72km (45 miles) E of Chania; 78km (50 miles) W of Iraklion
Rethymnon, one of the four provinces of Crete, is a town that has
retained its traditional look.You can confirm this as you stroll through its old, narrow lanes with the wooden balconies,

the tall minarets and the Venetian mansions.
Rethymnon is divided into the old and the new town. The new one is built in a comfortable spacious and planned manner and with plenty of green spots, but as usual, the best strolls are made in the old town's little alleys.

The city-limits are defined by Fortetza the well-preserved, huge Venetian fortress which imposingly o

verlooks the city.

Right opposite is the endless sandy beach of Rethymnon which starts from the town and stretches all the way to the holiday centres. Among the district's most known beaches are Preveli and Plakias with other smaller ones nearby. To reach Preveli we pass the impressive Kourtaliotiko Faragi, a gorge that starts from the village of Koxare and continues for about 2 km. Little churches have found shelter by its sides. The shaded narrow paths have been fertile ground for many legends, told by the elders in the area. The gorge is crossed by the River Kourtaliotis, whic

h ends at Preveli beach with its very exotic scenery. A minor deviation before we come to the beach will take us to the Monastery of Preveli perched on a bare hill. The monastery which only allows men to enter is dedicated to Agios loarmis the Theologian. About 2 km after the monastery the road ends at a sea-stones and clean waters. Caiques depart from Plakia, making excursions to Frangokastello, Preveli, Agia Gallini and Hora of Sfalkia. A road which leads to the Libyan coast crosses the green village of Spyli on the mountainside of Psiloritis. It continues its way down to Agia Gallini, a former fishing village which has been transform

ed into a tourist resort, thanks to its fantastic beaches.