[header type=”h2″] Xirokampi [/header]

Xirokampi is a charming village built on a hillside with a view of a plain full of olive trees and vineyards.
The excellent climate, the cool of the wind and its panoramic view are some of the advantages of this blessed place. The visitor’s eyes are filled with joy while pictures of nature are successively alternated: in the south the wild grey peaks of the Cretan mountains, in the east and west the bright green calmness of the plain, in the north the boundless blue of the Cretan Sea. The old Byzantine church of St. Antonios with its beautiful wall-paintings is the ornament of the village. It was built in the 16th C. during the Venetian occupation and it is in a good state of repair. You will taste wonderful Cretan dishes in the two traditional tavernas of the village.
Within 3 kilometers you will find the fantastic beach of Pirgos Psiloneri.
It is characterized by the European Union as a beach of special natural beauty with rare plants “Pancratorium maritimun”, which is known the Minon lily or the sea lily.
The area is also a place for natural reproduction of the sea turtle careta-careta.
Four kilometers from Xirokampi you will reach Maleme where there ar e a Medical Center and a pharmacy shop.

6 kilometers from the mouth of the ancient river Iardanos you can visit the tourist resort Platanias, with a beautiful sandy beach. Platanias is a busy town with night life, shopping centers, banks, restaurants, various shops including great variety of souvenirs, pubs, night clubs, cafes.

Xirokampi is a settlement situated 18 kilometers from Chania and 28 kilometers from the airport of Chania.
From the new national road from Chania to Kissamos, take the right exit to Platanias.
When you get to the sea you take the left turn towards Maleme.
After 3 kilometers you will see the village Pirgos Psiloneri and a sign to Xirokampi.
You drive past the village Kontomari and after 2 kilometers you will arrive at the settlement.

[header type=”h2″] prefecture of Chania [/header]

The prefecture of Chania is divided by the imperious White Mountains in two completely different landscapes. The section of coastline, with 415 km coast is richer and more densely populated. The sparsely populated hinterland, is one of the most authentic areas of Crete.
A large part of the natural environment of Chania, due to the particular fauna and flora, consists of protected areas for hunting, parks and habitats (lake Agia, Kournas lake, islands Gavdos and Gavdopoula, Elafonisi etc. protected by «Natura 2000»). In the area of canyons, ancient streets lead us to the heart of a virgin nature that gives generously pictures, perfumes and tastes to the sightseer. “Madara”, the word locals use for the mountain, is a real balcony overlooking the Cretan and the Libyan Sea. The known caves in Chania exceed one thousand with unique findings from the ancient period and beautiful rooms with stalactites and stalagmites. The Cretan wild goat, the famous “Kri Kri”, finds shelter in caves.
Chania prefecture is truly inexhaustible in car or motorcycle journeys. The alternation of the landscape from alpine to semi-tropical is so quick that leaves speechless every unsuspecting sightseer. Unique villages full of green, almost untouched by the passage of time, are a few minutes away from the cosmopolitan beaches of the northern coast. Coastal villages still retain their color as picturesque fishing villages.
You can find old churches and archaeological sites everywhere. In Chania countryside you will also find beautiful wineries, dairies, bakeries, small traditional cafes and restaurants under the shade of plane and mulberry trees.

[header type=”h2″] Cretan Nutrition  [/header]

Best quality natural products create the basis for traditional cuisine, in which the taste of the dishes is not degraded by excessive spices. Main components of the Cretan Food are extra virgin olive oil, herbs, vegetables, legumes, fish, meat, seafood, wine, raki! In these we can add a large number of varieties of cheese, especially the Cretan Gruyere, the “athotyro” cheese and “mizithra” soft cheese. Yoghurt, honey, fresh orange juice and fruits, contribute to this valuable and healthy diet.