Greece, Crete: Trip to the Largest Greek Island II.

Rethymno On the north coast of Crete, about halfway between the capital Heraklion , which lies to the west, and Chania in the east. p>

Once in the city center, you'll notice the omnipresent tourist noise. Crowds of tourists flowing aimlessly through the streets, photographing, examining the souvenir shops, monuments, fountains and probably drinking a cold drink or attempts to cool the ice cream.

The major boulevards of Rethymno are quite crowded with shops of all kinds. There you will find shops selling newspapers, magazines, books, mainly in English, German, Russian, and Greek, but it is not rare here to see a book on Greek cuisine in Czech or various guide books or readers in an attractive and readable form about Greek mythology.

But what the streets of a relatively small historical center of Rethymno really hide are, of course, restaurants, pastries and snack bars. It is very hard to resist, especially after long hours of walking under the relentless Greek sun, so you will want to sit down somewhere for a while and refuel energy.

In this case, we really recommend you to read about some restaurants in the center read in advance on the internet. Most of the restaurants rely mainly on the atmosphere. Often you will find them in places where there is a great view of the sea or the main square. In Rethymno prefer to avoid restaurants along the Venetian harbor. They need are not certainly the worst, but ...

If you want to really enjoy Greek cuisine and not have a plate a variety of strange mixes in which the missing fries, chips and similar foods that do not have anything in common with  Greece in common. Rather try less crowded side streets. For example, restaurants Avli in Xanthudidu No 22. Once you peek inside, you'll want to immediately go here. Comfortable seating in the inner courtyard, complemented by excellent service and superior mainly modern Greek cuisine is the right combination for lucn or dinner. Price for main dishes ranging from 12 to 22 euros, but your taste buds will thank you long after.

After a fine lunch or dinner there is a time for a dessert. Hot weather naturally calls for some ice cream. One of the best you will find in the street Paleologou . The easily overlooked place seeks to highlight signboard with a replica of a masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci. Inside you will meet old owner, which boasts one of the best ice cream, which you can taste in Greece. It is made from sheep's milk and because of the very good price you will have really tough time to choose. You will definitely would want to visit this place one more time. At least.

Text/photo: Maxim Kucer