Activities
- Panormos has a lot to show for a village of its size and is one of the few unspoiled beach towns on the northern coast. It retains an unhurried, authentic village feel and makes for a quieter alternative to the overcrowded scene immediately east of Rethymno and at nearby Bali. You’ll find a small harbor, a couple of Byzantine chapels, a post office, a few mini markets and shops, and the best of all in summer concerts and other events are held in a carob mill turned cultural center.
- The old carob-bean mill has been restored by Kynthia's owners. In summer, occasional music recitals and chamber concerts – from classical to Cretan, Spanish to Argentine – are arranged by the Epimenides Cultural Society, as well as street theatre performances. Also, the Panormos sandy beach is a 3-minute stroll away, with loungers and umbrellas to hire, and a slightly larger beach a little further, with a good beach cafe. The sea is shallow and crystal clear.
- Panormos Village is also a great base for exploring central and western Crete, with the main north-coast road just a few km away, easily reachable by bus.
- Visit Margarites a pottery-making village, north of the foothills of the Psiloritis mountain range, where you can buy anything from a tiny vase to one of the great “pithoi” or storage jars. Most of the potteries lie up the hill from the village in little stone-walled enclosures, each with a cylindrical kiln of plastered stone, crowned with a dome of firebricks. The deep-bellied “pithoi ” are direct descendants of the vessels made by the Minoans. In the village, itself are color-washed houses crowded along narrow streets, where each bend reveals a new differently colored perspective (sky-blue is most popular). There are handsome stone archways in the walls of the lanes and ancient frescoes in the church of Agios Ioannis Prodromos.
- We do offer some great Ceramic Workshops at Margarites Village.
- Visit the Arkadion Monastery, this is the most famous historical monastery in Crete, situated near Rethymnon in a very spectacular location. We do not know the exact date of its founding. Some say it was founded by the Byzantine emperor Arcadius in the 5th century AD; others say the founder was a certain monk Arcadius. The 14th century AD is the most likely date for its founding. The historical importance of Arkadi lies in the role it played in the Cretan War of Independence. When the revolution was declared, in 1866, all the leaders met at Arkadi which was chosen because of its strategic position. Ishmael Pasha sent a message to the monks with the bishop of Rethymnon that the revolutionary committee should leave or else the monastery would be destroyed. The head monk refused to obey. Later the Turks besieged the monastery where many children and women had also gathered. Soon the besieged realized that was little hope but they fought bravely. Some, in fact, blew themselves up with gunpowder to avoid captivity. 114 men and women were taken captives, 864 were killed and very few survived.
- Continuing east from Moni Arkadiou takes you to the archaeological site of Ancient Eleftherna. In Eleftherna, many inscriptions have been discovered, with a jural context on the relationship of artists with society. In the excavations, geometric, Classical, and Hellenistic idols and signs of the zodiac were also found. One of the most important artifacts in the upper part of the body of a statue made of limestone. This stature represents a dressed woman and is famous as “The lady of Eleftherna ”. It is a daedalic figure and reminds us of “The lady of Auxerre”. The lady of Auxerre is a small Cretan Statuette (0,65 meters) that represents a woman wearing a Cretan mantle. It is also made of limestone. It used to be exhibited in the small French town of Auxerre, but now it is a Museum of Louvre. Because of the similarity between the two statues, some scholars assume that “The lady of Auxerre” is from Eleftherna as well.
- Visit the nearby town of Rethymnon which is perhaps the prettiest of Crete’s Venetian cities, with a massive walled Fortezza full of crumbling storehouses and later Ottoman mosques. Its characterful tight-packed streets, lined with Turkish balconied houses and tourist paraphernalia, lead to a historic inner harbor, now disfigured by garish eateries. However, there are some delightful little restaurants and bars in the Old Quarter.
- Chania, maybe the prettiest town in Greece, is an hour to the west, and well worth a day trip for its sea walls, archaeological museum, covered food market, and romantic restaurants.
- Heraklion, Crete’s vibrant capital and home of its finest archaeological collection, and the Minoan palace at Knossos, imaginatively excavated by Sir Arthur Evans, are both 45 mins drive east; don’t miss them.
