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Σπήλι 740 53, Ελλάδα 
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Places near Sports
Situated some 30 km South of the town of Rethymno, approximately in the middle of the island of Crete, Spili has everything for the visitor who wants to experience 'natural Crete'. Mount Vorizi which hovers over the town is impressive, but wait until you walk up the side streets of this village to be really impressed.
The cobbled streets and flowering shrubs are a photographers dream. In the centre of the village is a Venetian fountain with a long row of 19 stone lions heads splashing welcome cool water into the trough below. Above this starts the climb through the beautifully quaint village streets with their flowered balconies, arches, and cobbles. Spili is on the main bus route between the north and south of the island so there are several buses a day. In the daytime it is a hive of activity being on one of the 'must see' parts of the area for tourism. In the evenings you can relax, smug, knowing that you have chosen this village to stay in and chosen well. This is walking and cycling country, with many different local routes to see and enjoy. Spili being 450 metres above sea level offers the advantage of cooler evenings, most welcome during the height of summer. The days are hot but the evenings are pure delight, just watching the local activity and the sun going down. Bicycle hire is available from Heracles Pension, situation on the right as you near the centre of the town coming from Rethymno. Spili has a special attraction those seeking the raw natural beauty of the rugged countryside which has inspired artists, painters and photographers alike throughout the ages. In late January, after a relatively short mild winter, spring bursts in to life with a spectacular display of wild flowers. Red poppies and mustard yellow flowers carpet the olive groves; on uncultivated ground wild anemone, tulips and delicate orchids bloom.
It lies to the south-west of Spili at a distance of 34 km from Rethymnon city. It is recorded as Mournea in all the Venetian censi. At Malathre, close to a spring, to the south-west of the village of Diplochori - now in ruins -the church of Aghios Giorgos has interesting wall paintings, albeit in poor condition.
Morne is one of those village most people think they don’t know but in fact if you travelling along the road from Rethymnon city to Spili and beyond you will have noticed this village visible on a hillside both before and after Spili. There are some beautiful houses with interesting architecture probably around 250 years old and many have been beautifully restored. The friendly locals will give you unsolicited praise and advice on all matters whether you understand or not.
They are extremely generous and love to share what they have from their gardens/allotments or produce, like their own raki or wine. There is a small English speaking foreign community so if you do not speak Greek you will still find someone to speak to. Morne is well positioned, being only half an hours drive from Rethymnon, and you have a fabulous choice of beaches available, all 25 -35 minutes away. To the east there are Agios Pavlos, Ligres, Akoumia, Triopetra, and Agia Galini beaches. To the west you have Monastery Preveli and Palm Beach Preveli , Skinaria, Amoudi, and Plakias.
Alternatively the mountains are only a short drive away if you take the Gerakari village road from Spili. There are also many pleasant walks to be had around the village or along tracks or lanes to nearby villages. A favourite walk is from Mixorouma to Frati enjoying the views of the gorge from there. There are approximately 240 inhabitants and it is 34 kms from Rethymnon and only 4kms from Spili.
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