The historic Lycian ruins of Xanthos and the national park of Patara are within easy reach of Kalkan, Islamlar and Kas.  Also within striking distance is Arycanda, which can compete with Ephesus for the quality of its Lycian remains and Pinara, known for its tombs.  The sunken city of Kekova, which was submerged by earthquakes in the 4th and 5th centuries is accessible by boat.

The Lycian way was named one of the world’s ten best walks by the Sunday Times.  It climbs 1500 metres above sea level to offer outstanding views, passing through small villages where the simple agricultural way of life is still observed. A jeep outing from Kalkan, Islamlar or Kas is a chance to go off the beaten track and follow sections of this picturesque route.

 At the Carpet Weaver’s Association see traditional Turkish carpets being hand-made, This visit is far from the high-pressure retail pitch you may have encountered on other holidays – it’s a genuine and fascinating opportunity to see the weavers at work and understand the background behind the designs woven into the carpets. 

 A trip to Green Lake is a chance to drink the healing waters of this mountain lake, which draws pilgrims from all over the country, and also to experience the semi-nomadic way of life that dominates the Taurus mountains all summer long. The nearby village of Gombe has a lively market where the nomads sell their goods. Green Lake is within easy reach of Kalkan, Islamlar and Kas.

The picturesque Saklikent gorge is hundreds of feet deep and runs for 20km.  It lies closest to the Kaya Valley, but is also reachable on a day trip from Kalkan, Islamlar and Kas.  It’s a great location for hiking and rafting, as well as for simply enjoying its natural beauty. 

 The Palace of Knossos, home to the Bronze Age Minoan civilisation with brilliantly-coloured frescoes give insights into Minoan culture and many artefacts are displayed on-site.  The National Archeological Museum in Heraklion is an opportunity to see Minoan artefacts, including the famous statue of a Snake Goddess. Knossos and the Museum are easy days out from all our resorts in Crete.

 Located in the foothills of the mountains behind Rethymnon, the Monastery of Arkadi is considered to be something of a national shrine, having been a stronghold against Turkish invasion.  A small group of monks still live within the monastery, taking care of the grounds and running a small museum of religious relics.  Arkadi is closest to Rethymnon, but within reach of all our other resorts in Crete.

The unoccupied Cretan island of Spinalonga features a Venetian fort and is also known for being one of the last active leper colonies in Europe, housing patients until 1957. Spinalonga also draws visitors to its small pebble beaches and boat trips run daily from nearby Elounda and Agios Nikolaos.

Samaria Gorge is one of the most impressive natural gorges in Europe with over 16km of stunning scenery.  It has been declared a National Park to protect its wildflowers and plants, as well as the Cretan wild goats roaming its pathways. Its location towards the west of the island makes it more suitable for days out from Rethymnon than our other Cretan resorts.

Kefalonia has a rich heritage and prides itself on producing Greece’s top philosophers and doctors.  With an extensive collection of clothing and artefacts, the Folk Museum gives an insight into the cultural past of the island and also houses a collection of photographs of how Argostoli looked before the earthquake. The Folk Museum is accessible from all our properties near Fiscardo.