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.

First to the extraordinary Monastery of Arkadi, a symbol of Cretan independence. A guided tour will unravel its horrific history, under the Turkish occupation, where monks and villages alike blew themselves up rather than live under foreign rule.

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, as it is possible only on Crete, the crossroads of all Mediterranean civilizations.

A visit to Rethymnon will allow you to look for out antiques and nik-naks in the narrow streets of the Old Town. Gaze up at the Turkish minarets, amble along the Venetian port , the fortress that dominates 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.