The Syntopia Blog

Natural High: Explore the White Mountains

19/03/2020

Blessed with high summits and spectacular gorges, the White Mountains of Chania province (Lefka Ori in Greek) offer stunning hiking experiences in any season. And if wild, pristine and rugged is your thing, experiencing Crete’s most famous mountain range is a must. Boasting more than 30 separate summits over 2000 metres, with the highest, Pachnes,...Read More

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activities, Crete, hiking, Lefka Ori, mountain, nature, what to do

Arkadi: explore a sacred monastery

18/02/2020

Just a 25-minute drive from The Syntopia Hotel, Arkadi Monastery is one of the most important historical sites in Crete. Steeped in history (the monastery dates back to the 13th century) this is a place where the echoes of the past still sound. For Cretans today the monastery is a place of pilgrimage, and has...Read More

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Hike Samaria: the iconic Cretan challenge

03/02/2020

The Samaria Gorge, Crete’s most famous hiking route is a ‘must-do’ for tens of thousands of visitors each year. The most popular months – July and August – will see a thousand people a day file down the 12.8 km gorge. The whole walk is 16km, including the last leg, to the village of Agia...Read More

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Explore Hidden Crete: The Amari Valley

29/01/2020

The Amari valley is one of Crete’s best kept secrets. And guess what? It’s right on Syntopia’s doorstep. A gorgeous 30 minute drive south, skirting Lake Potamos, takes you through one of Crete’s most beautiful landscapes to get to the valley – gentle at first, with tiny roadside villages, but as the road weaves its...Read More

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Amari, Crete, nature, villages

Climb Psiloritis: the ultimate hike

16/12/2019

Crete’s largest mountain dominates Rethymno province’s eastern edge. No mountain in Crete comes more majestic than Psiloritis, with its legends dating back thousands of years. Also known as Mount Ida, for many, ascending to its 2456-metre summit is the ultimate Cretan adventure. Its lower slopes and foothills also provide stunning and more accessible hiking opportunities....Read More

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Rethymno: the perfect destination for couples

20/11/2019

Romantic Rethymno offers couples something special – a Cretan riviera for play and pleasure; elegant, arty, fun and sophisticated. There’s simply nowhere like it. Chania has its charms, bustling Heraklion too, but if there is one Cretan metropolis made for two people in love – it’s Rethymno. And it starts with the beach. A seemingly...Read More

Explore, Taste, Τhe Syntopia Life

Three traditional villages within 30 minutes of The Syntopia

08/11/2019

Taking the smaller roads south into Rethymno’s rural hinterland makes for a delightful day out. Here are three of the closest and most interesting villages a stone’s throw from the hotel. Chromonastiri Just 11km south from The Syntopia’s front door Chromonastiri is a lovely tranquil spot. Park on the outskirts and head to the tiny...Read More

Explore, Taste

Crete, gastronomy, local culture, what to do

Treat yourself: Syntopia’s sensational suites revealed

05/11/2019

With 41 square metres to rest, pamper yourself and play in, our spacious suites offer the ultimate Syntopia experience. Incorporating the hotel’s hallmark boho/ethnic design and a restful colour scheme of pastel creams and grey-blue, with light timber veneered flooring (delightfully smooth for barefeet), Syntopia’s suites were conceived for comfort and maximum relaxation. A super...Read More

Τhe Syntopia Life

48 Hours in Rethymno

06/10/2019

The city of Rethymno offers discerning visitors a Cretan experience like no other. Chic, elegant, arty and sophisticated, these are just a few of the delights to savour. Day 1 09.30 Rimondi Fountain Start a visit to the Old Town here beside an iconic Venetian landmark. Next door the Cafe Galero is a good place...Read More

Explore, Taste

activities, gastronomy, local culture, Rethymno, what to do

Life’s a beach: an insider’s guide to Rethymno’s best

18/09/2019

Rethymno province’s southern shores feature some of the best beaches in Crete, and a glorious drive through one of Crete’s most evocative landscapes gets you there in under an hour. For a taste of the exotic, head to to Preveli off the road to Plakias, set below the ancient clifftop monastery of Preveli. With its...Read More

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beaches, Rethymno, south Rethymno

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Natural High: Explore the White Mountains

Arkadi: explore a sacred monastery

Hike Samaria: the iconic Cretan challenge

Explore Hidden Crete: The Amari Valley

Climb Psiloritis: the ultimate hike

Rethymno: the perfect destination for couples

Three traditional villages within 30 minutes of The Syntopia

Treat yourself: Syntopia’s sensational suites revealed

48 Hours in Rethymno

Life’s a beach: an insider’s guide to Rethymno’s best

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