Holidays in Hania: Delicate and beautiful.

Also known as 'Chania', Hania is the largest city in the western part of Crete and often considered the most beautiful. It's entangled labyrinth of Venetian and Turkish buildings boast a particularly delicate approach to Greek life, the town surrounds a small harbour that encompasses vibrant markets and squares, packed with city life along with holiday makers. The people are proud of their city's holiday status, and enjoy making it a very pleasant place for tourists to visit on their holidays. This attractive holiday location has been rising in popularity for many years but has evaded the typical 'package tour' crowds. It is slightly more off the beaten track than most Greek holiday destinations and therefore provides peace and quiet for it's many holiday makers year round.

Holidays in Hania: Perfect Skiing

This beautiful holiday destination is situated on the top of Mount Pelion at around 2100 metres altitude, creating a somewhat unusual backdrop for your holidays. It provides stunning views of the entire peninsula, including the pine forest by which it is surrounded. Because of it's altitude it is somewhat cooler in the summer than most Greek holiday islands, perfect for those that enjoy the culture and beautiful scenery but prefer the shade, whilst they enjoy their holidays. However, the resort tends to come alive in the winter when it is covered by a thick duvet of crunchy white snow, and the skiers descend upon the area for the slightly more unusual ski holiday. only 2 km from the centre of Hania there is the famous Agriolefkes, which provides some of the best skiing in all of Greece. The hotels here are usually open year round because there is no 'Holiday season' as such, so any time is the perfect time to visit Hania. Many of them are locally run and of very good quality and very hospitable .

Holidays in Hania: Getting there

Because of it's remote and tranquil setting Hania is somewhat more difficult to reach than other Greek island holiday destinations, do not however, let this put you off. The transfers are simple and often in places which are interesting to spend a few hours at the start or the end of your holiday exploring. It is possible to fly to Athens or Thessaloniki airport, Flights to which last around four hours. It is then possible to get a ferry boat from both of these locations into Crete and to hire a car to reach Hania. It is often said that hiring a car is the best way to explore during a holiday in Hania because of the many surrounding sites that are well worth visiting the ancient cities, beaches, port and the ancient lighthouse.

Holidays in Hania: Aside from the Skiing

This wonderful city is filled with holiday possibilities, many of them are much more cultural and more suited towards couples rather than young families and those looking for a holiday packed with activities and nightlife. Quaint craft shops fill the gaps left by the restaurants that provide very fine dining with local cuisine. The maze of twisting lanes are packed with Tavernas, cafes and local shops for you to peruse whilst enjoying your holidays. For the avid culture and view seeker, the holiday really begins here, in the backstreets. These ancient alleyways run to beautiful scenes that could be taken straight out of picture books and holiday brochures. The overhanging wooden balconies, lavished with delicate stone working lead through to beautiful Orthodox, white churches; Perfect for hours of meandering with the camera.

The busiest and perhaps most interesting section of the town is the port, where there are bars and restaurants that run from the main hotel section, where many a wonderful evening can be spend gazing dreamily out to sea over a glass of local Greek wine.