Georgioupolis

This charming village with its long stretch of sandy beach was, until recent times, a sleepy little fishing village in an out-of-the-way place. Over the past quarter of a century it has slowly grown into a popular holiday resort, with a wide range of tavernas, shops, cafes, boutiques and other amenities.

Beautiful countryside surrounds the village, an attraction for keen walkers, whilst the splendid sandy beach and relaxed seaside atmosphere make it ideal for beach lovers.

There's an excellent bus service in all directions so it's possible to go fairly far afield: Heraklion is a 90 minute journey, for example.

Some distance outside the village hotels sit alongside the sweeping sandy beach, however, a part of Old Georgioupolis remains very much in place. The eucalyptus tree-lined square is where villagers have met each other throughout the years to exchange news and have a gossip over a coffee or ouzo in the kafenions.

Lake Kournas, the only freshwater lake on Crete, is a haven for wildlife. The lake used to be called 'Korisia' after ancient 'Korion', a city in the area which had a Temple to Athena. Although it tends to be a popular area for holidaymakers it it is still a lovely place to spend some time.