Start with a coffee under the, centuries-old, plane trees at the picturesque village of Spili. Then, driving through the Kourtaliotiko gorge you can enjoy the incredible view, get a close look of the waterfall and even dip your feet in the cool water. Next is the Preveli Monastery which dates back to the 10th century. The monastery is associated with the struggles for Crete’s independence and, more recently, the WWII when the allies used it as a gateway to the Middle East. If you are in a mood for a swim, the next stop is definitely the village of Plakias. Next is the city of Rethimno which has an intriguing mixture of Venetian and Ottoman architecture and buildings with well-preserved elements of that.