Chora Sfakion, Crete South coast
"Europe is the heart of the world, Greece the heart of Europe, Crete the heart of Greece," they say in Sfakia, which is what the locals call their town. The Sfakioten are a very proud people who over the centuries were never really taken over by the occupying forces of Crete. Proud Cretans with their long boots are still in evidence here.
The ferry goes to Gavdos from here and buses are on hand to take up the bulk of the Samaria hikers.
The interior of Sfakia is terrific. One of Crete´s most beautiful serpentines winds up to the Askifou Plateau (see photos). It is a hideaway for hikers (Imbros Gorge) and mountain bikers. There are a few small, individual hotels in the area.
