Ferienhaus SMARAGDA (580322)

THE HOUSE: This, early twenties, medium sized country house has been recently restored with personal air and character. It has a floor area of 56m2, and can accommodate up to 4 persons. It is laid out in one level, with its back façade (where the main entrance gate) towards the old market street and two other facades looking towards east and the sea. The side façade opens to a courtyard of 17m2. An exterior stone stair leads to a 40m2 top view terrace with splendid views to the sea. The house comprises two main rooms, separate kitchen and a bathroom (with shower). There is one double bedroom and one large, oblong sitting room with fireplace and an eating corner, furnished with a stylish couch that easily converts into a double bed. The kitchen is furnished with latest models of machinery and tasteful utensils. The house is furnished with selected pieces from Neoclassical Greece and paintings of Greek artists. The house is ideal for people looking for privacy and deep relaxation, while being close to some of the most beautiful sand beaches of Eastern Crete. THE VILLAGE The semi mountainous landscape of this village is different from the sea landscape and worth visiting. Its formation is very picturesque combining olive trees groves, sculptured rock formations and spectacular views to the sea. The village, a very old settlement from Venetian Times, is located at 600m altitude and has been famous from ancient times for its healthy, dry climate. As the village is built against a steep slope, car access is restricted. The house is surrounded by walkways, while the main road and parking area are at a distance of 50 m. SIGHT SEEING This part of Crete has some of the most renowned monuments Archaeological site of ZAKROS (the fourth palatine site of Minoan Crete). Descend to the seashore picturesque village of NeW Zakros, for swimming and eating in isolation. Minoan city is LATO, flourished during classical and Hellenistic periods, is located on the outskirts of Agios Nicolaos, where you can admire the model of planning of an archaic Greek city, also recognizable in Roman cities, and depicted, as prevailing idea in cities through ages, even close to modern times (ex. Regency Street, London as an attractive city spine with monuments). GOURNIA archaeological site, excavated recently (1900) also in a beautiful landscape. On the way to Lato, stop at the Byzantine Church of PANAGIA KERA, all frescoed 13th- 14th century in pre renaissance style, before it flourished in the West with the fall of Constantinople. MONI TOPLOU, frescoed 14th c. medieval monastery and important castle stronghold during Venetian times. Swim in famous VAI BAY with fine sand and Palm trees and visit Itanos, the last eastern city of Minoan times. PALAIKASTRO, a Minoan village and a hellenistic sanctuary, devoted to Zeus Diktaius. It has an impressive site by the seashore. The PSYCHRO or DIKTAION CAVE, an impressive archaeological site. A Minoan to Archaic period sanctuary of Zeus. SPINALOGA cASTLE fortified island (from Venetian times, now a museum area). ARCHAEOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS of Agios Nikolaos and Ierapetra. CHRYSSI ISLAND-Ierapetra port:-One day excursion to the tiny island famous for its sand beaches. SWIMMING Sandy beaches extend either to the northeast (the gulf of Mirabello), or to the southeast (Libyan Sea), reachable within 20 min. At Kalo Chorio (ancient site “Istron”) is found one of the most famous beaches of Crete with azure, shallow waters, “Voulisma”, while east of Ierapetra extend kilometers of sandy beaches and small sea gulfs, marked with BLUE FLAG, among which the best are AGIA GALLINI (next is Kakkos Bay Hotel, laid out in another beautiful gulf and open to the public),AGIA FOTIA, FERMA, KOUTSOUNARI etc. EATING OUT A. IN THE VILLAGE MANOLI’ s Tavern - on the main upper main road of the village - local, simple, inexpensive food. DRYES Tavern - 11/2 km east of Anatoli, on the road to Kalamafka - The tavern is set against a rock with water spring, huge trees and panoramic view to Ierapetra offers excellent Cretan food. B. AROUND KALAMAFKA Village - 5 km-a village known for its taverns with good, inexpensive food. VILLA MALLES– in the village MALLES west of ANATOLI - a new Coffee-Restaurant House with very good light Cretan cuisine. IERAPETRA CITY: Water front laid out as an esplanade with bars, restaurants, coffee houses, pizza, fish tavernas etc In the area of the old fortress I distinguish the Napoleon tavern with certified Cretan Cuisine and Gorgona tavern with fresh seafood. FOOD SHOPPING IN THE CITY OF IERAPETRA: Fresh fish, meat and fruits and vegetables are abundant in the central streets of the city. There are a lot of supermarkets including German and French firms-LIDLE, CARREFOURE-MARINOPOYLOS etc. as well as Greek chains-CHALKIADAKIS brings very good Greek products at a little higher price but it is worthy- and the COOPERATION Supermarket, from local producers, with good products and prices. Small local shops also flourish, especially for fish, meat and vegetables. They are very good and worth trying. There is also the Fish Market being provisioned by the local fishermen. KORONATO Pastry Shop: For marvelous Greek and Eastern sweets, ice creams, cakes, cookies etc. located behind the Archaeological Collection – Museum.