Traditional Independant Apartment - Grandma's Nest

'Grandma's Nest' is a newly renovated traditional apartment in the heart of the beautiful village of Kaloudiana. A fully equipped kitchen makes this place easy to self cater. The front porch with its stunning village view and mature garden in the back makes it easy to enjoy your meals in-and outdoors. Perfect location to visit Falassarna, Balos Lagoon, Gramvoussa Lagoon & Elafonissi. Kissamos Town is just a 2 minute drive away. Local Bus towards Kissamos and Chania is just a few steps away. Kissamos (Kastelli) is a modern seaside town, 36km east of Chania, with a population of 5000 people, whose economy is based mainly on agriculture – with its renowned olive oil and wine- plus tourism, and is still developing. The beauty of Kissamos, is that it is a Greek town that has embraced tourism but not been spoiled by it. Visitors of Kissamos can experience local life and tradition, from the everyday to the special cultural events organized during the summer season. In recent years it has also developed as a region renowned for its alternative, natural and eco tourism and as such is a magnet for walkers, bird watchers and lovers of nature generally. It is a hospitable town, well organized with all the facilities required of a self sufficient town, such as banks, post office, internet cafes, health centre, supermarkets and stores, tavernas, cafes and bars. It also has a very pleasant seaside promenade lined with tavernas, cafes and bars open from the morning till late at night. There are ships running from Kissamos harbor to Kithira, Peloponnese and Pireaus. There are also daily cruises from Kissamos to Gramvousa and Balos lagoon. SIGHTSEEING The archeological museum of Kissamos, situated in the central square Stratigou Tzanakaki, is a recently renovated listed building housing a treasure trove of local archeological finds from the Hellenistic and Roman periods – most notably very impressive mosaics. There is also a delightful street called Skalidi that runs through the center of the old section of the town with traditional arched buildings and small local tradesmen and shops. One and a half kilometers from the center of the town, is the picturesque fishing port with two tavernas and a little further on, the larger commercial port that links Kissamos by a ferry service to Kythera , the Peloponnese and Piraeus. From this port there is also a daily pleasure cruise to the stunning island of Gramvousa and lagoon of Balos. Between the two ports is the surprising little 10th century church (reconstructed in 1947) St. John Damiali built into the rock face and opposite a tunnel leading to Damiali beach – a pebbly cove with crystal clear water that will enchant you. HISTORY Kissamos was also known as Kastelli and got its name from the Venetian fort that used to stand in the town. Predating that time, “Cisamon” is mentioned by Pliny and “Kissamos Town” by Ptolemy. The town flourished during the Roman period and much evidence of this has been uncovered, with Roman baths, villas with mosaic floors, cemeteries, an aqueduct and the remains of the fortress walls. In the museum there are archaic, classical and Hellenistic objects, pots, statues, glass containers and coins etc. Roman Kissamos also had a famous theater which was noted by Onario Belli in the late sixteenth century, and the famous archaeologist B. Theofanidis has established Seli, an area just outside of the town of Kissamos, as a base for King Agamemnon. During the first Byzantine period Kissamos retained its power and the diocese was established but during the second Byzantine period the bishopric was moved to the village of Episkopi to escape the pirate raids on the coast. During the Venetian occupation the diocese of Kissamos was received into the universal church, as mentioned by a Latin bishop in 1307. During the period 1579 to 1582 a fortress with a pentagon shaped church, prison, barracks and well was constructed. Some of the wall is still visible in the town today. During the Turkish occupation Kastelli actively participated in all revolutionary attacks against the Turks and sought with Mother Greece. Also during World War II Kissamos the town, and the whole area, was active in the resistance against the occupying Nazis. Mavros Molos beach Mavros Molos (i.e. black jetty) beach is located just in front of Kissamos town, 36km west of Chania. Mavros Molos is a long gulf, on which remains of the ancient port of Kissamos have been found. It is the main beach of Kissamos town and hosts the most swimmers in the area. It's a great beach with fine sand and relatively shallow waters. Next to the beach there are many cafes, restaurants and hotels. Umbrellas, sunbeds, lifeguard and showers are