C i t t à   s u l l ' i s o l a   d i   C r e t a   Spili è una cittadina counting only approx. 700 inhabitants, appartiene alla prefettura di  Rethymnon sull'isola di  Crète, da cui dista circa 30 km in direzione sud, at 421 meters above sea level. La costa meridionale si trova al di là della catena montuosa costiera. I dintorni si distinguono per i paesaggi particolarmente belli. Il monte Vorisis (878 metri) svetta su Spili, rinomata per essere molto pittoresca.   Alla città non manca nulla di ciò che rende completa una piccola città cretese: negozi, supermercati, ufficio postale, banche, scuole elementari e medie, chiese, hairdresser, pharmacy, a Medical Center ed anche una sede vescovile. During the summer half-year, the suburban bus from Rethymnon to Aghia Galini (24 kms) touches Spili 5 times per day, and during the winter half-year 4 times.   In the town center, lifestyle is expressively relaxed. A Venetian style fountain with 25 water-spitting lionheads is the town's landmark, and there are even some old houses which originally remain from the Venetian era. The name Spili comes from a cave in the neighbouring mountain (Greek "spileon" = cave) which is not developed for tourism but anyway allows exploration on one's own account.   The closer surroundings suit excellently for hikes. One can find wild flowers and orchids, and frequently eagles and vultures can be seen. As a basis for more extended excursions, Spili suits perfectly as well. In eastward direction via Gherakari, one can enter the Amari Valley with it's uncomparable landscape between the foothills of the Ida massif, with the Antonios cave near Patsos, and with Minoan excavation sites at Thronos and Apodoulou.   Northwards, the town of Rethymnon offers vibrant tourism and a 17 kms long beach where all kinds of watersports are on offer. Westwards via Frati, one can pass the Kourtaliotiko Gorge towards the south coast. The palm beach of Preveli is located there, and so are the villages of  Plakias, Rodakino and Frangokastello and between them several other beaches of different types.   Furthermore, one should not miss to visit the small port town of Hora Sfakion, and the abandoned village of Aradena above. In southward direction there are the beaches of Kerames and Akoumia which have very fine sand but still not too many visitors, and the small town of Aghia Galini with it's picturesque fishing-port. The excavation sites of Festos (Phaistos) and Gortys are not far away, and the caves by the beach of Matala are worth a side-trip as well.   Testo: Ingo H. Dietrich Fotografie: Ingo H. Dietrich & Holger Nordhoff Traduzione: Vittorio Blase Siete il visitatore no. #  1 1 4 8 4   View the guestbook Sign the guestbook Recommend this site to a friend Raccomandazioni: Encyclopedia of Crete Apartments & Studios Car Rental Taverna Private property for sale Boarding House Dentist The Internet Catalog of Crete Houses - Apartments - Villas - Building Plots Optician Dentures, dental crowns, pontics & prosthesis Holiday Villas Transfers / Excursions Brand Cucumbers Children's Wear

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