- The White Mountains are Crete’s most dramatic range very popular with hikers, birdwatchers, and botanists. Join them on a trek through the 16km-long well known Samaria Gorge, or maybe you don't like crowds, then joint quieter small gorges of Ayia Irini or Imbros (you’ll need to start early for any of these).
- On the south coast, you can explore the Preveli monastery and go for a swim at its idyllic, palm-shaded beach.
- Other beaches worth driving to are burgeoning Plakias, gorgeous Damnoni, nudist Ammoudi and hippy Matala, all on the south coast; and the endless open sands east of Georgioupolis on the north (a windsurfer’s dream).
- For more activities on Activities in Rethimno.
House Rules
- Check-in: 08.00 am - 14.30 pm
- Check out: 08.30 am - 12.00 pm
- Minimum Stay: 2-3 nights, depending on the season
- Payment Policy:
Credit card details (Visa or MasterCard) are required to charge the deposit amount of 30% in order to confirm reservation.
Deposit of 30% of Total will be charged by Villa Kynthia one month prior your arrival.
Balance amount is to be paid directly to Villa Kynthia at time of stay.
Visa and MasterCard and American Express are accepted by Vila Kynthia.
- Cancellation Policy:
Normally 4 weeks before arrival- full refund.
At this late time, the deposit is normally non-refundable but may be freely transferred to any future booking through Planet Holidays if government travel restrictions or property closure prevents your stay.
No show or early departure 100% of total
MHTE: 1041K134K0356700
How To Get There
Villa Kynthia is located at a small, beautiful Panormos Village in the region of Rethimno, Crete.
- By Air
From May through mid-October there are direct charter flights to Heraklion airport (62km from the village) and also to Chania airport (89 km). Tickets can be bought in advance for almost all flights via our partner website.
- By Sea
The journey is the thing". A superb way of enjoying the journey to Crete is to fly to Athens and take the ferry from Piraeus (Pireas) - the port serving Athens. A still-romantic way to travel by the overnight ferry from Piraeus to Chania-Souda Port (85km) or Heraklion Port (62km). Tickets can be bought in advance for all ferries via our partner website.
- By Car
If you want to explore the region while you're here, we recommend that you rent a car, other means of transport are limited and/or infrequent. We suggest our sister website Crete-Car-Rental.com, which offers competitive prices and you can collect your car at either airport.
- By Taxi
Book your taxi transfer online easily and safely from the airport or port to any location via our partner website.
- By Bus
There is also a regular bus service between Panormos, Chania, and Heraklion. ( there's a stop 2 mins' walk away, and buses come to buy at least hourly)
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through CreteTravel.com
Facilities
- Dining: An extensive buffet breakfast is served daily. The indoor cafe/bar area opens at certain hours for wine, ouzo, raki (Korina's own produce), and other drinks, plus a few mezedes on request. There is a great number of restaurants within walking distance in the village. One room (Rea) has a small kitchenette and a table for meals.
- Internet Access: There is free WiFi, and if you need it Korina will let you use her computer.
- Swimming Pool: There's a charming small pool (about 5 x 9m long - shallow point 0.80 m deep) with sun loungers.
- Spa Treatments: Not available
- Disabled Access: Not suitable
- Pets: Pets are allowed on request. No extra charges.
- Languages Spoken: Greek, English
- Environmental Policy: Towels and linen are changed only when you wish them to be (rooms are serviced daily)
- Parking: Parking is free right behind the house.
- Korina and Antonis sell their excellent wine and olive oil. The Kynthia V.Q.P.R.D. Peza Red Wine is made exclusively from Mandilari and Kotsifali local varieties, this wine expresses the Terroir of Peza Heraklion Crete, being full-bodied with a small degree of acidity and firm and ripe after-taste. Aging in French oak barrels for one year gives it a distinctive overtone. Organically cultivated at the privately-owned estate of Korinna Miliaraki and certified by DIO Greece, according to the 2092/91 E.U.Reg.