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Excursions
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As the maisonnettes are just 400 meters from the nearest entrance to the National Road, from here the whole West of  Crete reveals itself for exploration.
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Falassarna
is the name of an ancient settlement at Cape Koutri on Crete's west coast, by the sourthern end of the big Gramvoussa peninsula and by the northern edge of the bay of Livadi.
The name today stands for the 3 kms long beach that frames the bay.
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The wind from the sea formed it from sandstone, and at some places one can still find some odd remnants of the former sandstone rocks.
The last kilometers of the way to Falassarna are not easy to find. One first has to cross the town of Kastelli Kissamos and to pass it's two ports, until the world seems to end.
After turning left, one will reach the village of Platanos, and will have to search for one of the signs pointing to Falassarna. Some of them are hidden between high grass.
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The efforts will pay as above the bay, unique views of the sea and the surrounding mountains will open. The beach anyway ranks as one of Crete's finest.
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Road distance: 41 kms *)
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The Gorge of Samaria
begins by the southern edge of the high plateau of Omalos in the White Mountains ("Lefka Ori"), some 42 kms South of Hania.
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The entrance at 1,127 meters above sea level is called the Wooden Stairs ("Xyloskala"), and overtowered by Mt. Gingilos (2,080 meters) which ranks as Crete's most beautiful mountain.
A path leads down the 16 kms long gorge, crossing the island's largest nature preserve.
It passes the abandoned village of Samaria, and by the gorge's southern exit the Iron Gate ("Sideroportes") where the rocky walls form a corridor of only 2 meters width.
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Another 2 kms South there is the old fishing village of Aghia Roumeli where one can have a swim in the Libyan Sea by the beach of the ancient town of Tarra, or relax in one of the tavernas while waiting for the boat that connects Paleohora and Soughia to Hora Sfakion.
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Road distance: 45 kms *)
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Elafonissi
means "Stag Island". There are no stags on Crete anymore since long, but the small island by the south-western edge of the big island still exists.
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A reef of red coral connects the two islands, while the neighbouring coastline consists from fine white sand.
The wind and the waves transport plenty of this sand to the top of the reef during springtime, and in late summer at low tide, one can walk from one island to the other on dry foot.
The winter storms will then clean the reef's edges again and allow the corals to continue growing until next year's springtime.
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The reef with it's pink edges, the neighbouring white beaches, and the blue sea around make almost a South Sea paradise. Only palm trees are missing, there are shady pine trees instead.
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Road distance: 60 kms *)
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*) All data show the shortest respective road distance from the Tavronitis Maisonnettes
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