Rethymno is located on the northwestern coast of the Greek island of Crete, west of Heraklion and east of Chania. Like numbers? Here's the latitude and longitude: 24° 32' 3" E. Latitude: 35° 12' 52" N.
Why You Should Go:
Less hectic than Heraklion, with better shopping than Chania, this is a Cretan small city that grows on you.
If you're traveling to Greece during Carnival Season, Rethymno or Rethimno puts on a memorable one. They also have a summer-long cultural festival.
Where to Stay and Dine:
Find a room in the old Venetian-Turkish section for an evocative stay close to several days' worth of dining and shopping. The Hotel Ideon is conveniently located near both the harbor and the old town. For the more adventurous, try Olga's Pension, an unusual collection of rooms above the old shoemaker's street.
For dining, Taverna Gounas is renowned for its live Cretan music and traditional atmosphere, though the food may be a bit too traditional for some - simple boiled lamb and boiled chicken are the house specialties; Taverna Castelo, in an old Venetian building without a roof, provides starlit fine dining which may make you completely rethink Greek cuisine. But the restaurant choices are abundant, and it's hard to stay faithful to the idea of returning to that cute taverna you noticed in the afternoon once dinner time arrives.
Don't Miss Seeing:
The Venetian fortress provides a long, cool place to walk along the seawall, especially at sunset when you'll find yourself accompanied by many Greeks - some even jogging. Along the shore, there are traditional Greek tavernas which are favored by the locals.
Travel Tip:
A taxi to or from Heraklion will cost you about Euro 40; if you don't mind dragging your own luggage, regular buses travel several times a day between the two cities for just a few Euro per person.
What to Buy in Rethymno
Rethymno has a number of fun small shops, including a good carved olive wood shop and numerous shops offering door amulets and ship models made of sterling silver. The Rethymno Museum has a better-than-average gift shop featuring reproductions, including some small statues.
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