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Holiday Rentals in Chania - Find Holiday Homes & Villas for Rent in Chania, Europe:
Chania lies on the north west coast of Crete and is a delightful old Venetian town once the capital of Crete. It is a town that conjures up both traditional and modern images reflected in its endless range of shops selling everything from textiles, jewellery, ceramics to herbs and olive oil. It is an interesting town and you will never tire of wandering the narrow back streets of the older part. Venetian architecture is in evidence with tall narrow houses and colourful wood blinds everywhere..
The main streets on the edge of the older part are, however, very different. They are lined with modern shops selling local produce and a range of international products making it a focal area for shopping for the whole of western Crete. A visit to the indoor food market (Agora) is a must for purchasing local products.
Chania is graced with charm and elegance, including its picturesque harbour which without doubt is an idyllic spot to sit relaxing during the day or in the evening to watch, the changing shades of orange as the sun slips over the horizon.
Harbourside restaurants offer a variety of food from traditional Greek including fish and sea food to international cuisine.
At the far end of the harbour is the Firkas fort which was a fortress during the Venetian occupation. On 1st December 1913 the Greek flag was raised there in celebration of the reunification of Crete with Greece. Today the fort is home to the Naval Museum. Opposite the Firkas fort, stands the magnificent Venetian lighthouse. The lighthouse was built in the 16 century and later restored by the Egyptians.
Chania was also the Turkish capital on Crete, and its churches were converted to mosques. The Turks were expelled in 1898 when Prince George became the High Commissioner for Crete. His regency was short lived, for soon after, Crete became part of the Greek state. In World War II, Chania sustained severe damage throughout the city.Thankfully some buildings were undamaged and remain today for the tourist to admire and enjoy.
The nearest beach is only a ten minute walk from the harbour. Further west and east the coastline is broken by many magnificent beaches and typical Cretan villages both along the coast and short distances inland such as Kalathas, Stilos, Kalives and Almirida. This area gets covered in a mass of flowers during the springtime. This is a perfect holiday spot if you want access to good beaches, and yet to be within easy reach of Chania town.
There are many flights from across Europe into Chania or Herakion Airports.
The appeal and the variety in the town itself, is of enough interest to provide an enjoyable holiday, but based here opens a range of further possibilities. Excursions such as a visit to Knossos, a walk down Samaria Gorge, and a boat trip to Elafonissi in the south are just a few of the many options available. For the independent minded, book a car for a few days and explore the fertile mountain ranges and hidden villages to experience traditional Cretan life.