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Rethymnon
Rethymnon is a hugely popular holiday resort in Crete and has a highly Cretan influence in it's flamboyant appearance, with a scenic historical town at it's centre. The old town is just that, old, its winding alleys overhung with pretty wooden flower-bedecked balconies flaunt historic Venetian and Turkish architectural influences. Fortunately a recent mad spate of tourist development has left the old town untouched, so it can now delight the many snap-happy visitors and serve as a bustling venue for tavernas, restaurants and souvenir shops. To the east is one of Crete's longest sandy beaches, which has become the target of developers and is lined with apartment blocks and hotels. Excursions are easily made to Heraklion, Hania or the monastery of Arkadhi.
The majority of shops are predominantly geared towards the tourists, offering gifts, souvenirs and local crafts. Cretan embroidery can be found at Haroula Spridaki, while various items carved from olive wood are at Olive Tree Wood. Palaiopoleiou offers genuine antiques and old textiles and those interested in modern ceramics and Greek pottery should stop at Omodamos. Self-caterers will find numerous general stores and mini supermarkets scattered about, and there is a daily market below the Porta Guora, as well as a bakery just behind the Rimóndi fountain.
Rethymnon holidays offer a variety of cuisine, including a choice of restaurants geared towards tourists in the inner harbour and some fish tavernas. However the Samaria taverna and O Zefyros are more reasonably priced and two of the best here. Better value can be found in the streets around the Rimóndi fountain where there are some old-fashioned cafes serving local fare including delicious helpings of traditional yoghurt and honey. These include Kyria Maria, Agrimia and Zanfoti Kafenío, all overlooking the fountain.
The nightlife in Rethymnon varies from vibrant bars and pubs packed with loud music and evening entertainment, to the relaxed beach bars by the Cretan shores. Fortezza Disco is the flashiest in town, along with other dance clubs like the Metropolis, NYC, Nitro and the Opera Club. A new younger bar scene has appeared above the inner harbour around the Platía Plastira, with music bars sporting outdoor terraces, such as Enzzo, Karma and Art.
There are a variety of beach activities and water sports available to visitors to the resort, in addition the daily boat excursions in Rethymnon are a recent treat, with boats taking tourists to the beautiful beaches at Bali or Marathi and including lunch at a local taverna with unlimited wine. Evening cruises are also a popular activity.
