Page 277 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Greek Islands

Well-preserved frescoes
in the Byzantine church
of Panagía Kerá, Kritsá

STAY

White River Cottages
more easily reached port of Achaian civilizations”. Once Fifteen stone cottages
Lato pros Kamara (today’s a flourishing city with villas, in an abandoned hamlet
Ágios Nikólaos). Perched on a temples, amphitheatres and have been transformed
saddle between two moun­ imposing buildings, the town into apartments with
tain peaks, the site offers fine today has an air of decline. minimalist decor.
views of Mirabéllo Bay. A The entrance to the old ⌂ Aspropótamos
paved road, with work shops harbour is guarded by the district, Makrýgialos
and houses clustered on the 13th­century Venetian Fort ∑ whiterivercottages.
right, climbs up to a central Kalés. West of the fortress is com
agora, or marketplace, where the former Muslim quarter, ¡¡¡
there is a cistern to collect where a restored 18th­century
rainwater and a shrine. On the mosque and elegant Ottoman Stella’s Traditional
north side of the agora is a fountain can be seen. Also in Apartments
staircase flanked by two this area, on Kougioumtzáki, These rustic yet
towers; to the south are a is the 14th­century church comfortable units
temple and a theatre. of Aféntis Christós. are set in lush terrace-
The small Archaeological gardens near the beach.
Panagía Kerá Museum displays local arti­ ⌂ Káto Zákros
" ⌂ Approach road to Kritsá facts that managed to survive ∑ stelapts.com
# 8:30am–3pm Tue–Sun marauders and archaeological
predators. The exhibits date ¡¡¡
Lato Etera from Minoan to Roman times
⌂ 4 km (2 miles) N of Kritsá and include larnakes (burial St Nicolas Bay Resort
# Unrestricted access caskets), pithoi (storage jars), Hotel and Villas
statues, bronze axes and Elegant luxury with
stone carvings. spacious standard
rooms, superior suites
z An almost unbroken line with private pools, and
of sandy beaches stretches
Ierápetra eastwards from Ierápetra, family villas. A spa
Ιεράπετρα overlooked by a plethora of completes the package.
hotels and restaurants. From ⌂ Nisí peninsula,
⌂ 33 km (20 miles) S Ierápetra’s harbour, daily boat
of Ágios Nikólaos @ 1.5 km (1 mile) N of
excursions (mid­May–late Ágios
On the southeast coast of October) run to the idyllic ∑ stnicolasbay.gr
Crete, Ierápetra is Europe’s white sands and juniper ¡¡¡
most southerly city. A settle­ forests of the uninhabited
ment since pre­Minoan times, Chrysí island, also known as Minos Beach
trade and cultural con nections Gaidouronísi. The island, a Art Hotel
with the Middle East and with protected nature reserve, has This seaside boutique
North Africa were a key reason only one bar and one taverna. hotel has whitewashed
for the city’s existence. Sir bungalows by the pool.
Arthur Evans declared it the Fort Kalés
“crossroads of Minoan and ⌂ Old port # Daily ¢ Main ⌂ Aktí Ilía Sotírhou,
public hols Ágios Nikólaos
∑ minosbeach.com
Archaeological Museum ¡¡¡
The charming, taverna- ⌂ Dimokratías 2 § 28420
lined harbour of the resort 28721 # 8am–3pm Tue–Sun
of Ágios Nikólaos ¢ Main public hols
277

276-277_EW_Greek_Island.indd 277 18/12/2018 15:45