Prevali

From the north coast of Crete at Rethimno, we drove almost due south to the coast and the Monastery at Prevali. Away from the highway, these roads were narrow, frequently hairpinned, and always with the fear of a mad Greek pickup speeding towards you in the middle of the road.

With just one wrong turn through countryside reminiscent of the Lake District, we drove though a picturesque canyon to reach the Monastery - a tranquil site with historic connotations. It was here that British military were harboured during WWII not that could escape to Egypt, a feat commemorated by the gun-rotting Abbot memorial you pass en route. The site itself belies little of this history. The museum on site is devoted to its religious history and it really is in the middle of nowhere.

The return journey took us back through the canyon where we stopped to admire the spectacular views...once we'd overcome to panic of the road system that is.Read more