8th International Conference on New Frontiers in Physics (ICNFP 2019)

Places and Events of Interest

Places of interest Suggested restaurants in Herakleion Suggested restaurants in Chania   What to see in the area Samaria gorge: This is a very nice whole day hike in the Samaria Gorge. You have to take the bus from Chania to Omalos (the entrance of the Gorge). You should be there at 8:00 at the latest. The gorge takes 6-8 hours to cross (leasurely). You end up at the Village of Aghia Roumeli where you have to take the boat (last one around 16:00, check it out) to Sfakia, and then the bus to Chania. Its really a full day trip but worth the trouble. Loutro: A nice little village by the sea in the south coast between Aghia Roumeli and Sfakia. Accessible only by boat or walking (difficult path). Falassarna: The closest super-beach to Kolymbari, 30 minutes drive to the west. Site of an ancient Dorian city. The little restaurant of Capetan Nikolas in the Falassarna port, is a must! "Tigani" or "Balos" is one of the best beaches in Crete (other ones being eg Fallassarna and Elafonissos). It is at the bottom of the Gramvoussa peninsula, the western of Cretan peninsulas. From the village of Kaliviani 7 Kms of dirt road plus two Kms of a path bring you to this beach. Also reachable by boat day trips from Kastelli and Chania. Chryssoskalitissa - Elafonisos: Chisoskalitisa is a nice little monastery, worth a stop on the way to Elafonissos, one of the two best beaches in Crete. Its specialty is the rose hue of its sand. Chania: The main city of the west, that has restored nicely the old town and port. It is around 30 Kms east of Kolymbari. Certainly the best city in Crete , it merits a visit. Rethymnon: A little city west of Chania and East of Heraklion is the second nicest city in Crete, with a nice old city and a small Venitian port. Monasteries of Gouvernetou and Aghia Triada: Two nice old monsteries in the Souda peninsula, meriting a visit. From the Goubernetou Monastery, there is a path that leads to the sea, making a nice two hour hike (one way). Aghia Triada produces top quality olive oil. Palaiochora: An interesting area in the south west.

Cultural and religious events in the region:

• The city of Chania offers a great number of cultural sightseings and musea: http://www.chaniatourism.com/
• Christian orthodox service in the 17th century monastery Gonia every day at ca. 5:30 - 6:30 (it is in 5 min walking distance from OAC). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gonia_Monastery
• Service in the old (dating from the Middle Ages) synagogue of Chania on Fridays at around 20:00 : http://www.etz-hayyim-hania.org/