On the coast, not far West from Chania is the small town of Kolymbari. At first sight it looks much like any of the other settlements along that stretch of the NW Coast of Crete – rather uninspiring to be honest, but fear not, it has hidden pleasures…
For those pining for the 5* holiday experience there is the Avra Imperial where you can laze by the glass-sided pool, complete with bars and restaurants…
A more authentic time can be had In the wonderful Argentina, a very Greek fish restaurant. It is famous for its lobster spaghetti (delicious but seriously rich with wine aged in brandy casks and a splash of cream for good measure) but everything is good – wonderful salads as well as seafood.
An alternative is “Tis Litsas ta Kamomata” a little taverna down the road in the village of Afrata. It has a lovely terrace and excellent food which manages to be traditional and original at the same time.
In case you feel guilty over too much self indulgence (and there is also a popular winery in Kolymbari called Karavitakis) there is also a Monastery with a pretty church and much serenity, not to mention the Orthodox Academy of Crete…
