| Paleochora, 'The Bride of The Libyan Sea', as it | | | | sheltered. The water is very clean, crystal clear |
| has been called, is a small, typically Greek town | | | | and there are no dangerous currents so bathing is |
| (or perhaps large village) sitting on the south-west | | | | safe for all. In fact Paleochora is an ideal |
| coast of the island of Crete. Well, 'sitting' on the | | | | destination for an old-fashioned family holiday. |
| coast is a little deceptive. The town is built on a | | | | The headland of the peninsular is dominated by an |
| small peninsular which juts out into the sea and is | | | | 12th century Venetian Fort which is well worth |
| a perfect holiday destination for many people 'in | | | | exploring - unfortunately mostly just the walls |
| the know'. About 80% of tourists who visit the | | | | remain these days, but there has ben a lot of |
| town return again and again. Many of them will | | | | archaeological work carried out to show the |
| not recommend Paleochora to anyone but trusted | | | | structures which once stood here. Besides that, |
| friends as they want to keep it from becoming | | | | the views back to the town with the mountains |
| too popular and developed! | | | | behind is wonderful. Keep your eyes peeled! You |
| Getting around in Paleochora is easy. It takes just | | | | may discover a centuries old Venetian coin on the |
| about 5 minutes to walk from the west cost to | | | | ground or even an old cannonball! |
| the east coast and all of the town lies between | | | | At night the town transforms itself into a low-key |
| the two so you are never far away from | | | | but interesting resort. The main street which runs |
| anywhere. Someone once described it as like | | | | through the cent re of the town and the east |
| being on a tiny private Greek island as it is easy | | | | beach promenade are closed to traffic after 7pm |
| to forget that you are connected to a large land | | | | and restaurants and bars put their tables out into |
| mass. | | | | the roads. Walking around town hearing many |
| That land mass is useful, mind you. The large | | | | different languages spoken with people enjoying |
| mountains protect Paleochora from the worst | | | | themselves is a real pleasure. There is no drunken |
| weather. Many times it can be pouring with rain | | | | behavior, no louts just nice good people all having |
| on the north coast and sunny and dry in | | | | a pleasant evening. This is a complete escape |
| Paleochora! The town boasts two 'Blue Flag' | | | | from the brash, 'in-your-face' resorts which a lot |
| beaches, a huge sandy beach (which has a | | | | of small towns have grown in to. Here you can |
| semi-official nudist section) on the west side and a | | | | experience Greece as it was 25 or 30 years ago |
| pebble beach on the east side. This is useful as, | | | | (even the prices here are the lowest on Crete). |
| on windy days, there is always a beach which is | | | | |