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| Lasithi |
| Luxury and ruggedness |
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| The luxury resorts of Elounda bay, like Elounda Gulf Villas, set the tone for Crete's easternmost province. |
Lasithi prefecture, the easternmost region of Crete, could be an island separate from Crete, probably right in the middle of the Cyclades. Dry and windswept, Lasithi looks nothing like its lush siblings to the west, except for a few valleys covered with olive orchards on the north-south roads. Even the people in Lasithi are a bit different than the rest of the Cretans, a bit "softer around the edges" than their fierce brethren from Chania and Heraklion.
Lasithi's capital, Agios Nikolaos (Saint Nicholas), or just Agios, as the locals call it, is built around a lagoon, that is believed to be the mouth of a volcano, and faces the dramatic heights of the mountain range across the bay to the east, that extends all the way to the east coast of the island.
To the north, Elounda in Mirabello bay is home to Greece's, and some of the whole Mediterannean's, best luxury resort hotels, that also feature four or five of the country's top-rated gourmet restaurants.
To the west, the Lasithi Plateau is a true highlight of the whole island. For a true taste of old Crete in a beautiful physical setting, dotted with windmills and small vegetable patches, the Plateau cannot be beat.
The beaches of the south coast are some of the best of the whole island, extending from Myrtos all the way to Makrygialos. That's almost 65 kilometers (40 miles) of beautiful, grey sand beaches, some of them crowded, some less so, and some completely isolated, even in the busy summer months.
Finally, on the east coast, barren hills, red clay earth, sandy beaches and the lovely little village of Zakros, a sun-baked fishing hamlet with the most incredible aura, one of the most important Minoan ruins sites on the island, and a great beach, all in one.
Lasithi is much quieter than the rest of Crete; even the Elounda resorts are self-contained affairs for peace-and-quiet-seeking high income holiday makers. The region is less densely populated that the three prefectures to the west, the terrain is more rugged, and the infrastructure is not as developed.
If Chania is nature lovers' paradise, with its lush mountains and gorges, Lasithi is more of a zen kind of place, with its vast, barren, and windswept open spaces and otherworldly aura. Even the light is different in Lasithi: more bright but in a way that almost dissolves the edges off shapes and leaves you almost in a dreamy state. Quite unique, this Lasithi. |
| The Highlights |
- The bay of Elounda and its luxury resort hotels.
- The Lasithi Plateau, for an interesting look at rural Crete in a beautiful natural setting.
- Zakros, for nature, aura, and calm.
- The southern beachfront.
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| We Recommend |
- Hike across Lasithi Plateau.
- Make reservations and eat at any of the great restaurants in Elounda, that are presented here.
- Drive the winding, but quite wide and safe, road from Agios Nikolaos to Sitia, and check out the azur waters and beautiful beaches at the bottom of the cliffs.
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| We Do Not Recommend |
- Vai, because of crowds, crass commercialism, and a not-that-great a natural setting.
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| Useful Information |
| The country code for Greece is 0030 (from the US and Canada: 01130). |
| Tourist Info Office |
| On the marina of Agios Nikolaos (28410 82384-5 and 28410 82386). |
| Police Station |
| There are police stations in every major and secondary town, usually at the central square or on main street. For emergencies, dial 100. |
| Hospital |
| The four general hospitals are in Agios Nikolaos (Knossou Street, 28410 25221-8), in Ierapetra (28420 26766), in Sitia (28430 24311-4), and in Neapoli (28410 33333). |
| Pharmacy |
| There are pharmacies in Agios Nikolaos and in all major towns and resort areas. All pharmacies carry signs with a list of pharmacies open in the off hours. |
| Port Authority |
| The port authority offices in Agios Nikolaos (28410 22312), Ierapetra (28420 22294), and Sitia (28430 22310) are located at the respective harborfronts. |
| Tourist Agency |
| In Agios Nikolaos: Alma Tours (28410 24207-8, www.almatours.gr) with an office in Elounda, and Nostos Tours (28410, www.dilos.com/ trvl/nostos). In Istron: MinosTours (28410 61168, www.smart-holidays.com.gr). In Sitia: Porto Belis (28430 22370, email pbelis@sit.forthnet.gr). |
| Foreign Press Outlet |
| Lasithi is a tourist area and there are foreign press outlets everywhere, including most hotels and many mini markets. |
| Internet Cafe |
| These days there seem to be Internet cafes everywhere, and certainly in all major towns and some secondary ones. Many travel agencies offer Internet access, and not only to their clients. |
| Car Rental |
| There are car rental offices in all major towns and resort areas. Travel agencies and most hotels also arrange for car, motorbike and moped rentals. Budget about € 30 per day for a small car, less if you rent for longer periods. |
| Bank |
| There are branches of all major Greek banks in Agios Nikolaos, Ierapetra, and Sitia, while many smaller towns and resort areas, like Elounda, also host bank branches. They handle all major transactions, such as money transfers, cash advances on credit cards, and money wires. Banking hours are Monday through Thursday 8am-2pm and Friday 8 am-2.30 pm. |
| ATM |
| Most bank branches have full service ATMs at their storefronts. There are stand alone money machines at almost every town in Lasithi, and in the lobby of most luxury hotels in Elounda. |
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