Spacious, with plants, covered with stone and wood, viewing the center of Platanias.
Special facilities for handicapped people and children.
A NEW TASTEFUL SUGGESTION AT THE CENTRE OF PLATANIAS
Platanias is a cosmopolitan tourist resort, one of the most famus in Crete. Platanias is 10 Km from Chania, on the highway to Kasteli. The 4 kilometers of the white shining sandy beaches, have given
to Platania beach for 7 years in the row, the blue flag, a hallmark of quality of EEC for clear and organized beaches. The area offers all swimming facilities. The pleasant hotels, the evergreens, the orange groves and exotic bamboo along the riverbanks, draw visitors year after year. Platanias village it lays beside river Iardanos (which means holy water according to Homer) or Platania. It has been named after the sycamores that were in the riverbank. The old village of Platanias is situated at the top of the hill, it was there that the inhabitants of Platanias found refuge from pirates and other invaders over the centuries.
According to the tradition, on the rock of Platania, was the ancient city of Pergamos and Agamemnon's tomb. In the Venetian inventories PLATANIAS is mentioned as Platanea and Pirgho Platanea, there were possibly two different settlements. Originally the village was built
amphitheatrically on a high, rocky place with picturesque houses. Now it has spread to the seaside.
One kilometer away from Platanias you will find yourself in a wild refuge with rare flora and fauna, and aged plane trees growing among ivy and wild vines.The scenery gives the visitor a tropical feeling.
This is a really blessed place.Visitors have the feeling of 4000 years of history and at the same time breath the air of modern and cosmopolitan life. After a lazy day in the beach you can walk in the full of flowers little streets of the upper Platanias, a lot of restaurants with fantastic view waiting for you, with delicious Cretan cuisine Platania is a fully organized small society with Medical Center, drugstores, Police Station, High school, Banks, Gas Stations, Hotels, Pensions, Restaurants - Taverns, Rent a Car, Cafe bar, Club,Disco, Travel Agencies, Jewelers and many other tourist or not enterprises which make Platania a significant touristic center.
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Olive Oil |
By the end of 1950's, when American nutrition experts came to Crete to investigate the causes that were responsible for the longevity of Cretans, they could not believe their eyes! "My God, how much oil do you use!," exclaimed Dr. Ancel Keys, as he was looking at a plate of green salad virtually floating in olive oil. In fact, Dr. A. Keys' observation was subsequent to similar remarks/observations made centuries earlier by travellers from other regions of the world, who were also interested in scrutinizing the daily life and habits of Cretans. Today it is believed that the secret for a long and healthy life lies in olive oil, the principal ingredient of Cretan diet. Past and present research conducted in the USA and Europe supports the view that olive oil not only shields the human heart from diseases, but also increases the good operation of other organs or protects the human organism from a long range of diseases. For one thing, it reduces cholesterol3; it has excellent antioxidant properties and wards off all forms of cancer; in addition, it supports the operation of liver and is ideal for those people suffering from diabetes and other diseases! The quality of Cretan and Aegean olive oil enjoys wide reputation all over the world. This is because it is not an industrial but a natural product received by crushing the olive fruit and is free from preservatives and chemical additives. It is pure, light and tasteful; in short, it is the best olive oil in the world. The olive trees are cultivated with love and care, with due respect for tradition, while the juice is packaged pure by small packaging units that respect themselves and their consumers. Try pure olive oil instead of butter in your breakfast ... just dip country hard-bread, or a slice of whole-kernel bread in it! You may find this an excellent and tasteful alternative to your normal breakfast. Olive oil can be flavoured by mixing it in the bottle with a combination of herbs or those of your choice. www.cretan-nutricion.gr |
Wine |
Cretans are very well aware of the health benefits from moderate wine consumption; it is part of their culture: good wine is a perfect accompaniment to every dinner but should be taken moderately. Consumption of wine is not a solitary practice; it goes hand in hand with social events, good company and comradeship. Modern wine industries of Crete have exploited the traditional grape varieties and the centuries old accumulated knowledge of wine-making. The oldest wine-press found on Crete, in the village of Archanes, is 3500 years old. In this sector, also, tradition is in harmony with technological progress. Cretan wine makers combine traditional ways with modern technology and marketing strategies. Qualified enologists experiment with succulent grape varieties to produces wines that are distinguished for their bouquet and taste that satisfy a wide range of consumer demands. The Cretan "appellation d'origine" ("designation of origin") wines constitute an invaluable heritage of traditional selections absolutely harmonized with the climatic conditions of the island. Let us not forget that viniculture is a 4000 year old practice on the island of Crete. In Greek mythology, wine was the present of a great god, Dionysus, to the people. Dionysus is the god of wine-making and merry-making, life and friendship. According to mythology, Dionysus' favourite companion was Ariadne, the daughter of Minos, king of Crete. Dionysus . . . wine . .the Minoan civilization . . .nutrition as a way of life... these are concepts intricately woven in the fabric that constitutes our culture. Areas distinguished for their wine varieties: Archanes, Peza (province of Pediada), Dafnes, Monofatsi, Province of Siteia, Province of Kydonia and Kissamos. www.cretan-nutricion.gr |
Aromatic Plants |
Another important Cretan tradition. Ancient authors (e.g. Aristotle) recorded the following observation: a wild goat wounded by a hunter's arrow would try to find a certain plant, origanum dictamus L., the king of the endemic flora of Crete. As soon as the wild goat consumed this plant, the arrow would fall off the wound by itself! In antiquity dictamus was considered a form of panacea (cure-all natural medicine). Hippocrates, for example, recommended dictamus that facilitated labour and delivery in pregnant women. Cretan pickerf of aromatic herbs offer a wide variety of products as oregano (origanum onites), basil (ocimum basilicum L.), tilia cordata mill., marjoram (origanum majorana), thyme (thymus sibthorpil benth.), mint (mentha), rosemary (rosmarius officinalis), bay (laurus nobilis L.), camomile (matricaria chamomilla L.), sage (salvia officinalis), a.o. All these herbs have been used as medicinal plants since antiquity and numerous texts by ancient authors attribute to them excellent therapeutic properties. Many of these Cretan herbs (among them dictamus) grow on steep slopes on the island and are usually gathered by experienced people. Today these herbs are used for tea preparations and as a condiment; they can be found in most local markets and supermarkets. The herbs are dried under natural conditions and then packaged by modern packaging units without any form of chemical processing. www.cretan-nutricion.gr |