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CLIMATE
Spring
During spring the weather is wonderful. It is the period where all the flowers blossom and the nature
is full of colors. The temperature is between 14 and 24 degrees of Celsius. Summertime
During summer, the sky remains permanently blue and the sun shines bright. Rain,
is almost non-existent and the temperature is between
23 and 35 Celsius degrees.
Autumn
Autumn is the ideal period for vacations. Not just because
the weather is wonderful and rain is rare,
but also because the temperature is a little bit lower
than during summer (which means that is between
18 and 27 Celsius degrees) making the days more pleasant
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COASTS
AND BEACHES
Chania is surrounded by wonderful beaches.The visitors
of Villa Belle Helene apart from the beach of Gerani
(which is in front of the villa), can also visit either the other beautiful beaches of the north or the exotic
beaches of the southwest coastline. |
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the north beaches, such as Nea Hora, Agioi Apostoloi, Kalamaki, Agia Marina or Platanias. In the west coastline
the beaches have unforgettable beauty and the visitor can enjoy one of the most picturesque sunsets.
Falassarna, 25' minutes away from the villa, was voted as the most beautiful beach of Greece for 2002. Besides, in the
west coastline is situated the breathtaking Balos. One can go to Balos either with a Jeep or SUV, or by boat.
In addition, Elafonisi, 50' minutes away, is an indescribable beach. There, someone can find the unique and rare
pink and white sand. In the south, the landscape is virgin and wild. Here, the most famous beaches are:
Sougia (1 hour and 25'' minutes away), Palaiohora (1 hour and 15'' minutes away), Sfakia
(1 hour and 45'' minutes away), and Agia Roumeli (access only with boat). Highly recommended is a trip to the famous “Kedrodasos” situated in the east side of Elafonissi, which combines the unique beauty of a cedar forest and a picturesque beach. |
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SIGHTS
The old city of Chania is
a museum by itself. Historical discoveries of the
city are dated from the 2nd or even the 3rd millennium
b.C.. The city is full of evidences that different
cultures and nationalities had been occupied it. Thus,
in the city you will find monuments from the Roman,
Byzantine, Arabic, Venetian and Turkish era. In addition,
interesting museums, temples and other recent attractions
also exist. Mark them and do not omit to visit some
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Byzantine |
| The Byzantine Wall |
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Venetian
The Renier Virgin
Santa Maria de Miracoli Monastery
The Franciscan Monastery of San Salvatore
Eleftherios Venizelos Square
The Gate of the Renier Mansion
The Light-House
"Megalo Neorio" ( The
Great Shipyard )
The Venician Shipyards (Neoria)
Fort Firca
The Venician Walls
Gate and Bulwark Subbionara
Bulwark of Santa Lucia
The Venician Harbour of Chania
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Turkish
The Kioutsouk Hassan Mosque or Giali Tzamissi
The Minaret of Achmet Aga
Turkish Bath (Hamam) on Halidhon str.
The Minaret of St. Nicholas in Splantzia
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Museums
Archeological Museum of Chania
Historical Archive of Crete
Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Collection
Naval Museum
War Museum of Chania
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Churches
The Church of St. Rocco
The Dominican Monastery of St. Nicholas
The Franciscan Monastery of San Salvatore
The Cathedral of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary
(Trimartiri)
The Church of Saint Mary Magdalen (Agia Magthalini)
The Catholic Church of Chania
The Church of the Prophet Elias (Prophitis Ilias)
The Church of Saint Mathew (Agios Mathaios)
The Church of St. George Koumbelis (Agios Georgios Koumbelis
)
The Church of the Annunciation (Evangelistria)
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Recent
The Court House
Eleftherios Venizelos' House
The Cathedral of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary
(Trimartiri)
Leather St. Stores
Beach of Chania
The Municipal Gallery
Philological Society "Chrisostomos"
The Garden Clock-Tower
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| ALTERNATIVE
TOURISM
Apart from the classical
ways of entertainment, Chania also offers an
abundance of alternative ways of amusement for
its visitors. Thus, beyond the museums and the
monuments of the city somebody also worth to
show interest for the following alternatives:
Athletic Associations
& Clubs
For those who love sports,
various associations and clubs exist, that can
help you either explore the beauties of the
island or simply practice your favourite sport.
In Villa Belle Helene you can find information
as well as advertising booklets for the majority
of the athletic associations and clubs of alternative
tourism in Chania:
Mountaineering Association
Club of Motorcycle and Tourism
Nautical Club of Chania
Flying Club
Tennis Club
National Shooting Ground of Chania
Cultural events
and festivals
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From April to October, several cultural events and festivals are organised in Chania, many of which are worth to visit:
April: "Hohlidovradia" in the Vamos village (festival for the cooking of snails)
Easter: The impressive festival of the stock-farmers in the village Asi Gonia
The festival at the cave of Agia Sofia
May: The international athletic meeting "Venizelia"
July: The festival of Prophet Elias in the Sougia
August: The cultural events organized by the Municipality of Chania
The festival "Metamorfosis" in Georgioupoli
The feast of wine in Kasteli
The festival of Virgin Mary in the monastery of Hrysoskalitisa in Elafonisi
The cultural event "Musical August" in Paliohora
September: The festival of Agios Mamas in the Gialos village
October: The festival of the chestnut in the village of Elos |
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Gorges and Tours in Nature
Chania is the mother of gorges and nature is too generous with it. For this reason do not hesitate to visit some of the following places:
· The longer and breathtaking gorge of Europe, the gorge of Samaria, with total length 18 km. Samaria constitutes a protected National Park.
· The gorge of Agia Eirini, with total length 12 km
· The gorge of Imbros in Sfakia
· The Topoliano gorge in Topolia
· The upland of Omalos that is surrounded by the mountain chain of Leuka Ori
· The rocky peninsula of Gramvoussa
· The Kourna's Lake
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Amusement-entertainment
In Chania you will also find:
· Coaches for romantic tours in the old city
· Small boats in the old harbour of Chania for exploration of the beaches around the island
· The water park "Limnoupolis" which is situated in Perivolia area and is always ready to offer you unique moments of entetainment.
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