, produced the way it was done in antiquity. The Romeiko has a taste similar to a nice sherry and is 14.5 proof.  Recommended products from here are the olive oil and Raki (tastes similar to Grappa). If you purchase wine and/or oil the bottles are packed on site in such a way that they arrive safely home.

It is recommended to take a local guide with you, but no trip to Crete is complete until you walk along the deepest gorge in Europe, the Samaria Gorge.

All sorts of watersports available in this part of Crete Including Scuba diving,wind surfing, parascending, water skiing, kayaking, jet skiing, Rib inflatable trips and hire. surfing, fishing trips etc. Ask your representative for details.

Visit the Gramvousa peninsula and Balos bay at the far West tip of Crete. Daily boat trips from Kissamos-Kastelli

Freshwater lake near Georgiopoli. Traditional tavernas on the shore.

Ancient Aptera near Megalo Horafia is a very interesting site with fantastic views and lots of wild flowers in spring and early summer open 08.00 - 15.00 closed Mondays

The water park Limnoupolis  at Varipetro is just 20 minutes from the house

The Manousakis Winery is the culmination of the dream and passion of founder Theodore Manousakis. Ted, as he is more frequently called, was born in Vatolakkos in 1943, and spent his early childhood years in the village until the age of 11. For reasons much beyond his control and much too complex for a young boy to understand, he left his home to find a better future in the far away “Promised Land”, America. Following his university education in the U.S., he entered business and was successful in a number of business endeavours including industrial security, real estate development, and hotels. Meanwhile, he assimilated in the great melting pot of the world, America, and nearly forgot his native language and Cretan traditions. Yet during the years away from his native village he always yearned to return home and find his roots; if not permanently, certainly more than as a mere visitor. Wine was a way of life in the village for as long as he could remember from his boyhood years. What a way to pay tribute to and honour the Cretan traditions and way of life, he thought. And, what a wonderful and civilized way to bring people together to enjoy the simple joys of life! The combination of nostalgia or “nostos”, as the ancient Greeks made reference, along with the perfect soil, sun, and weather conditions of Crete were the driving forces behind our first vineyards in the foothills above Vatolakkos. For Ted, the Manousakis Winery represents his roots; his yearning to return, his tradition, his heritage, and, above all, his family. Our logo with the three flowers called “Manousakia” in the Cretan dialect, (from which our name is derived), represents his three daughters. It is only fitting that the inspiration of this symbol is a blending of the beauty and exquisite fragrance of nature and the warmth and comfort of family! Ted Manousakis has his permanent home in Washington, D.C., but the winery remains a family-run business. His youngest daughter, Alexandra, moved to Chania in 2007 following studies at New York University, and now manages the Manousakis Winery. - See more at: http://nostoswines.com