After the bad experiences in 2018, we flew to Crete again this year. To get straight to the point: it was probably (at least for the time being) the last time.

Unfortunately, our accommodation in Haus Dorothea did not work out, so we stayed in a hotel for the first time.

The hotel "Golden Beach" is located in Adelianos Kampos directly on the beach and we liked it a lot. Our room, equipped with air conditioning and fridge, was in the basement and had a small terrace. From there could we go straight to the pool or beach.

We had booked half board, so we were taken care of in the morning and in the evening. Both breakfast and dinner (unless we were in the restaurant with friends) were rich and tasty.

As in all the years before, we were out with our Jimny in the morning and have it in the afternoon spent by the pool. Swimming in the sea was hardly possible in the 3 weeks, since a stiff north breeze caused waves that caused the red flag to be hoisted. It didn't bother us, many other guests were very disappointed.

This wasn't our first time at the fortress, but somehow I always missed taking a few pictures. I've made up for that now.

The Fortezza of Rethymno (Greek Φορτέτζα του Ρεθύμνου) is a ruined fortress within the urban area of Rethymno on the north coast of the Greek Mediterranean island of Crete. It is one of the landmarks of the main town of Rethymno regional unit. The name Fortezza comes from the time of the rule of the Republic of Venice over Crete and means 'fortress' in Italian, the Greek equivalent for fortress is Frourio (φρούριο) or Kastro (κάστρο).

(Source: Wikipedia)

Plakias (Greek Πλακιάς) is a small but important tourist town on the south coast of the Greek island of Crete. It belongs to the Finikas district of the 2010 newly created municipality of Agios Vasilios in the south of the regional district of Rethymno. The number of permanent residents is about 325 (2011 census). In the 1961 census, Plakias was mentioned as the place of residence of only six fishermen's families.
Administratively, Plakias is listed as two places in the statistics: the western part with 143 inhabitants belongs to Sellia (Σελλιών Πλακιάς), the eastern part with 182 inhabitants to Myrthios (Μυρθιανός Πλακιάς)[1]. The place name Plakiás refers to the sandstone "slabs" (also known as natural cement) found in some parts of the bay above or below the water.

(Source: Wikipedia)

We go to Argiroupolis every holiday to buy some avocado products for my wife or friends at home.

Argiroupolis (Greek Αργυρούπολη) is a mountain village on the Greek Mediterranean island of Crete. It belongs as a local community to the municipality of Lappa in the municipality of Rethymno.

The name Argiroupolis means silver city (argyros άργυρος 'silver' and poli πόλη 'city'). The place is at an average altitude of 260 meters above sea level and has 403 inhabitants (as of 2011). According to the 1981 census, there were still 453 residents at that time. Argyroupoli was built on the territory of the ancient city of Lappa, as evidenced by finds in various parts of the village.

(Source: Wikipedia)

I've been flying to Crete since 1997 and always land in Iraklio, but I hadn't seen anything of the city itself. We changed that this year and visited Crete's capital. What can I say? In my opinion, the city is not suitable for vacationing. An industrial city that doesn't have much to offer the eye.

Iraklio (Greek Ηράκλειο [iˈrakliɔ], outdated also Iraklion, in the spelling Heraklion used by the city itself, ancient Greek Ἡράκλειον, Herakleion, in the Middle Ages Chandakas, in the time of Venetian rule Candia, afterwards Turkish Kandiye, modern Greek Μεγάλο Κ άστρο Megalo Kastro) is the largest city on the island and the seat of the administrative region of Crete. The name derives etymologically from the name of the hero Herakles (see history). In scientific literature (even in more recent texts) the name Hieraklion (derivable from Hieron) is also used.

The city is located roughly in the middle of the north coast of the island, which is 250 km long and up to 70 km wide. It is situated on a coastal plain in front of a fertile hill country directly on a bay of the Aegean, about four kilometers north of the ruins of the Minoan palace complex of Knossos. Crete and thus also Iraklio is a highly frequented tourist destination from April to October. The distance to the other cities of Crete is 130 km to Chania, Rethymno 75 km, Agios Nikolaos 60 km, Ierapetra 90 km and Sitia 120 km.

(Source: Wikipedia)

We always drive to the pottery village of Das Töpferdorf Margarites several times on vacation. In the taverna "Mantalos" we always become joyful greeted and very nicely and plentifully entertained. A very beautiful piece of earth.

