In part two of mine and my friend Diana Abu-Zuaiter’s adventures in Crete takes us to the west of the island and some more luxury, and sandy beach immersion. On this leg we visted Rethymno and Chania from our Cretan home, Mythos Palace Resort & Spa. Come Experience the magic only Crete offers girl tourists seeking solitude and suntans.
Diana and Ruxandra in Crete
Leaving Crete’s Capital, Heraklion, Diana and I ventured along the picturesque coast road toward Georgioupolis, a beautiful landscape where mountains meet the plains, rivers and the sea join,and where the wild nature of Crete can be absorbed. It’s hard to relate in words, just how beautiful this Island is. We can show a bit via our unlimited capacity to take selfies though, some of the places and experiences we shared. Starting with our hosts, the people at Mythos Palace certainly exemplified that things the locals call “filoxenia,” or a love for visitors.
I was particularly taken by one lady from housekeeping, who never ceased in an endless pursuit to align perfectly everything in our rooms. A family resort, Mythos Palace has an endless array of activities. Diana and I were constantly rounded up to participate in football or sessions of aqua-gym at the main pool.
A twilight view of our little pools at Mythos
Turning to our sightseeing and sun-soaking activities, the day we arrived we hit the resort’s beach. Dinner and a dip in our private pool (as above) to wash away jet lag remnants, and we were up early next morning headed by bus to lovely Rethymno, a few kilometers distant. Blue flag beaches there, and some of the most photogenic and charming architecture we’ve ever seen, played out well with a bit of shop hopping and a super lunch at a magnificent restaurant called Thalassografia. (below) Almost as impressive as the restaurant’s ice cream, the fortress at Rethymno is spectacular too. (It was very hot that day, so) Anyway, the view from the restaurant was priceless.
The fabulous view from Thalassografia
Back at Mythos for a bit of late beachcombing, a fabulous Cretan culinary feast, we turned in early after a full day. It’s amazing how tired one can get from coastline bus riding, touristy and cliché wandering about, and gawking in awe at the richness of the place. But dawn is always anticipated when more seaside treasures lay ahead, and boy is Chania a treasure. But the farther west of this paradise is best left to a part III, don’t you think? We’ll share that Venetian wonder next, but for now remember Rethymno and a fantastic resort hideaway in between.
Here in Rethymno next to the fortress – Next we look west to Chania
