CHANIA

   The village of Kalives, 18 km outside Chania, is situated at the entrance to Souda Bay. It is a lovely place with its sandy beaches.

   On the eastern side there is a cove called "Maistrali", with a small fishing harbour and taverns.

   The inhabitants tell different stories about the origin of the place. The most likely explanation is the following: The farmers of the surrounding mountain villages decided to use the area as a base for their business. The flat wide plain with its two rivers, running with water even in summer, offered good prospects for successful agriculture. Instead of travelling back daily to their villages, the farmers built small huts in which to stay overnight. The Greek name for huts is "Kalives", which gave the village its name.

   The most beautiful spot is the village square. Under the majestic plane tree old and young people sit with a cup of coffee. Unfortunately the old Cretan cafenions have vanished.

   Beside the square is the church with its Byzantine dome and the bell tower, recognizable from afar. In the church one can admire modern frescoes. The world seems to be in order in Kalives. Busy talking and doing crochet work, the women sit for hours outside their houses, while the men sit under the broad plane tree.

   With its local shops, mini markets, almost a dozen tavernas plus a number of small hotels, and a choice of cosmopolitan bars or ethnic cafenions, Kalives has much to recommend.

   In the nearby countryside one can discover numerous tiny villages in idyllic rural settings.