Known as the «Nymph of the Libyan Sea» and “Land of the Sun”, Paleochora is among the most beautiful resort-towns of Crete. Nestled between two bays, it is a place of enchantment. Beneath its Venetian castle lies the imposing church of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. The church celebrates the Annunciation annually on the 25th of March. Marking also the beginning of spring, the festival takes place in a joyous atmosphere with the participation of numerous musicians. Known for their hospitality and civility, the locals maintain their traditional customs, music, dances, and songs. Visitors are received with renowned local hospitality.
In Crete and in the festivals to honor the memory of the saint-protector of each village, the people of the village organize a feast after liturgy at the church with traditional dances, songs, and abundant food, while inviting anyone that wishes to participate to join. Some of the best-known traditional dishes of Crete are the chochli, snails cooked in various ways, one of the best-known being boubouristi fried in olive oil, the marathopita (fennel-pie), the mizithropitakia, chickpeas with pork, the famous gamopilafo, boureki, kolokythopatatopita (zucchini-potato-pie), the delicious singlino, kolokythanthi, sfakia-pita (very thin fried pie stuffed with xinomizithra cheese or anthotiro cheese, often accompanied by honey or walnuts), the antikristo (large pieces of skewered meat roasted slowly over coals for 5-6 hours), the classical kokoras krasatos, horta, kalitsounia, kreatotourta, makarouni skioufichta, salad with dakos, and lamb with yogurt.
