Travel Review -- Fodele village, Crete (Creta)

Fodele (pronounced Fother-lay) is a beautiful village approximately 30km from Iraklion going towards Rethymno. It is 3km inland from Fodele beach itself, but the setting is out of this world. It has it all.  There is a small river that runs through the village and you can go for a river/nature walk, which takes you up a small hill and back through a residential area of little side streets and back into the village.

River running through the village

The village is a working agricultural village, olives and figs. The residents have sheep, goats, chickens, dogs, cats and rabbits in little pens in their gardens.

Smallholding

Ready for picking

Our apartments overlooked mountains and mandarin groves from our living room balcony, as in the first picture.

Mandarin Groves

 You could almost reach out and touch them and the smell was lovely.  The ladies in the street will happily give you some oranges they've picked off their trees. When you buy something from one of the stalls they'll often give you an orange. Each year they have an orange festival.

The main village street itself was about 1 mile long and had several shops selling locally made tablecloths, jewellery, honey and olive oil.  Also a few tavernas, bistro's and restaurants. We tried several of them and our favourite was one run by "Smoothy George" called Domenico's.

Me and Smoothy George

He had a vast menu and included lots of Greek specialities. He gave us several to try and didn't charge us. We tried stuffed grape vine leaves "Dolmades", served with Tsatsiki. Souvlaki, which are like skewered meat kebabs covered in lovely spices. Also loukoumades, which are like little doughnuts covered in icing sugar and cinammon, and the local honey as a sauce. They were absolutely delicious! I'm sure none of it was very low fat, but it was delicious!

Loukoumades

Feta cheese salad

Dolmades

El Greco

Fodele is also the birthplace of  "El Greco" the artist. Famous for his paintings of religious icons. He was said to be born in Fodele, but lived for a while in Italy and because they couldn't pronounce his name they just called him El Greco "The Greek".

If you are staying in the village, they'll class you as a resident and if there is a wedding you'll get an invite. We had an invite to one and they're not to be missed. There were bench tables laid up in the village square. Each family who came to the wedding brought wine from their local village (an acquired taste sometimes). The feast of goat meat and rice was served up with fresh fruit also served. Then it's followed by Greek Dancing which was fascinating to watch. All the men, women and children get up and dance. 

Greek Dancing

The Bride and Groom Arrive 

It was great sharing a meal with new friends. We were with Greeks, Albanians, English and Zimbabweans. A real mix but all great company and such fun. 




From our balcony in our bedroom, we overlooked the local Greek Orthodox church, who's bells woke you up at 730am on Sunday morning and the service was then run through loud hailers for those elderly residents up the hillside who could not get to church. 

We  thoroughly fell in love with Crete and it's people. We travelled to Chania on the Western side of Crete, which is a beautiful resort set around a Venetian harbour. Full of great restaurants, shops, museums and a lovely little book shop. 

Chania

Also we went to Iraklio the Capital (Heraklion), which was a good place for visiting the great museums and shopping. It's an industrial city but still beautiful in parts.

Heraklion

The beaches of Crete are beautiful, with one close by being Aghia Pelagia. The season starts in April and runs through to the end of October. 

So whether you've been to Greece or not before, give Crete a try. We'll be going back again this year as there is so much else there we haven't seen, plus we fell in love with the people.

Books set in Crete

The Island - Victoria Hislop
Based on the Island of Spinalonga just off the coast near Elounda. Fishermans boats will take you over to the Island. 
It's a beautiful setting near Elounda, with the little tiny village of Plaka with great restaurants where you can sit and watch the ferries travel over to the Island which is very close to the shoreline. 

Zorba The Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis
Set before the start of the First World War, this moving fable sees a young English writer set out to Crete to claim a small inheritance. But when he arrives, he meets Alexis Zorba, a middle-aged Greek man with a zest for life. Zorba has had a family and many lovers, has fought in the Balkan wars, has lived and loved - he is a simple but deep man who lives every moment fully and without shame. As their friendship develops, the Englishman is gradually won over, transformed and inspired along with the reader.

Holidays, holidays, holidays.

I don't know about anyone else but I live for my holidays. That's the only reason I go to work. Well one of the main ones.

I used to be a travel agent and holiday several times a year but once I left this tapered off. After I lost a good friend to cancer a few years ago, I decided that life was for living, so decided I would save and save and we would take as many holidays as we could fit in.

I have been very fortunate this year. Our first trip was to London for World Book Night, so we decided to stay the night and have a couple of days away. London is only an hours train drive away from home, but still a great break, as it is a wonderful city.

