Rethymno lies to the west of the island between Heraklion and Chania. It appeals to many kinds of visitors with its elegant architecture, cosmopolitan beach resorts, charming port, and secluded coves. The prefecture of Rethymno is a beautiful mixture of Venetian and Ottoman style reflecting the fascinating story of the island. There is so much to see such as the monasteries of Arkadi and Preveli, the Fortezza and the Rimondi Fountain to name but a few. The town of Rethymno has a plethora of shops to choose from whether you're looking for artisan treasures or designer names. And of course, amazing food is never further than a few metres in any direction. For the more adventurous traveller, there's scuba diving, sailing and many other water sports to avail of in this captivating part of Crete.