provided. There are also many tamarisk trees, providing natural shade. West of Mavros Molos main beach, there is a smaller cove, which has pebbles and is rockier. The cove is never crowded and is suitable for snorkeling. Telonio beach The beach of Telonio starts east of the main pedestrian road of Kissamos and extends to the local stadium, about 1km eastern. Actually it is the westernmost part of the vast beach that starts from Kissamos and ends in Nopigia, several kilometers eastern. Telonio is located next to the most cosmopolitan part of Kissamos, at the position of the former Customs' Office and the current pedestrian seaside road with the most taverns and cafes. It is a nice pebbly and sandy beach with shallow water. Despite the short distance from the town, it is totally unorganized and seems abandoned. Telonio used to be the most popular beach of the area, several decades ago, however today it is sadly to see rusty umbrellas and rubbish on the beach It is a good choice for those who do not like crowds, but also want to have many amenities within walking distance. Livadia beach, Kissamos The beach of Livadia starts 1km east of Kissamos, next to the town stadium, and ends at the beach of Korfalonas. It is a small, 2km long, part of the vast beach that runs from Kissamos and ends in the Cape Rodopos. The beach, like all beaches in the neighboring area, is sandy and has some pebbles in places. It is open to the winds and the waters are not deep. It is not very well organized, but there are a few points with umbrellas, small hotels and restaurants. Due to its length, it always seems empty. It is a good choice in windless days and for those who want to find a quiet place to swim, but close to city amenities. Castel Chissamo, Kastelli in Kissamos, which in 1966 was renamed to Kissamos, is a small picturesque town built in the gulf of Kissamos or Myrtilos, between the peninsulas of Gramvousa and Spatha. The name derives from the Venetian fortress that was built there, remains of which still exist. The first fort of Kastelli was built by the Genoese pirate Henry Pescatore on the site of the ancient Kissamos, in the early 13th century, and was one of the 15 forts fortified by the Genoeses after 1204 AD. When the Venetians expelled Pescatore, the fortress fell into their possession. Then, they restored it and it became the defensive military center of the region. The shape of the fort was asymmetrical pentagon and, like all the Venetian fortresses, it included quartering areas, prisons, churches and a well. Since the early revolutions of the locals, the fortress of Kastelli Kissamos became a target of the rebels. When in 1262 the Cretans, with the help of the Byzantine emperor Michael VIII Palaeologus, rebelled against the Venetians, they tried to occupy the castle, but failed. During the revolutions of 1333 and 1341, the Venetians destroyed the settlement (bourg) that had developed around the fort, but later decided to rebuild it. From then on, the settlement was named Kastelli, like all bourgs on the island. In 1538, the fortress was destroyed by Barbarossa and was repaired in 1554. In 1583, the Castel Chissamo had 845 residents and in 1630 it had 35 cannons. In 1595 it was completely destroyed by an earthquake, but was rebuilt in 1635 by Lorenzo Contarini. In 1646 the Turks besieged the fort, which fell after the betrayal of the commander Giovani Medici, who gave up because the fortress had been severely damaged and most of his soldiers died by plague. The Turks repaired the fort immediately and started using it. In 1692, during the first Cretan revolution under the commands of the Venetian admiral Mochenigo Aloisio, the rebels occupied the fortress, but it lasted for a while. Thus, during the Ottoman occupation of Crete, the fortress was the center of many revolutionary activities. In 1821, the fort was used for imprisoning the Bishop of Kissamos Melchizedek Despotakis. From there, the Turkish mob dragged him to a square, for hanging him. When the revolution was generalized, the 1800 Turks of Kissamos found refuge in the fortress, which was besieged by rebels and two ships coming from Hydra island (near Athens). In February 1823, during the preparation for the landing of the new General Head of the Cretan Revolt, Emmanuel Tombazis, the rebels organized the clearing of Kissamos and Selino provinces, forcing the Turks to seek protection in the fort. Thus, the ship Terpsichore arrived at the port of Drapanias, transferring Tombazis and 600 Greek volunteers from the mainland of Greece. The Greeks besieged the fort till May 25, when the Turks surrendered the fort and their weapons. The Greek flag was raised after centuries in Crete, but it lasted for a while… The Turks moved to Chania, where they