Many good books written based on London. For Harry Potter lovers, Diagon Alley lies somewhere along Charing Cross Road, between a book shop and a music shop. Also the train left from Kings Cross station.
Numerous films were made in London. Notting Hill being an obvious one. This is a great location full of little market stalls and wonderful quirky shops. Great atmosphere.

My friend at work has an apartment in Crete, so that was our holiday in April. I combined this with a visit to a very dear school friend. This made our holiday.

Aghia Pelaghia Beach.

 

 

 

 

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Crete is a most beautiful Island and home to some well written books.
The Island by Victoria Hislop is one of them, and depicts a beautiful island.
The 1964 movie "Zorba the Greek" with Anthony Quinn, was also filmed in Crete.



May was the month for the Royal Windsor Tattoo, held in the grounds of Windsor Castle. This was another weekend away, this time with my parents too. We stayed in a wonderful hotel in Sunningdale Park near Ascot, which was set in beautiful grounds. The evening was spent at the Tattoo, which is a military festival, with lots of horses involved, and numerous small shops all around the park which mainly related to horses and all things horsey. It was a great weekend. I love going away with my parents as they are good fun.

I haven't found many books written about Windsor or set in Windsor, but Shakespeare did write "The Merry Wives of Windsor".
Not many films appear to have been made here either. Some of the Harry Potter movies were made in the area, along with numerous TV series like Agatha Christies "Poirot".

June was the month of our 10th wedding anniversary. To celebrate we booked a Cruise with Royal Caribbean Cruises on the Adventure of the Seas.

Our itinerary took us to some wonderful places.
We started off in Malaga in Spain, and cruised onto Valencia in Spain where we took a hop on hop off bus tour around the city and visited the wonderful Arts and Sciences building which housed the Oceanographic Aquarium, which is the 3rd largest in the world. It was truly amazing. Fantastic place to take children if ever you're there.

From there we sailed onto the wonderful country of Italy. This was a country I had never visited before and was very excited. We first went to Civitavecchia, and took the train into Rome, where we took another hop on hop off bus which took us around the main sites. We saw the Trevi fountain, the Vatican, The Roman Forum and The Colloseum.

I would love to go back to Rome again and stay for a few days. We were only there for a busy full day and it was very hot!

Many books are set in Rome. The Borgias, Angels and Demons by Dan Brown and many many more. It's a great setting for some good authors. Numerous films have been set in Rome. Among them, Eat Pray Love; Da Vinci Code; Angels and Demons; The Omen; Oceans Twelve.

After Rome we sailed onto Livorno and took a bus into Florence. This has to be one of the most beautiful places I have been. I had a crook neck at the end of the day from all the looking up you do! The beautiful Ponte Vecchia Bridge, the Duomo Cathedral. So many wonderful buildings and lovely architecture. I loved it. Again I'd like to go back for longer and when it's not so warm.

Books set in Florence include, Hannibal; Portrait of a Lady; The Enchantress of Florence. Movies made in Florence include, Portrait of a Lady; Hannibal; Room with a view; part of Under The Tuscan Sun.

We then sailed on to the beautiful island of Corsica. This island has to have some of the most stunning beaches and seas in Europe. Crystal blue water and powder white sand. I felt a little let down by the people we came in touch with as they were not over friendly. I speak a little French and used it when able. My husband doesn't and they just made out they didn't understand English, when they obviously did. I still think it's a beautiful place, but some of the islanders need to learn a few people skills.

A really famous film made in Corsica, was the 1962 version of The Longest Day. It was said that a man approached Daryl F Zannuck, stating he represented the beach owners, and that if he didn't pay him $15,000 they would drive modern cars along the beach. Zannuck paid up to prevent this happening but later discovered it was a scam as there were no private beaches in Corsica! He eventually won damages after an 8 year lawsuit.

The cruise then was almost at the end. We had a day at sea which went so quickly as there was so much to do on board. We arrived back in Malaga and then flew back to Birmingham. I managed to get my husband hooked on cruising which was my intention. He's even looking at the brochures for next year!

They always say "It's not what you know but who you know". I have friends in Texas, USA and one of them works for American Airlines. He gets friends and family tickets on the airline, so we are fortunate enough to be going to Texas in November which I am very excited about. We will be there for Thanksgiving which is exciting. I know we shouldn't celebrate it as Brits, but it's still a fun time nevertheless. I love getting together with my friends over there, so it is going to be such fun. I will be blogging about it when I get home.

Well I hope I haven't bored you about my love of travelling. I must go now as I am off to water my parents garden as they are........ yes you've guessed it, on a cruise! Yes I've got them hooked too!

