While staying on the eastern part of the island, one might not realize, how utterly different the opposite, the West Side of this island looks. In fact you could almost be on a different island altogether: beautiful, wild and rugged landscape, snowcapped mountains, lushly and green sloping down to the sea, even the local stories and legends are different here.

Nestled amongst aromatic orange groves you'll find the small village of Fodele. Famous as the birthplace of "El Greco" the painter, the quaint village center remains cool in the shade of it's surrounding trees and gurgling stream.

Discover the peace and tranquility as you pay your respects to the tragic heroes from the 2nd World War at the immaculately kept Commonwealth War Cemetery with its spectacular views over the Bay of Souda.

Further west lies Chania, Crete's second largest city, once the capital of the young Cretan State before the unification with the mainland. This "Little Venice of Crete" still holds a wealth of Italian architecture. Get in touch with the orient as you browse through the cross-shaped indoor market, called Agora, with its vibrant array of local produce - ideal source for some unusual presents and souvenirs. "Leather Street" is a great place to look for those leather bargains, bags, belts, or made to measure shoes. Have a Turkish (though called Greek here) mocha at the old and authentic Venetian harbourside and lose your bearings in exploratory bliss, as possible only on Crete, the crossroads of all Mediterranean civilizations.

Finally a visit to Rethymnon will allow you to shop for antiques and nik-naks in the narrow streets of the Old Town. Gaze up at the Turkish minarets, amble along the Venetian port down to the fortress dominating the town and cast your eyes along the golden sandy beach stretching into the distance.

You'll never believe the island could have such contrasting sights.