regrouped and returned to Kissamos. After a fierce battle, they managed to regain Castelli. In 1825, the fort returned into the hands of 900 Greeks, who came from Monemvasia (Peloponnese). They were initially heading towards Gramvousa fort, but the bad weather and the information that there were only 20 guards in Kissamos, led them to the siege the fortress at Castelli. However, after 3-4 days, 2000 Turks arrived in Castelli and reoccupied the fort. During the great revolution of 1866, the fort was again a target of the rebels. The fort was besieged by the Colonel Vyzantios and the Major Froudarakis, but the siege stopped when the latter was killed. In 1897-8, the story was repeated, but the Turks were rescued by the Great Powers, the “protectors” of the Cretan people. Today, the remains of the fort, most of which are remnants of the Turkish buildings, still stand in some places and remind us of its great past. Kissamos Archaeological Museum The archaeological Museum of Kissamos was founded in 2005 and is housed in the Venetian - Turkish monument known as Dikitirio ("Headquarters"). Its exhibits provide a longitudinal picture of the region's history from prehistory to late antiquity, i.e. the early Christian Times. The exhibition is divided into sections based on chronological and local criteria and covers the ground and first floor of the building. Downstairs, the Minoan findings from the excavations at Nopigia are presented (Geometric period, 9th-8th century BC) and focuses on the historical development of the major cities of western Crete: Polyrinia and Falassarna that flourished in the Hellenistic period (4th-1st century BC). It also presents pottery and ceramic findings from smaller local cities and settlements of the region, Hellenistic inscriptions and sculptures from the area of Kissamos, dating mostly to the Roman period (67 BC - 4th century AD). The first floor is dedicated to the town of Kissamos and the findings from local excavations. Here one can admire mosaic floors with interesting pictorial representations from urban villas of the Greco-roman Kissamos, amphorae and coins coming from trade, findings from workshops, everyday objects and findings from tombs of Falassarna and Polirinia, a burial of the second half of the 4th century BC, from the Roman and early Christian cemetery. Parthenos Monastery, Kissamos The monastery of Parthenos is a modern nunnery dedicated to Life Giving Spring. It was founded in 1905 and was renovated in 1962. Here operated the Urban School of Girls and the first Deaf school in Crete. Elafonissi beach Elafonisi is located 76km west of Chania and 5km south of Chrysoskalitisa Monastery, in the southwesternmost point of Crete. Elafonisi is an oblong, which often "breaks" in two parts by water giving the impression of being a separate island. Elafonisi is a Natura 2000 protected area. The island is full of dunes with sand lilies and jupiners (like-cedars trees). The endangered turtles careta careta and several rare animals nest on the island and it is strictly forbidden to remove any plants, animals and sand from the area. Exotic beaches with white sand and turquoise waters, reminding of the Caribbean, are formed on either sides of the peninsula. The sand is pinkish in many places, taking its color from thousands of broken shells. Near the “breaking” point of the peninsula, the water does not exceed 1m, creating a small lagoon, ideal for children. You can easily cross the lagoon in order to reach the “island”, having your staff with you, because the water is very shallow there. The eastern side of the beach, in front of the lagoon, is well organized and has the most people. There are umbrellas, showers, lifeguards, snack bars and changing rooms. Also, near the beach there is a huge area for parking and, even further, a few rooms to let. Opposedly, the beaches on either sides of the island are less crowded and are the most beautiful, with amazing azure colors. If you want to stay completely secluded or nude, you can walk along the peninsula until you find a quiet cove that you like! There are always many coves available for naturists. You can come by car (1.5 hours) or by bus from Chania. The road to Elafonisi is narrow and full of turns, but the beauty of the landscape is stunning. Moreover there are many options for accommodation and meals available at Chrisoskalitissa village, 5km north. Balos lagoon The famous lagoon of Balos is located approximately 56km northwest of Chania and 17km northwest of Kissamos, formed between the Cape Gramvousa and the small Cape Tigani and below the range of Platiskinos. Balos is surely the mostly photographed beach in Crete, a very favorite subject of all tourist guides for Greece. It is no coincidence that Prince