CAR ROUTE 42

Gazi (Heraklion) – Panormos

Ook beschikbaar in het Nederlands

What makes Routaki route 42 – ‘Margarites’ so special:

  • Shortly after starting, you’ll enjoy a fantastic view of the capital, Heraklion.
  • Drive through rugged terrain with beautiful canyon effects.
  • Various visitation opportunities in the Cretan mountain village of Anogeia.
  • Explore the woodcarving museum in Axos.
  • Pass by a ‘Kazani,’ where Cretan schnapps Raki is made in November.
  • Option to descend into the Melidoni cave.
  • Take a free tour of the olive factory owned by the Parachakis family.
  • Visit the picturesque village of Margarites with its numerous pottery products.
  • Conclude your journey in the cozy fishing village of Panormos, featuring delightful terraces.

[ Buy on VoiceMap] or

Purchase this route
while driving through Margarites, Crete
traffic signs that are shot at. very typical in this part of the route

What makes Routaki route 42 - 'Margarites' so special:

  • Shortly after starting, you'll enjoy a fantastic view of the capital, Heraklion.
  • Drive through rugged terrain with beautiful canyon effects.
  • Various visitation opportunities in the Cretan mountain village of Anogeia.
  • Explore the woodcarving museum in Axos.
  • Pass by a 'Kazani,' where Cretan schnapps Raki is made in November.
  • Option to descend into the Melidoni cave.
  • Take a free tour of the olive factory owned by the Parachakis family.
  • Visit the picturesque village of Margarites with its numerous pottery products.
  • Conclude your journey in the cozy fishing village of Panormos, featuring delightful terraces.
Obtain route 42
while driving through Margarites, Crete
traffic signs that are shot at. very typical in this part of the route
the village square of Anogeia

 

This route starts in Gazi, just west of the capital Heraklion. A monumental stone serves as a reference point (see the starting point on Google Maps). The idea behind this Routaki route is that it takes up an entire day.

You drive westward, with the typical Cretan village of Anogeia as the main destination. The route meanders through valleys towards the village of Axos. Next, you arrive in Melidoni, where you have the option to visit the cave of the same name. The next stop is the pottery village of Margarites. The route concludes on the north coast in Panormos, where you can enjoy the beach or a terrace. From there, you can easily take the highway back to your accommodation.

Well before reaching Anogeia, various RAGiFs [Routaki Audio Guide Info Files] have explained what you have encountered or seen along the way. This is the special feature of a Routaki route; you receive the right information at the right moment. For example, you receive information about the city of Heraklion when you depart. And when passing by a cemetery, you'll be explained why the lid on a sarcophagus is not completely closed or why houses are generally not built all at once. Your own smartphone 'talks' and 'plays' as a guide about items you encounter along the way or that are generally important for Crete.

Invest in this route
what makes the Cretan graves so special
be careful while driving to not hit any sheep
the olive harvest in November and December on Crete

You continue driving, following the route instructions narrated and displayed by your own smartphone or tablet. Routaki routes utilize the VoiceMap app. Through this GPS interactive software, you always know where you are, and the software knows what it should play or display.

And all of this offline. You download the app for free, create an account, and purchase this route. The route is downloaded and remains available to you forever. You can even listen to it in advance in the audio-book version for some anticipation.

The spoken texts, as well as the images, ensure that you drive around with a secure feeling, and you realize that it's nearly impossible to get lost. Even sharp turns or road hazards are mentioned. If you deviate from the route, the app will notify you so you can return to the route.

However, you can also interrupt or stop the route whenever you want. You can take a break, go for a swim, take a forest walk, or continue the route on another day—whatever you prefer. If you want to resume the route, simply press the 'Resume' button, and the route will be displayed again.

[ Buy on VoiceMap] or

Purchase this self guided tour
distil the raki is happening in the november month

The typical Cretan village Anogeia is a whole story in itself. Here, you'll encounter very few people with surnames ending in -akis because even the Ottoman Turks couldn't conquer this village. The route winds through the valleys, and the stripes on the road turn yellow, as it often snows here in winter.

From Anogeia, you drive leisurely to Axos, where you can visit a unique woodcarving museum. On the continuation of the route, you'll come across the so-called Kazanis, where raki is distilled during the November months. The route leads to Melidoni, where you have the choice to visit the cave with the same name.

On the way back, the Parachakis family is happy to give you a tour of their olive factory. In one of the many pottery shops in Margarites, if you ask politely, you can even try your hand at crafting a pot. We've chosen to conclude this route in the cozy fishing village of Panormos, with its beautiful beaches and charming terraces overlooking the harbor.

visit a unique woodcarving museum in the village of Axos
the Melidoni cave with its tragic story

This route features audio files about Heraklion, Cretan house constructions resulting from regular earthquakes, family traditions, the kafeneons in each village, the history of Anogeia with its renowned singers, and the differences between Ouzo, Metaxa, and Raki. Explanations are provided about olive oil production and the events in the Melidoni cave. In Margarites, the Karakalou Monastery is also mentioned, definitely worth a visit.

In total, there are 24 different RAGiF 's in route 42, in addition to all the audio explaining the route. The route is up-to-date and extensively narrated, with images for indication or clarification.

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VoiceMap app beschikbaar in de app store.

Install the free VoiceMap app and find this route among the more than 1,400 available routes.

VoiceMap app beschikbaar in Google play

Some useful tips:

  • Bring your smartphone battery charger.
  • Maintain an average speed of 55-60 km.
  • Wear appropriate clothing for churches and monasteries.
  • Purchase the correct language version of the route (Dutch or English).
  • Ensure that the route is NOT set to the audio-book setting.
  • If you have one, bring a smartphone holder
  • Disable automatic screen turn-off (don’t forget to put it back on afterwards)
the region where is route 42 is taking place

Other Routaki routes:

de mooie Vier martelaren kerk in Rethymnon is onderdeel van de stadswandeling

City walk Rethymnon:
The Venetian harbor and old town of Rethymnon  a self exploring audio tour

het toegangsbord van pottenbakkers dorp Margarites

Route 56 - 'Lassithi'
A Scenic Drive to Discover Zeus’ Birth Cave on the Lassithi Plateau

zicht over Mirabello baai met Spinalonga in zicht

Route 58 - 'Spinalonga'
Historical Hues; baffling stories about Milatos Cave, Spinalonga and Elounda

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