Enjoy your holidays everyone, wherever they may take you, far and wide. If you are with your loved ones even better.

I'm home and lots of books to review!

Well I'm home now and back down to earth with a bump! At least I don't have to work until Sunday and I'm not looking forward to that as lots of changes have taken place whilst I've been away.

Finally finished reading "One Day" and also 3 other books, so have some book reviews to do, but unfortunately have the washing to do first! My kindle battery held up really well and isn't even 1/2 used! Very impressed.

Made some good friends whilst in Crete and learnt some Greek whilst I was at it.

Will be posting my reviews as soon as I've got some time spare.

Kindle loaded & bags packed!

Well I am off on a long needed holiday tomorrow, to Fodele in Crete.

Photo courtesy of www.myholidayhomeincrete.co.uk

I have loaded my kindle and have more books on it than I can read in a week, and have added a mixture of genres. Looking forward to sitting on the roof terrace of our apartment and reading. Or sitting on the beach if the weather is nice enough.

I'll also be meeting up with an old schoolfriend that I haven't seen in nearly 30 yrs. She has been living in Crete for over 20 years and is married to a Cretan and has children who speak both Greek and English.

Will be studying my guide books closely.

photo couresty of www.freedigitalphotos.net

When double checking with my husband that he had both parts of his driving licence, his answer was " I don't need mine as you're down as the only driver!" Great! Especially when I read that they drive on the right, but sometimes the left. They don't indicate and they just pull up at the side of the road to chat to their friends. Mmmm not sure that I'm going to like this.

Photo courtesy of www.fotosearch.com

Anyway, if I've read loads of books whilst I'm away I will have lots of reviews to do on my return.

I will start running competitions when I get back, for a book giveaway, for those who can get me the most new followers. All you will have to do is to get your friend, or write yourself on who you have recommended as a follower and I will then give a book away.   Title to be decided upon my return, so watch this space!

Happy reading dear friends and I'll be back in a week or so's time.

photo courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net

What I'm reading now.

Still ploughing my way through One Day by David Nicholls. I'm not normally such a slow reader, but I am still struggling with this. Will see it through though.

Also, in anticipation of my holiday on Wednesday next week, I am reading the Berlitz pocket guide to Crete.

Also having to read the Lonely Planet Guide to Crete too, just in case I miss anything important.

I have an addiction to travel books and buy one for everywhere I travel to.

Does anyone else always buy a travel guide, or do you rely on your instincts and tips from visitors when you arrive?

Will give my thoughts on Crete when I come back. Looking forward to a week away from the stresses and strains of work.

Eating out and Dog Racing

Well I feel really bad, because yet again I am not cooking.

Last night, we met up with the lady who we are renting our apartment from in Crete and she was telling us about the village, and the typical Greek tavernas, and the colourful locals. It has made us even more excited about it, to be living in a typical Greek village and not in a place full of tourists. Apparantly the tourists turn up in the daytime as it was the birthplace of El Greco, the painter & sculptor (Δομήνικος Θεοτοκόπουλος)  Thats his full name in Greek,Doménikos Theotokópoulos. He was born in Fodele, Crete at the time it was part of the Republic of Venice. Therefore we are going to be out during the day, and go back to the village when all the tourists have gone home and mix with all the locals. My Greek isn't very good though!

Back to the subject of not cooking. We met her in the pub and stayed for the carvery, which at £5.99 is a bargain.

Tonight we are going Greyhound Racing in Peterborough with a gang from work, and we are eating there as well. I could get used to not cooking! I only bet £1 a race, not being a gambler, and always go for the dog with the nicest name. Its a great night out for a gang of friends. So no more booking reading for me tonight, although I am really getting into my book now and am about 60% of the way through it.

Will update with my winnings, or more likely my losses tomorrow.

Countdown to Fodele, Crete

Well only a couple of weeks to go, before we go off on our winter travels to Fodele, Crete.

http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-east/fodele.htm.

We are staying at a fantastic apartment belonging to a friend.

http://myholidayhomeincrete.co.uk/default.aspx

I can't post any photos as they are all copyrighted, but will have plenty of my own to post when we get home.

I also discovered at the same time, that one of my schoolfriends who I'd been corresponding with, lives about an hour or so down the road from the village. I am so excited to be going to see her. I thought she lived on mainland Greece. We were friends for many years.

We're meeting my friend who's apartment it is, at the pub tonight, to go over final details as she is off there next week. I'm hoping she leaves us with some nice weather. It's about 20' there at the moment.