CHANIA

   The Rodopou Peninsula, reaching northwards far into the Cretan Sea, separates the Bay of Chania from that of Kissamos.The peninsular is 18 km long and 5 km wide.

   At the southern end, where the few tiny villages can be found, the roads are developed. The rest of the peninsula is mostly inhabited by shepherds and has kept its original wildness and seclusion.

   Just outside of Kolimbari, where the peninsula begins, are the interesting Monastery of Gonia and the Orthodox Academy of Crete.

   Beyond Gonia the road leads to the village of Afrati and further downwards to a nice bay and a cave with the name Ellinospilion.

   After Rodopos the undeveloped road winds its way through wild rock formations through a lonely, high valley towards the north. At the northwest point stands the Diktyna shrine on a rock plateau, to the right of a wonderful bay.

   Also at Rodopos begins the hiking path, which leads north to the Agios Ioannis Chapel, through the foothills of the Onichas and its west flank and back to Rodopos (5-hour walk).

   The chapel stands in a depression in a valley, which opens to the sea. The 29 August is the religious festival of the diocese. Thousands of people walk for almost 3 hours to Agios Ioannis, which is consecrated to St. John the Baptist. Blankets are taken for the night. The asceticism, lasting for one day and one night, is in commemoration of the beheading of St. John.