Das Töpferdorf Margarites (Greek Μαργαρίτες [marɣaˈritɛs] (f. pl.)) is a traditional Cretan village in the regional unit of Rethymno, belonging to the municipality of Mylopotamos, known for its pottery. A lot of mass-produced goods are produced in the numerous potteries, but even more individual pottery art is produced. Just outside the village, a potter even makes the large ancient clay vessels (pithoi) based on the Minoan pattern.

At least as interesting are the four or five Byzantine chapels, some with frescoes, and some old buildings in the narrow streets of the village. On the main street is a Venetian mansion with an oil mill.

A narrow lane leads from the lower village square to a monastery that has been restored in recent years.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Rethymno (Greek Ρέθυμνο [ˈrɛθimnɔ], obsolete also Rethymnon) is a port city in the north of the Greek island of Crete. It is the third largest city on the island after Heraklion and Chania and, as a municipality of the same name (Δήμος Ρεθύμνης Dímos Rethýmnis), forms the center of the regional district of Rethymno.

In addition to Heraklion, Rethymno is one of the two locations of the University of Crete, the location of a state hospital and was also the port of call for ferries from Piraeus until October 2008.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Agia Irini (Greek Αγία Ειρήνη 'Saint Irene') is the name of a settlement in the municipality of Rethymno in the municipality of the same name in northern Crete. It is located at an altitude of 260 meters at the foot of Mount Vrysinas, around four kilometers south of the city center right next to a monastery of Saint Irene, after which the town is named. It was first mentioned in writing in 1545 by Francesco Barozzi. Agia Irini had a total of 75 inhabitants in 2011.

The Abbey of Saint Irene was destroyed during the uprisings against Ottoman rule in 1866 and has been derelict ever since; in 1989 it was restored and is now inhabited again. In 1995 the Europa Nostra prize for the preservation of cultural heritage of the European Union was awarded for the restoration. The nunnery houses a small ecclesiastical museum. Icons, textiles and handicrafts made by the nuns are also for sale.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Chora Sfakion (Greek Χώρα Σφακίων, also transliterated Chora Sphakion) is a coastal town in the south of the island of Crete with a small port on the Libyan Sea. It had 212 inhabitants in 2001 and is the main town of the historical region and today's municipality (Dimos) of Sfakia.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Bali (Greek Μπαλί is a seaside resort in the district of Geropotamos in the municipality of Mylopotamos on the north coast, about 50 km west of Heraklion and about 40 km east of Rethymno.

Originally a small fishing village, Bali today has many new hotels and guesthouses. The place also has a small port, near which there are also several taverns, where the fish caught by the fishermen from Bali are served.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Georgioupoli (Greek Γεωργιούπολη, high-level Georgioupolis, Γεωργιούπολις) is a place on the western north coast of Crete in the regional unit of Chania, about 22 km from Rethymno, 35 km from Chania and 100 km from Heraklion. The village of Georgioupoli had 936 inhabitants in 2011, the village itself 455.

Until 2010 Georgioupoli was also an independent municipality with about 2500 inhabitants. Enlarged by incorporations in 1997 and raised to the municipal level (dimos), on January 1, 2011 it became one of six municipal districts of the newly created municipality of Apokoronas.

Georgioupoli was founded in 1893 as Almiropolis and renamed Georgioupolis in 1899 in honor of the then High Commissioner of Crete George of Greece. Numerous eucalyptus trees were planted in the early 20th century to drain the original moorland. An impressive avenue of eucalyptus trees therefore welcomes the visitor today and characterizes the townscape.

The place is in the curve of a bay in front of a westward projecting peninsula in a river valley lined with eucalyptus trees. The beach of Georgioupolis consists mostly of fine sand, stretches 10 km to the east. About five kilometers inland is the only natural freshwater lake in Crete, Lake Kournas.

From Georgioupoli you can quickly reach the two larger cities of Chania and Rethymno. Vamos and Kalyves are also not far from the small town.

The place has a small fishing port, which is fed by the approximately one kilometer short river Almiros (Eng. 'the salty'). Turtles, among others, live in the water of the river. Georgioupolis is strongly characterized by package tourism. Numerous hotel complexes and an infrastructure dependent on tourism with shops, restaurants, real estate agencies and car rental companies were built both in the local area and to the east of it.

(Source: Wikipedia)

The Preveli Monastery (Greek Μονή Πρέβελη, Moni Preveli) is a monastery (Greek Μοναστήρι, Monastiri) in the south of the Greek Mediterranean island of Crete. It is located in the municipality of Agios Vasilios of the regional unit of Rethymno.