Charles and Princess Diana visited Balos with their private yacht many years ago. Balos is famous for its turquoise waters, the wild natural beauty and the beautiful exotic scenery. During the summer, Balos is visited by thousands of people, who arrive mostly by the ferries running from Kissamos port. If you do not like crowds, you’d better avoid to visit the beach in July and August. Also, a perfect idea is to arrive at Balos in the morning, before the boats arrive from Kissamos. These few hours of remoteness in such a heavenly place will remain etched in your memory forever. The lagoon of Balos has white sand and exotic white, vivid blue and turquoise waters. The sea is very shallow and warm, ideal for young children. In many places the sand has a lovely pinkish color, because of millions of crushed shells. Beyond the rocks at the boundaries of the lagoon, the water is deeper and colder, ideal for a snorkeling. The lagoon and the wider area, with rare species of flora and fauna, are protected under the Natura 2000 program. Eleonora falcons, shags and cormorants nest in the caves of the area. Moreover, the area is a shelter for the protected monk seal and the sea turtle caretta caretta. Despite the protection, a primitive café and umbrellas have appeared on the beach in recent years. You can buy water from there and from the bars of the ferries. Some drawbacks of the lagoon is that the seabed is muddy and the shallow waters facilitate the growth of microorganisms, which sometimes cause an unpleasant smell. Lastly, the locals say that the sea currents transfer rubbish or tar to Balos. Falassarna Beach The exotic beach of Falassarna is located 59km west of Chania and 17km west of Kissamos. It’s located in the western part of Cape Gramvoussa. At the northern end of the beach are the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Falassarna. Falassarna bay is one of the most famous beaches in Greece, which has been awarded as the best beach of Crete and one of the 10 best beaches in Europe in the past. Falassarna spans a huge area and consists actually of five consecutive beaches, with the two most central being the most favorite. The sand in Falassarna is white, making the water color tropical. Indeed, if you're lucky and be here on a day that is not blowing from the west, rare in west Crete, you will be enchanted by the beach and its turquoise waters. The main beach of Falassarna is called Pacheia Ammos (i..e Coarse Sand). It is an exotic beach with a length of 1km and a width of 150m. This beach hosts the most visitors of the area, but because of its length it never seems crowded. The beach offers umbrellas and a few snack bars and cafes where you can get food and water. There are also services for water sports and a beach volley court. There is another long beach north of the main beach having a length of 800m, identical to the main beach, which is broken into several smaller beaches. This bay is divided in half by a sand dune and a few rocks. The beach is more quiet than Pacheia Ammos and offers no facilities. Nearby, there is the chapel of Agia Paraskevi and a spring with fresh water. Further north, near the archaeological site, there is a small cove looking south. It is pebbly and the seabed is rocky. It is a good choice when the winds blow from west or you seek isolation. South of Pacheia Ammos, at Livadi, there is another long beach that has sandy shore and rocky seabed. It is a very good choice for fans of the snorkelling. Livadi is surrounded by a very important wetland with ponds, which host many birds in winter. Even southern, near the small harbor of Limeniskos settlement there is a small pebbly beach, which is a good choice if you do not want to stay remote. The area around Falassarna is magnificent and is a Natura protected region. If you have time and looking for something romantic, you can wait for the sunset, which is considered the best in Crete. How could this not be the best, when being in such an amazing landscape and there is no obstacle between the beach the horizon? When it gets dark, you might be lucky to visit one of the several beach partys organized in Falassarna during summer. One drawback about Falasarna is that it looks west and is usually wavy. However, this is desired by windsurfers. There are also reports that the surrounding greenhouses pollute the sea with fertilizers and trash, which, if being true, is a real shame. If you do not have a mean to get in Falassarna, you can catch the bus from Chania or Kissamos. Independant apartment with private bathroom and shower. The village of Kaloudiana offers mini markets, tavern, kiosk, kafenia, pharmacy and local bus stop. A local buss top is just a few steps away from the apartment. Ancient church next doors.