White River Cottages

Activities

• Wander through Makriyialos, the nicest town on this stretch of coast, with a lovely fishing harbour, restored waterfront houses, traces of Minoan and Roman settlements and a wide choice of bars and tavernas.
  
  
• Swim and sunbathe at a nearby beach or cove – the sandiest (and busiest) are to the west, the quietest (and stoniest) are to the east, near Langada
  
  
• Hike up the Pefki valley on your doorstep – ask Vangelis for a sketch map (the first 3km are dirt road and can be driven)
  
  
• Visit Kapsa monastery , 9km away, and explore the dramatic Perivolakia gorge beneath it
  
  
• Book a Shiatsu session
  
  
• Take a boat trip from Ierapetra to the beautiful island of Chrysi
  
  
• Climb the panoramic 1500-metre summit of Afendis Estravromenos, or hike through the breath-taking Thripti gorge that cleaves through it (start from Orino, 30 mins drive away)
  
  
• To the east, beyond the town of Sitia, is the stunning palm-beach of Vaï and the Minoan palace of Zakros, both of them busy but amply worth the 50-60km drive
  
  
• To the west, the bustling town of Agios Nikolaos and the traditional village of Kritsa are both 60km (1 hour) drive away; while inland are the Lasithi mountains, with verdant orchards, isolated villages, crumbling windmills, a mythical cave and a dramatic river-cleft at Arvi