Fodele (Crete, Greece)

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Famous as the birthplace of the 16th-century painter El Greco (Domenikos Theotokopoulos), this quiet, compact village, which measures only about 600 yds by 200, is still very traditional, although it now has a number of souvenir shops lining the main street. Determined local women ply their trade of lace-making while you watch and hopefully buy. Despite several car parks, the streets are often cluttered with the cars of the many tourists visiting an authentic Cretan village for lunch or sightseeing.

Fodele is located on the N coast of Crete, 18 mls NW of Heraklion, 21 mls NW of Heraklion airport and 33 mls E of Rethymnon. Fodele is inland from the coast, in a verdant valley complete with a small river; surrounded by steep mountains, pastureland, olive groves, orchards and farms. The beach lies 1¾ mls to the N, set on a sheltered bay.

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Fodele is popular with mature couples, nature lovers and those wanting to spend time near a genuine working Cretan village. Not for those seeking nightlife (which exists only in the beachfront hotel). Many British and Germans visit this area.

Accommodation is limited to a single grand, all-inclusive hotel right by the beach, 1¾ mls away. Apartments and simple rooms available in tavernas by the beach. The village itself has a few rooms available in local houses.

Fodele boasts a wide bay with a fine sand beach; rocky area at the edges of the bay. Sunbeds and parasols for rent by the 4 beach tavernas. Hotel has its own section. It is fairly busy at weekends, when the locals descend.

Shoppers will find that the village has mainly souvenir shops, all selling similar goods, and a couple of minimarkets offering staple foods and local produce. Only 1 minimarket at the beach.

Entertainment consists of beach activities and water sports; walking; mountain biking. Nightlife is mostly hotel-based entertainment; a few bars in the village.

There are numerous pleasant tavernas in the village which provide local-style food at reasonable prices. Most have lovely outdoor dining terraces shaded by mature trees alongside the river. Several tavernas on the beach, with more sophisticated restaurants at the main beachfront hotel.

A regular bus service provides a useful means of getting around and runs along the main road, W to Chania and Rethymnon or E to Heraklion. Car hire is available from the hotel or tour representatives. Radio taxis can be arranged fairly easily.

Local excursions consist of: El Greco museum; traditional Greek evening. Full day options include: ancient Minoan palace of Knossos and Heraklion archaeological museum; historical sites of resort of Chania; Samaria Gorge; boat trip to island of Santorini; Water City water park; fortress island of Spinalonga, a former leper colony.

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Population: 10.668.400
Languages: Greek 99% (official), English, French
Currency: euro
Currency code: EUR
Local Times:
Greece - Athens

Country Dialling Code: +30
Voltage: 220V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
2 Parallel circular prongs

2 parallel circular prongs with an earth connector

2 parallel circular prongs with a female earth connector

'Schuko' type with two earth connectors on the sides

Greece appeals to different types of tourist, and very few could fail to find somewhere to suit their taste. From bustling Athens to blindingly bright islands, ancient fragments abound - the belly button of the cosmos at Delphi, fallen columns galore on the sacred island of Delos, frescoed Minoan palaces on Crete and even, quite possibly, the remnants of Atlantis at Santorini. Greeks are fierce guardians of tradition, but that doesn't mean they don't know how to have fun. In addition, hot sun and limpid seas conspire to make Greece a perfect place to relax. Whether you're supping in a beachside taverna , sipping coffee in a shady plateia or disco-dancing till dawn.

The Olympic Games were spawned in ancient classical Greece, along with democracy and the fundamentals of philosophy, science and mathematics. Modern Greece is better known as a great place to vacation rather than a centre of learning and culture. Today the country attracts by offering simple pleasures: delicious food at reasonable prices, local wine, beautiful beaches, sunshine, quaint villages, a seemingly endless lacework of coastline and little islands full of scenic surprises.

The country exudes traditional charm, particularly on its ever-popular islands, which cling to their stereotypical architecture and way of life despite being often over-run by tourists. Black-clad women still deliver vegetables to island tavernas on panniered donkeys, while bronzed, lined fishermen sit in the sun, drink thick coffee, and play dominoes or dice. The tourist infrastructure has intruded in many respects, but the timeless aspect of whitewashed buildings clustered on hillsides around narrow pebbled alleys has been retained. The myriad islands in the Aegean Sea are easily accessible from Piraeus, the historic harbour of Greece's mainland capital, Athens, by ferry or hydrofoil, offering a unique chance for 'island-hopping'. Many of the larger islands also have airports with connections to Athens or seasonally with major European cities.

On the mainland the city of Athens in the south is sprawling, overcrowded and polluted but nevertheless enthralls visitors, while Thessaloniki in the north is vibrant and modern with a Byzantine flavour. Athens is dominated by its major landmark, the Parthenon: the remains of other wonders of the ancient Greek classical world are to be found mainly on the Peloponnese Peninsula, south of Corinth, the gateway to a veritable treasure trove of history.

Greece and Greeks welcome with open arms the thousands of visitors that flock to admire their national assets every year - no-one leaves without having been warmed, both by the sun and the hospitality.