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The Area Some words and photographs about the area around your vacation surroundings. The photographs are from the specific areas that are described. The list is long. All the locations and resorts that are described here, are in reach in five to ten minutes. The Sea Summertime brings to mind the names of the many beaches in town: E.O.T., Almyros, Ammoudara, Havania, Ammos, Kitroplatia, Ammoudi. All have been awarded the Blue Flag status and extend from right inside of town to remote and magical places outside. 
“E.O.T.”: Available for your enjoyment here is the only mini-golf course in town, water sports, food services, snooker, ping-pong, a nearby football pitch and basketball court, an athletics course and a competition-sized swimming pool. “Amos”: Located in the heart of town, ideal for diving and watersports, it is also close to the central shopping areas. “Kitroplatia”: Another wonderful sandy beach in the center of town, surrounded by restaurants and hotels. “Ammoudi “: A small sandy beach right in town, fully organized, with sports facilities and food services. “Havania”: The coastal road to Elounda leads to this well-organized municipal beach, located one kilometre outside of the town, offering all desirable beach facilities. “Amoudara”: A small well-organized sandy beach, it is ideal for diving and water sports, and located next to restaurants and shops along the main road to Kalo Chorio. 
“Almyros”: On the southern side of town, two kilometres along the road to Kalo Chorio, next to a site of historical importance still dotted with the remains of the past, Almyros is one of the most significant seaside resorts in the area. The entire area is wooded with eucalyptus trees, reeds and rushes which grow in the source waters of the fresh water river which runs into the sea. The endless sandy beach of Almyros is magical and offers the visitor all the comforts and facilities expected of a fully organized beach resort  Diving 
The deep blue of the ocean beckons to you... Dive into an untouched world of wonder... Discover the awesome secrets of the deep... Entire civilizations have emerged, flourished and disappeared along the shores of our region... Welcome to a land whose ecosystems still remain unchanged... Nature  Aghios Nikolaos, located in a strategic position on the
road network of Crete, is the ideal starting point for daily excursions
in all directions of the island by car, bus or motorcycle.Some of the most memorable trips can be made on foot or by bicycle. A sunhat and sunglasses, the right shoes and some water are all that is needed to enjoy a walk in paradise. This area appears green even in Wintertime because of the olive trees, and in Springtime nature bursts through from the mountainsides to the coast filling the area with red poppies, white margaritas and other multi-coloured wild flowers. Glancing around one can see a wild olive tree, dictamus, narcissi, chrysanthemum, capers, cuclaminus, thyme, and wild orchids.    Katharo, 1150metre high. 
Cultural events  The cultural presentations of “Lato” are organized annually and include concerts of both traditional and non-traditional music, theatrical performances, talks, and technical and artistic exhibitions. These presentations take place at both the Rex and Cristina cinema theatres, but more particularly at the lakeside platform, which is the most charming spot in Aghios Nikolaos, located as it is in an extremely beautiful and natural environment. Events commence on December 6th, the feast day of Saint Nikolaos and continue until New Years Day when Santa Claus arrives from the sea. The most significant presentation in the springtime is the ceremony of Easter, with a fantastic celebration of the Resurrection of Christ and the burning of the effigy of Judas in the lake. Later on, the feast day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is celebrated by a typical Cretan feast, signalling the beginning of another great Summer. The Maritime Week, a festival of the sea that takes place bi-annually, provides original and impressive demonstrations of athleticism for both locals and visitor. The Universal Day of Tourism on September 27th is especially celebrated, with artistic and gastronomic surprises.  The town of Aghios Nikolaos  Aghios Nikolaos, with over forty years
of experience in the tourism industry, is an international and
cosmopolitan resort that welcomes thousands of visitors annually.The lake is its most charming feature. Legend suggests that Athena and Armetis bathed in its waters. This lake is connected to the sea by a straight channel, while its natural surroundings of red rock and trees attract the visitor magnetically. At a small open-air theatre by the lake, locals and visitors alike can enjoy interesting artistic and cultural presentations. A walk around the shops of Aghios Nikolaos is an enjoyable experience. In the many stores the visitor can find a wide selection of traditional Cretan artwork, copies of pieces from different archaeological museums, jewelry, and embroidery. There are also many examples of woven goods and Byzantine icons. There are bustling cafeterias, charming coffeehouses and taverns serving traditional Cretan “mesedes” or tidbits of local food.  Night Life in Aghios Nikolaos You can find innumerable opportunities for night-time entertainment at a variety of bars and discos. Visit the outdoor summer cinema ”Christina” where the surrounding walls are covered by honeysuckle, or find other places of entertainment where genuine Cretan feasts are always accompanied by local wine or strong raki. 
The village of Elounda  This is a world renowned tourism resort located to the north of Aghios Nikolaos, having an indented coastline, shaded beaches, crystal clear seas, and a tranquil and heavenly environment. It is 10km distance from Aghios Nikolaos, and the cutting along the side of the road affords you the opportunity to admire the spectacular view of Mirambello Gulf and Korfos. The village is built on the southern coast of the Gulf of Elounda, 1km east of the ancient settlement of Olounda, from which it has taken its name. This used to be the favored place of legendary figures from Minoan Crete and of historical figures of our times.  The museums Archaeological Museum The Archaeological Museum of Aghios Nikolaos is one of the most important in Crete, and has been in operation since 1969. It houses collections of very important archaeological finds from the whole of Eastern Crete, an area extending from Malia as far as Zakros. These are displayed in chronological order from the Neolithic period (5700- 2800 B.C.) to the end of Roman times (100B.C.-400A.D.). Its showcases are decorated with more than 1500 vases from the third millennium B.C., and copper finds (the most ancient found in Crete).  Folklore Museum of Aghios NikolaosA window onto the recent past of Crete opens up for the visitor at the Folklore Museum of Aghios Nikolaos. Established in 1985 by the Cultural Association of Eastern Crete, it is housed on the ground floor of the Port Authority building, one of the oldest buildings in town, which is located by the lake. There are many displays of traditional Cretan handcrafts, unique to the region such as textiles, woven goods and embroidery of intricate detail and Folklore Museum of Istron The Folklore Museum operates in the Istron area and offers a detailed exhibition of life in the past. It was built in 1999 by The Folklore Association. This museum declares a great love of and attention to the local popular culture. It is an important source of information of folklore and the history of the inhabitants of the Mirambello Gulf.  
«IRIS» Museum A protected neoclassical building from the end of the 19th century, which at that time was the home of merchants of “comestible” vegetative products from the region of Mirambello, houses the Museum IRIS. The people of Crete, with great awe and respect of the vegetative world that surrounded them, observed it, experimented with it, discovered its secret and utilized it for curing diseases, for decoration, for the dyeing of textiles, for the construction of useful objects and a source of inspiration in art. Besides plants played always an important role in all major event of life: birth, marriage, death and festivals, thus giving a way out for their metaphysical queries and aesthetic needs. Welcome to this marvelous journey to the colors of Crete, its scents and its tastes. Open from 9:00 - 16:00 (Thursday closed) Archaeological Sites Lato This area owes its name to the goddess Lito (or Lato) who was the mother of Apollo and Artemis. Its ruins have been preserved in very good condition, and date back from the 4th-2nd century B.C. and are evidence of the last habitation there, a settlement that seems to have been abandoned in stages as its inhabitants moved down towards the sea. Apart from its archaeological and historical interest, Lato is a place with a panoramic view of the whole region. Gazing over the entire area from the hills of Lato, visitors can understand why three thousand years ago the Dorian people chose to settle in this place.  Spinalonga  |
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