5 WAYS TO GET OFF THE BEATEN TRACK IN EAST CRETE

If you hanker to get away from it all, whilst glorying in half-deserted, yet picture postcard perfect beaches, fascinating sites and sights, you cant do better than East Crete. Even during August's frenetic hustle, this side of the island steers clear of bustle. Here are five things to do in east Crete that you wont find in the guidebooks.
1Visit the caves at Pervolakia. These barely visited grottos daubed with cave paintings are in the tiny hamlet of kato Pervolakia, near Lithines on the Makrigialos-Sitia road. To find them ask at the hamlets only kafenion.
2.Take a kayak tour of the east Crete coastline from Sitia. One day or week-long tours to help you discover this incredibly unspoilt coastline. More info from eastcretemagazineDOTcom
3Take a wander around the tiny typical windmill-ed village of Armeni. On the road from lithines to Xerocambos beach this pretty little village is a labyrinth of tiny lanes and typical whitewashed houses - head for the vilalge centre (plateia) and youll find several kfenions serving drinks and meze snacks. For more info about kafenions serving good value drinks and free mezes, check out EastcretemagazineDOTcom 's 5 Best kafenions for Mezes.
4 Discover the wild landscapes and deep gorges near Karidi. Well off the beaten track, this half-abandoned village between Handras and Zakros, is steeped in atmosphere.
5 Go bananas near Vai beach. if everyone's heard of Vai the Bounty island beach, fewer have heard of the banana plantations which can be visited just next door - take the road to Vai and stop off at the banana stand close to the beach and ask for more info.

And don't forget to read eastcretemagazineDOTcom s blog which has regular updates on great things to do in east Crete.