The beaches of Komos is famous for its turtles. These are protected and the beaches close at 6pm. The turtle eggs are protected by cages and you must not disturb them.
Faestos ancient site
The palace of Phaestos stands on a hill overlooking the eastern Messara Plain with a wonderful panorama view of the plain to the Asteroussia Mountains and the Ida Range. According to mythology, King Radamanthes, son of Zeus and brother of King Minos, ruled over the city with the same name and over the south of Crete, 4000 years ago.
The building of the first palace took place in 1800 BC and was destroyed in 1700 BC by a huge earthquake. The new palace was built on the foundations of the old one in 1600 BC, but was smaller. A natural disaster completely destroyed the complex in 1450 BC and it was never rebuilt. Most of the ruins, which are visible today, are from the new palace. Unlike Knossos, no reconstruction has taken place on this site.
The most famous find at Phaestos is the Phaestos disc, which until today the script has still not been deciphered.
It will take you about 30 minutes to get to here from the villa and is adjacent to Ag Triada. Do both on the same day, followed by a swim at Komos or one of the other local beaches such as Kalamaki..
Agia Triada ancient site
Agia Triada is 3 km from the Minoan Palace of Phaestos to which it was originally connected by a small paved road. The Minoan name of the site, and its function, is not known, and the present name comes after the small Byzantine church on the site. The proximity to Phaestos, a few minutes walk, may suggest that it was a military function overlooking the opposite direction to Phaestos across the plain and costal areas.
The Minoan palace was built around 1600 BC, at the height of prosperity of Palace of Phaestos. It is a simpler layout when compared to other Minoan palaces and was believed to be inhabited until the destruction of the Minoan civilisation in 1450 bc. Following this it was rebuilt as a temple and was in intermittent use until roman times. Several important archaeological finds have been made at Ag Triada including the "Prince's Cup". Also found were 19 bronze ingots weighing 29kg each dating from prehistoric times. The site is also famous for its water and ducting system, one of the best preserved in Crete.
Ag Triada lies 18 km from the villa. on the far side of Timbaki and will take about 30 minutes to get there.
Spili fountains and village
Spili is a roman mountain town that is unique in that it has the lion's head spings dating all the way back to biblical times. It is rumoured that these have never run dry! It also has a monestary, and many shops. In the spring it is the place to visit to view the mountain flowers, and thoughout the year it is the home to many species of bird. Spili is about 15km from the Villa and it will take about 20 minutes to get there.
Gortys ancient site
The excavation site of Gortyna lies on the main road through the Messara Plain, not far from Mires.
The widespread ruins of Gortyna are the remaining witnesses of one of the largest cities of Crete. A walk through the area to the ruins standing in olive groves on both sides of the road, show very clearly the size of the city. The area was inhabited in the Stone Age but the height of power was during Roman times when Gortyna was the capital of Crete. It maintained its power until 824 AD when it was occupied and destroyed by the Saracens.
One of the most important finds is from 500 BC, the Dorian social laws, carved into stone in the Dorian dialect, and which can be seen today behind the "Odeon". Also important are the ruins of the Titus church, a 3-naved basilica with domed roof, which was built in 600 AD. It is one of the oldest and most important monuments of Crete. The basilica of Agios Titus was the seat of the first bishops of the Cretan church.
Gortys is about 30km from the villa and will take about 45 minutes to get there.
Preveli monastery
The Preveli Monastery of St. John the Theologian comprises two main building complexes, the ruined Lower Monastery of St. John the Baptist, and the currently operational Upper (Rear) Monastery of St. John the Theologian.
The monastery was probably founded in the Middle Ages, during the Venetian occupation of Crete, by a feudal lord named Prevelis. It developed over several centuries as a religious and cultural centre for the local population. After the Ottoman Turkish occupation of the island, Abbot Melchissedek Tsouderos led a group of rebels in the Greek War of Independence in 1821, one result of which was that the monastery was destroyed, but later rebuilt. In 1866 and 1878, the monastery was again active in organising rebellions against the Turks, which helped contribute to Crete's eventual independence and then its political union with Greece.
In the Battle of Crete in 1941, the monastery helped supply British, Australian and New Zealand troops on the island, and became a place of shelter for them. A group of Australian soldiers protected by the monastery managed to secure their rescue by submarine from the island at Preveli Beach. After this was discovered, the Lower Monastery was destroyed by German forces.
The upper monastery contains numerous religious relics and icons, and many of its buildings, now heavily restored, are open to the public. There are also a number of monuments to the work of the monastery during the Second World War, many of them financed by rescued Australian former soldiers. The town of Prevelly in Western Australia was named after the monastery.
Rethymnon town and fort!
Rethymnon became a city during the Venetian occupation. The Venetians needed an port for their operations for their ships travelling from Heraklion to Chania. They also needed an administrative center, so Rethymnon became the third largest town in Crete and an important cultural center. Rethymnon was destroyed in 1567 when Algerian pirates conquered, robbed and burned it. The Turks then took over Rethymnon in 1646. After many revolutions Rethymnon was captured by the Ottoman empire in 1898. In the last 25 years, Rethymnon has seen a significant growth in its economy with the development of tourism and culture, and by the expansion of the university, now one of the most respected in Greece. The fortress and old town are particularly worth visiting. It takes about 50 minutes to get to Rythymnon from the villa.
The beaches of Komos is famous for its turtles. These are protected and the beaches close at 6pm. The turtle eggs are protected by cages and you must not disturb them.
Faestos ancient site
Agia Triada ancient site
Spili fountains and village 
The widespread ruins of Gortyna are the remaining witnesses of one of the largest cities of Crete. A walk through the area to the ruins standing in olive groves on both sides of the road, show very clearly the size of the city. The area was inhabited in the Stone Age but the height of power was during Roman times when Gortyna was the capital of Crete. It maintained its power until 824 AD when it was occupied and destroyed by the Saracens.