Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Eleonas Cottages
COTTAGES $$$
( 6976670002, 28940 312389;
www.eleonas.gr
;
Zaros; studio/cottage incl breakfast from €85/
98; )
This is an attractive mountain retreat set among the olive groves in a ter-
raced hillside overlooking a valley. Smartly appointed units have cooking facilities and
owners can arrange a slew of activities - horse riding, archery, mountain bikes and
guided walking tours.
Vegera
CRETAN $
( 28940 31730;
www.vegerazaros.gr
;
Main St; four-course meal €12; breakfast, lunch & din-
ner; )
The vivacious Vivi has a knack for turning farm-fresh local produce into amaz-
ingly flavourful and creative dishes based on traditional recipes. A full meal with fresh
bread, a garden salad, cheese and olives, a cooked main course, pastries and
raki
is just
€12.
Limni
FISH, CRETAN $$$
( 28940 31338; Zaros; mains €7-17; 9am-late)
Right on Lake Votomos, this taverna is a
peaceful oasis serving fresh grilled trout and Cretan specialities. The basket of starters
that comes out with the bread adds a nice touch.
Getting There & Away
Zaros is about 46km southwest of Iraklio. From Iraklio's Bus Station B, one bus daily
stops in Zaros en route to Kamares (€4.70; one hour). Check KTEL (
www.bus-service-
crete-ktel.com
)
for timings.
WORTH A TRIP
GORTYNA ΓΌΡΤΥΝΑ
En route to Matala, build in a stop in
Gortyna
( 28920 31144; adult/concession/under 18 &
EC students €4/2/free; 8.30am-8pm Jul & Aug, shorter hours rest of year)
, which was once a
subject town of powerful Phaestos (
Click here
)
but later became the capital of Ro-
man Crete. At its peak, as many as 100,000 people may have milled around its
streets.
There are two sections to Gortyna, with the best-preserved relics in the fenced
area on the north side of the road. These include the 6th-century Byzantine
Church
of Agios Titos
, the finest early Christian church in Crete and, even more import-
antly, the massive stone tablets inscribed with the 6th-century-BC
Laws of Gortyna
,