The Preveli Monastery is a religious center of the diocese of Lambi, Syvritos and Sfakia. It belongs to the semi-autonomous Church of Crete, subordinate to the Patriarch of Constantinople and associated with the Church of Greece since 1913. In addition to the Greek flag, the double-headed Byzantine eagle also flies on a golden background in the courtyard of the monastery complex. The commitment of the monks to the freedom and independence of the Greek inhabitants of Crete as well as to further schooling established the nationwide reputation of the monastery.

(Quelle: Wikipedia)

Agia Galini (Greek Αγία Γαλήνη) is a coastal town on the Gulf of Messara, 24 kilometers southeast of Spili on the Greek island of Crete. Together with the village of Xirokambos, it forms a local community in the municipality of Agios Vasilios.

Thanks to its picturesque location, Agia Galini developed from a small fishing village into a center of package tourism from the late 1970s and 1980s and has since had numerous hotels, guesthouses, taverns, bars and nightclubs as well as a campsite. As in many tourist centers, in Agia Galini you will find a so-called eating alley, in which one tavern is lined up after the other. The harbor square with its house facades staggered up the hillside, on the other hand, is considered one of the most beautiful in Greece. Agia Galini is also a convenient starting point for tours into the Cretan hinterland, for example to the mountain village of Zaros with the island's only trout farm, to the Rouvas Gorge above Zaros or the Amari Basin. In addition to the beach near the village, the nearby beaches of Agios Georgios and Agios Pavlos, which are best reached by excursion boats or rental car, are ideal for bathing vacationers.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Lake Potamon (Greek Λίμνη Ποταμών, Limni Potamon) is a reservoir near Rethymno. He ensures the water supply of the city of Rethymno and its surroundings.

It is the largest freshwater lake in Crete.

The lake is located about 14 km as the crow flies south-east of Rethymno near the villages of Prasses and Voleones at the exit of the fertile Amari Valley.

The lake has an area of 16 square kilometers, its maximum depth is 54 meters. The storage volume is 22.5 million cubic meters. The reservoir has a shore length of twelve kilometers.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Loutro (Greek Λουτρό) is a village in the municipality of Sfakia on the southwest coast of the island. Loutro belongs to Kinotita Anopoli.

Loutro is located between Chora Sfakion and Agia Roumeli at the foot of the White Mountains. It still has no road connection to this day. The Anendyk ferries, which bring tourists from the Samaria Gorge to the bus station in Chora Sfakion, run to the village regularly in summer, even several times a day in the high season. Taxi boats also operate from July to September to the nearby beaches of Glyka Nera to the east (1 hour walk) and Marmara (1.5 hour walk) to the west. Loutro can also be reached on foot via the European long-distance hiking trail E4. It takes 2 hours to hike to Chora Sfakion and 6 hours to Agia Roumeli. A kalderimi restored at the beginning of the millennium leads in serpentines to Anopoli and Kambia on the plateau of Anopoli at an altitude of almost 700 m (ascent approx. 2 hours, descent approx. 1.5 hours). However, in 2007 this was partially obstructed by fences and a shepherd's track and the connection to Kambia can no longer be found for non-locals. From Anopoli the further ascent to the Pachnes is possible.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Anogia (Greek Ανώγεια) is a municipality (Δήμος, Dimos) in the northeast of the Psiloritis massif in the regional unit of Rethymno, one of the 13 regions of Greece. The current municipality of Anogia is one of the few Greek municipalities that remained unchanged by the Kallikratis Law of 2010. The villages of Axos and Zoniana, which had been incorporated into Anogia in 1997, had already been spun off in 2006: Axos came to the municipality of Kouloukonas, and Zoniana became an independent rural municipality. Kouloukonas and Zoniana were incorporated into the new municipality of Mylopotamos in 2010. According to the 2011 census, a total of 2,379 permanent residents lived in the municipality at that time, 2,319 of them in Anogia itself and 60 in the hamlet of Sisarcha.

The municipality of Anogia is located on the eastern border of the regional unit of Rethymno with the regional unit of Heraklion. It borders on the north-west with the municipality of Mylopotamos, on the north-east with Malevizi, on the south with Festos and on the south-east with Gortyna.

Anogia is 54 kilometers from the regional capital of Rethymno and lies south-east on the Rethymno - Panormo - Perama - Anogia road. The distance to the island's capital, Heraklion, is 36 kilometers. The road to Heraklion leads through Sklavokambos and Tylisos. In the south of the municipal area is the Nida plateau with the Idaean Cave. Due to the remote location, local customs, costumes and a strong dialect have been preserved.

(Source: Wikipedia)