Mietwagenrundreise "Entdecke die Wiege der Antike - Westkreta"

About the destination: Heraklion is the capital of Crete and often serves as the starting point for holiday visitors eager to explore the island. With a population of about 130,000, it ranks as the fifth largest city in Greece. The city bears the marks of various influences from the Venetians, Saracens, and Greeks. History is very much alive in Heraklion, as it is in most Greek cities. Throughout the old part of the city, visitors can stroll along the ancient Venetian walls that converge at a bastion known as Koules Fortress, which dominates the city's old harbor. The Venetians began constructing the city walls in 1462, and it took them over a century to complete. The walls stretch about 4 km in length, forming a triangular shape with seven bastions, and they have become one of the city's iconic features. The central square, surrounded by shops, cafes, and restaurants, is highlighted by the Lions Fountain, built by a Venetian governor in the 17th century. The Archaeological Museum in Heraklion is impressive and is the pride and joy of the city. The exhibits are comprehensive and well-organized, covering all aspects of life in Crete from prehistory to the Roman period in a series of spacious galleries. The Palace at Knossos is the second most popular tourist site in all of Greece, second only to the Acropolis. The site is in remarkable condition and offers much to see. It is also set in a beautiful location with stunning views of the countryside. Heraklion offers a wide range of historic and archaeological attractions, including its world-famous museum and the nearby site of Knossos, the heart of the ancient Minoan civilization. The city's shoreline, Amoudara, features a three-kilometer stretch of sandy beach, numerous cafes, bars, and hotels, and is home to Technopolis, a modern multiplex cinema and open-air theater. The most beautiful beaches outside the city can be found in Kartero and Malia.

About the destination: Lappa is a former municipality in the regional unit of Rethymno, Crete, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform, it has been part of the municipality of Rethymno, as a municipal unit. The municipal unit has an area of 51.132 km² and a population of 2,216. The seat of the former municipality was in Episkopi.

About the destination: Chania, on the northwest coast of Crete, is a compact, walkable city where Venetian elegance, Ottoman heritage, and traditional Cretan life come together. Its centerpiece is the Old Town, a maze of narrow alleyways lined with pastel-colored mansions, flower-filled balconies, and small artisan workshops. The picturesque Venetian Harbor, with its 16th-century lighthouse and former arsenals, is ideal for a leisurely sunset stroll followed by dinner at a waterfront taverna. Beyond the harbor, Chania’s neighborhoods each have a distinct character. The former Jewish quarter, Evraiki, is home to boutique hotels and quiet cafés, while Splantzia offers a more local feel, with shaded squares, traditional kafeneia, and historic churches standing beside old mosques. Museums such as the Maritime Museum of Crete and the Archaeological Museum shed light on the island’s long and turbulent history, from Minoan civilization to World War II. Chania is also an excellent base for exploring some of Crete’s most striking landscapes. Day trips can take you to the pink-tinged sands of Elafonisi, the dramatic Samaria Gorge, or the turquoise waters of Balos Lagoon. Closer to town, there are several easy-to-reach beaches such as Agii Apostoli and Marathi, where calm, shallow waters are perfect for families. Food is another highlight of any stay in Chania. Local tavernas showcase Cretan cuisine at its best, with extra-virgin olive oil, fresh seafood, wild greens, and cheeses like graviera and mizithra. Be sure to try dakos (Cretan barley rusk salad), slow-cooked lamb, and a glass of raki shared with welcoming locals. Whether you’re wandering backstreets, relaxing by the sea, or heading into the mountains, Chania offers a rich mix of culture, nature, and authentic island charm.

About the destination: Paleochora is a small town in the Chania regional unit of Greece. It is located 77 km south of Chania, on the southwest coast of Crete, and occupies a small peninsula 400 m wide and 700 m long. The town stretches along 11 km of coastline on the Libyan Sea. It is the seat of the municipality of Kantanos–Selino, and its population was 1,675 at the 2011 census.

About the destination: Kournas is a mountain village in the municipality of Apokoronas, Chania, on the Greek island of Crete. It has a population of about 500 residents. It is located at an altitude of 200 meters, southeast of the mountain called Dafnomadara. Kournas is a relatively large village perched on a hill overlooking Lake Kournas.

About the destination: Rethymno is a city of approximately 40,000 people in Greece, the capital of Rethymno regional unit on the island of Crete, a former Latin Catholic bishopric as Retimo(–Ario) and former Latin titular see. Rethymno was originally built during the Minoan civilization (ancient Rhithymna and Arsinoe). The city was prominent enough to mint its own coins and maintain urban growth. One of these coins is today depicted as the crest of the town: two dolphins in a circle. This region as a whole is rich with ancient history, most notably through the Minoan civilisation centred at Knossos east of Rethymno.Rethymno itself began a period of growth when the Venetian conquerors of the island decided to put an intermediate commercial station between Heraklion and Chania, acquiring its own bishop and nobility in the process. Today's old town (palia poli) was almost entirely built by the Republic of Venice. It is one of the best-preserved old towns in Crete. From circa 1250 the city was the seat of the Latin Diocese of Retimo, which was renamed Retimo–Ario after the absorption in 1551 of the Diocese of Ario and as suppressed only after the Turkish conquest.

About the destination: Heraklion is the capital of Crete and often serves as the starting point for holiday visitors eager to explore the island. With a population of about 130,000, it ranks as the fifth largest city in Greece. The city bears the marks of various influences from the Venetians, Saracens, and Greeks. History is very much alive in Heraklion, as it is in most Greek cities. Throughout the old part of the city, visitors can stroll along the ancient Venetian walls that converge at a bastion known as Koules Fortress, which dominates the city's old harbor. The Venetians began constructing the city walls in 1462, and it took them over a century to complete. The walls stretch about 4 km in length, forming a triangular shape with seven bastions, and they have become one of the city's iconic features. The central square, surrounded by shops, cafes, and restaurants, is highlighted by the Lions Fountain, built by a Venetian governor in the 17th century. The Archaeological Museum in Heraklion is impressive and is the pride and joy of the city. The exhibits are comprehensive and well-organized, covering all aspects of life in Crete from prehistory to the Roman period in a series of spacious galleries. The Palace at Knossos is the second most popular tourist site in all of Greece, second only to the Acropolis. The site is in remarkable condition and offers much to see. It is also set in a beautiful location with stunning views of the countryside. Heraklion offers a wide range of historic and archaeological attractions, including its world-famous museum and the nearby site of Knossos, the heart of the ancient Minoan civilization. The city's shoreline, Amoudara, features a three-kilometer stretch of sandy beach, numerous cafes, bars, and hotels, and is home to Technopolis, a modern multiplex cinema and open-air theater. The most beautiful beaches outside the city can be found in Kartero and Malia.