Sfakiano gorge runs the same direction as the Chania - Vrisses village - Sfakia highway, on the west side of it. The gorge's mouth lays at 2 km to the East of Hora Sfakion coastal village.

If you climb up any of the southern peaks of the White Mountains of Crete, on a clear day, you will see the island of Gavdos lying flat on the horizon amidst the Libyan Sea.

Those who pass through the wild and beautiful Samaria gorge in Crete are rewarded with a sense of achievement and, according to legend, eternal youth

Wild goat, up there - do you see it?’ All heads turn as the guide points to a boulder overhanging the cliff face. Startled, the lone male stares for an instant then leaps out of sight, his long curving horns flashing like gold through the screes.

From Askifou to Livada, on the E4 trail: When I go walking into the Lefka Ori, West Crete, and I do several times a year, I often come to think about how "civilized" some parts feel compared to others. The western (Omalos, Melindaou) and southern (Katsiveli, Roussies) areas feel "civilized", so that when I finally get there, coming from the north or east I feel some kind of relief - Now I'm safe!

“If you missed this boat, you may never get another one ….”  With apologies to Johnny Duncan and the Bluegrass Boys, who were heading for San Fernando all those years ago.

The steady drone of chain-sawing from nearby and distant olive groves can only mean that winter is fast approaching. For (as Pooh would have noted) chain-sawing means wood piles, and olive logs, and wood stoves (zompas), with maybe a little something simmering on the top.

This circular route from Vlithias village, 7km north of Paleohora, in Chania Prefecture, is ideal, and will fit in with the bus timetables. Take the 12.00pm bus to the junction to Vlithias, a village largely hidden from the main road.

Elos village - Agios Dikeos Mountain: An easy but vigorous 4 hours walk to the highest summit of Kissamos: mount Dikeos (1184m), in Chania Prefecture, with a height difference of 685 m. Scenically, it is one of the best view point in western Crete. On the summit it is often possible to see the famous “lammergeier” vultures hanging on the thermals.

The E4 path, that crosses Crete from west to east, follows this stretch of coast. Four days would be required in order to reach Sfakia from Paleochora. Paleochora, Sougia and Sfakia have a daily bus service, and other villages are linked by ferry boats, therefore the trek can be divided into several one-day walks, except for the stretch between Sougia and Agia Roumeli that requires two days (11-12 hours walk).

The village Manoliopoulo belongs to the municipality Platanias, Kydonia, with 265 residents (1981), at an altitude of 120 meters and 20km away from Chania Town.