Spili, central Crete

RSituated some 30km South of the town of Rethymno, and approximately in the middle of the island of Crete, Spili has everything for the visitor who wants to experience ''natural Crete''. Mount Vorizi which hovers over the town is impressive, but wait until you walk up the side streets of this village to be really impressed. The cobbled streets and flowering shrubs are a photographers dream. In the centre of the village is a Venetian fountain with a long row of 19 stone lions heads splashing welcome cool water into the trough below. Above this starts the climb through the beautifully quaint village streets with their flowered balconies, arches, and cobbles.

Spili is on the main bus route between the north and south of the island so there are several buses a day. In the daytime activity is centred around the many cafes and tavernas dotted along the main street, and is one of the ''must see'' parts of the area for tourism. In the evenings you can relax, smug, knowing that you have chosen this village to stay in, and chosen well.

This is walking and cycling country, with many different local routes to see and enjoy. Spili being 450 metres above sea level offers the advantage of cooler evenings, most welcome during the height of summer. The days are hot but the evenings are pure delight, just watching the local activity and the sun going down. Bicycle hire is available from Heracles Pension, situation on the right as you near the centre of the town coming from Rethymno.

Spili has a special attraction those seeking the raw natural beauty of the rugged countryside which has inspired artists, painters and photographers alike throughout the ages. In late January, after a relatively short mild winter, spring bursts in to life with a spectacular display of wild flowers. Red poppies and mustard yellow flowers carpet the olive groves; on uncultivated ground wild anemone, tulips and delicate orchids bloom.

Accommodation in available for those wishing to stay here which in includes Costas Inn, Heracles Pension or at the nightclub Rastoni (which is perched on the hill to the north above Spili).
There are "cash point machines" which dispenses cash in Euros using Cirrus, Maestro, Mastercard, Visa and all the major credit cards

Estimated journey time from the airports

Heraklion - 110 km 1hr 40 min
Chania - 110 km 1hr 40 min