23–30 Aug 2015
Europe/Athens timezone
Group photo: https://indico.cern.ch/event/344173/attachments/1146116/1643581/IMG_0602a.JPG

Region

Kolymbari


Crete is the biggest island in Greece and the fifth in the Mediteranean. It consists of four prefectures: Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklio and Lasithi. The OAC is located at Kolymbari, a small scenic village on the coast, situated at the inlet of the homonymous bay. Kolymbari is in the prefecture of Chania, about 22 km from the city of Chania.

Kolymbari is a waterfront village at the base of the Rodopou Peninsula with a long, pebble beach. Once a rural village with olive-trees and vineyards, today Kolymbari is a quiet, natural, holiday resort with a developing touristic village.

Kolymbari has several quality tavernas serving seafood and traditional food. You can try these special dishes in one of the downtown fish tavernas or at the waterfront next to the beach. There are few cafes and bars for a coffee or a drink. The village is served by a Post Office, the Bank of Chania, and several ATMs.

A short walk from downtown Kolymbari takes you to the 17th century Gonia Monastery, which is located 1 km to the north of the village and offers a magnificent view. The monastery was built as a fortress overlooking the bay and is surrounded by verdant vegetation. A center of resistance during the revolution of 1821, today it hosts an important collection of precious post-Byzantine icons, relics, and other rare religious treasures.

A short boat trip takes you to the north-eastern edge of the Rodopou Peninsula, where you can visit the ruins of the ancient town of Diktynna, the Gramvousa island with the Gramvousa castle at its top, and the beach Balos. (Balos can also be reached on foot from Kolymbari.) The nearby beaches of Falasarna and Balos are regarded as two of the purest beaches of Crete. The famous Elafonissi beach is within one hour driving distance from Kolymbari.

 

 

Other tourist information can be found at this web site and here.