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Exploring Chania

Wednesday, August 6, 2014
The view from our hotel room's balcony! 

Jen and I booked tickets to Chania on a whim, mostly because we found an insanely cheap RyanAir flight from Athens (and we couldn't afford to fly directly from Athens to Santorini. English teacher problems...) A stop in Crete seemed like the perfect solution to a) see more of the islands, and b) allow us to take a less expensive ferry to Santorini. Little did we know how much the old town of Chania would enchant us.

Without a doubt, Chania is one of the most charming and colorful places I've ever been to. We spent hours simply wandering through the narrow streets, getting lost and taking photos of everything around us. We spent our mornings savoring freddo espressos and Greek yogurt with honey, while our afternoons were spent devouring delicious Greek dishes and exploring the picturesque alleyways. We also strolled along the Venetian Harbor towards the lighthouse, admiring the quiet marina, bright buildings and deep turquoise sea.

It was truly Greek paradise. The smell of salt water filled the air, vibrant colors exploded across town, and cascades of bougainvillea adorned the hidden pathways. What more could you ask for?


My Chania Picks:
Must-Try Dishes: Apaki, Dolmades and Dakos
Best Views: From our hotel room's balcony at Loukia Hotel
Favorite Restaurants: The Well of the Turk, Stelios and Tamam
Best People-Watching: The Venetian Harbor
Best Day Trip: Elafonisi Beach
23 comments on "Exploring Chania"
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    1. The colors are definitely what made it so magical and vibrant!

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  2. That view from your hotel room is spectacular! I love all of the colors!

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    1. It was the best hotel view I've ever had! And the room was suuuuper cheap. Score!!

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  3. Okay, time to go back now! I need to stock up on some more gemstone jewelry....

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    1. Exaaaactly. My aquamarine ring is started to lose some of its gold. I'll take that as a sign that it's time to go back...

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  4. I wasn't jealous before...I sure am now! What gorgeous sights!

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    1. Well I will be equally jealous of your upcoming South American adventures chica!!

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    2. Oops, I meant to write "If I wasn't jealous before..." because, I mean, GREECE.

      I guess that's just one hazard of following travel blogs--all the wanderlust ;)

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    3. Exactly - so inspiring yet dangerous at the same time :)

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  5. ...It's SO colorful--ugh, I CAN'T (almost), haha!!...

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    1. I definitely had to pinch myself to be sure that it was real. Chania was just too beautiful! I hope you're getting pumped for equally exciting adventures throughout Europe this upcoming year! When do you move to Spain?

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    2. ...Sorry--didn't see this reply 'till now!!...I leave J.F.K. on the 14th of September!!...

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    3. Eeek you must be so excited! I go back on the 15th!

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  6. The colors are absolutely gorgeous. So vibrant and it looks precisely as I imagine Greece to look. Your photos are absolutely stunning.

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    1. Thank you :) It was all so darling and quintessentially Greek, so naturally I fell in love with the place immediately!

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  7. omg STUNNING. Everything about this place looks perfect. This is like Greece porn!

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  8. I have to say, Chania wasn't on my travel radar at all, but it definitely is after seeing your pictures. It looks so beautiful and colorful!

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    1. It's definitely one of my favorite "hidden gem" locations. I would have never booked a ticket if I hadn't found such a cheap flight!

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  9. As always, beautiful pictures and as always you look absolutely beautiful!!! Definitely want to check out this city--- looks amazing!!

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    1. Gracias chica! I definitely recommend going if you're planning a trip to Greece!

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  10. Athens is a beautiful place for traveling and thanks for sharing your beautiful experience of traveling with us, that's so nice. And I appreciate your post from bottom of my heart and I am also looking forward to visit over there but for that I am looking for cheap flight booking to Athens, with my family members.

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