PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO ILLNESS THE PENTHOUSE IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR SWAPS UNTIL JULY 3 2021. HOWEVER I HAVE LOTS OF POINTS AND I'M INTERESTED IN HOLIDAYS IN EUROPE in 2020/2021.
This penthouse apartment is in the tallest building at the highest point of Chania Town and overlooks the Old Venetian Harbour. It is a ten minute walk downhill to the Chania Courthouse Square (Platea Elefteria) where the fashionable meet for coffee and cocktails, and yet sheep are grazing in the hilly fields behind.
The front door of IS NOT AVAILABLE apartment opens onto a vast living space with a wall of windows overlooking the Cretan Sea and the city. Directly below us, on the banks of the old riverbed, is the picturesque village of old Lentariana where people still cultivate their market gardens.
To your left, a mile away, is Venetian Harbour of Chania, the lighthouse and Kri-Kri Island.
Below Lentariana, on the coastal road from the airport to Chania, is historic Chalepa. You can see the blue dome of its church and the many imposing mansions and consular villas gathered around the Venezelos residence. The marble palace of Prince George, the former governor of the island is next door. It is almost a ruin now, but the colours and the original character are still there.
The villagers, who are living in the large, old family houses opposite this apartment block, still have year-round beautiful balcony gardens and from these they greet their neighbours and the men in vans delivering fresh fish, vegetables and bread. This area is a rich mix, and a good place to witness the resilience and kindness of the Greeks.
Maximum Adults: 6. Minimum stay 4 nights
LET’S TAKE A LOOK INSIDE.
The decor is modern minimalist. There are two seating areas and two dining areas in the main living room. One wall has a long panoramic windows, overlooking Chalepa and the sea beyond. In this room there’s a medium-sized terrace overlooking Chania. The room is air-conditioned and there is a glassed-in fireplace. The lighting is hidden and diffused.
In winter we use the apartment to house art exhibitions and the walls are always graced with the works of some fine local artists. The room is L-shaped and the well-equipped kitchen is in the left hand corner and overlooks a large terrace which faces the White Mountains. That terrace has a small tiled pool with a waterfall, a barbecue and a garden with trees.
The first bedroom has a king-size bed with a next-door bathroom. It also has a wrap-around terrace with amazing mountain, sea and city views. The second bedroom has twin beds, an en-suite bathroom and a smaller terrace with a stationary exercise bike. The third bedroom can also be used as a study and has a desk and a double convertible couch. All three bedrooms have generous wardrobe space.
NOTE ABOUT THE BEDS.
We have tried to make the apartment as family friendly as possible and the use of available beds as flexible as we can. The bedroom with the en suite bathroom has two small double beds which can be used as a very large double bed or 2 single adult beds or two double beds for children sharing.
There is also a double convertible bed in the 3rd bedroom which is furnished as a study but can easily be converted back to a bedroom.
The convertible couch in the living room has a simple pull-out drawer which turns it into a double bed.
On arrival we will ask guests paying with points to pay 60 euros for final cleaning and laundry and 40 euros per week as a contribution towards electricity and other utilities.
Local Information & Nearby
There is a supermarket five minutes walk away. And Lentariana high street has a large supermarket, a butcher, a delicatessen, a hardware store and everything you would expect in a high street. But no chain stores. The fish shop will cook your fish over a grill and pack it for you to collect at your given time. And it is open on Sundays.
The apartment is within easy walking distance, downhill, into Chania.
There is a bus stop close by which will take you to and from Chania. The bus stops opposite the Agora.
A taxi back to the apartment from the Agora is 3 euros 60 cents: about the same as two bus tickets back.
The main bus station to places over most of western Crete is a 5 minute walk from the Agora.
If you want to go on private excursions we can arrange a private car and an English speaking driver for half day excursions (20 euros + petrol) or full day excursions 40 euros + petrol.
DISTANCES FROM APARTMENT BY CAR:
Airport 20 mins
Venetian harbour 10 mins
Saturday market 10 mins
Marathi Beach 20 mins
Akrotiri monesteries 30 mins
Stavros beach 30 mins
Falassana beach 50 mins
Therisso 45 mins
Aptera 20 mins
Koulouris Rock Pool
The nearest place to swim is KOULOURIS a five minute drive away. Koulouris is a breathtakingly beautiful natural pool formed by rocks. The cliffs above protect it from view and the locals have kept it for themselves.
Thalassino Ageri
THALASSINO AGERI is a fish taverna in Tampakaria sited amongst abandoned tanneries. The tables are on the rocks, practically in the water. Go there to watch the sun setting over Chania. Five minutes drive away.
Agia Kiriaki
AGIAS KIRIAKIS is a tiny church by a stony beach and a small boat harbour. And a taverna by the water which is serene even in August. Except during Panigyri (festival).
Venezelos Residence and Museum
VENEZELOS RESIDENCE AND MUSEUM is the restored ancestral home of Crete’s most revered politician. Next door is the CRETAN PALACE. They are in a charming square which has Dagkli, the best coffee shop in Chania.
OXO NOU arts cafe
OXO NOU ARTS CAFE is on the rocks, close to Agias Kiriakis, reached by a steep flight of stairs from the road. It stages theater and concerts. And you can learn to dance the Tango.
A WALK INTO CHANIA FROM CHALEPA along the coastal path. Start the walk at Thalassino Ageri. When you hit the main road ,stay on the footpath beside the sea until you come to a crossroads with a large sculpture of the winged Icarus on your right. Walk past Icarus along the coastal path, into Koum Kapi beach which is lined with coffee shops. The waters here are shallow and safe. From there you are five minutes away from the old town. It is about a 30 minute stroll.
