A 7-kilometer (4-mile) drive from Gavalochori, Armenoi (Αρμένοι) is home to many mature plane trees that shade much of the village. It also has springs that run through channels that crisscross the village and provide water for irrigation. The village has about a dozen tavernas, one of which is the Tzitzikas Taverna, located in a shady spot next to one of the water channels. Adjacent to this taverna is the trailhead of a pleasant walking trail adjacent to an irrigation canal that is a particularly lovely place for a walk in the spring. Check out the village of Armenoi here.
Vryses (Βρύσες) is the site of the Apokoronas municipal government, of which Gavalochori is a part. It is a large village that has several amenities, including tavernas, shops, a bank, a police station, and a school. The village largely serves as a traffic junction, with most visitors passing through the village on their way to the Samaria Gorge or to the south coast. You probably won’t want to spend any time here unless you have need of the amenities available. The Voutakis River flows through the village, providing a picturesque setting for several tavernas that are located under the plane trees that line the river. Vryses is 8.3 kilometers (5 miles) from Gavalochori. More information can be found here.
Not far from Vryses is the Dourakis Winery, located in the foothills of the White Mountains. The winery was started by Andreas Dourakis, who studied winemaking in Germany and worked in wineries in Greece and elsewhere before starting his own. The winery offers various events such as tastings and cooking lessons that can be booked online through its website. The gallery space that is part of the winery can be booked for weddings, christenings, and other events. The winery is 12½ kilometers (7½ miles) from Gavalochori. You can access more information here.
Maza (Μάζα) is a very small village 12 kilometers (7 miles) from Gavalochori. It is definitely worth a visit because of its Byzantine church from the 14th century, the Church of Saint Nicholas. Inside the church are amazingly preserved frescoes covering the walls and ceiling that tell the story of Saint Nicholas. The village also is home to the Costas Kafeneio, which serves outstanding traditional food. The taverna owner holds the key to the church and will let you in to take a look if it is not open. More information about Maza can be accessed here.
A 7-kilometer (4-mile) drive from Gavalochori, Armenoi (Αρμένοι) is home to many mature plane trees that shade much of the village. It also has springs that run through channels that crisscross the village and provide water for irrigation. The village has about a dozen tavernas, one of which is the Tzitzikas Taverna, located in a shady spot next to one of the water channels. Adjacent to this taverna is the trailhead of a pleasant walking trail adjacent to an irrigation canal that is a particularly lovely place for a walk in the spring. Check out the village of Armenoi here.
Vryses (Βρύσες) is the site of the Apokoronas municipal government, of which Gavalochori is a part. It is a large village that has several amenities, including tavernas, shops, a bank, a police station, and a school. The village largely serves as a traffic junction, with most visitors passing through the village on their way to the Samaria Gorge or to the south coast. You probably won’t want to spend any time here unless you have need of the amenities available. The Voutakis River flows through the village, providing a picturesque setting for several tavernas that are located under the plane trees that line the river. Vryses is 8.3 kilometers (5 miles) from Gavalochori. More information can be found here.
Not far from Vryses is the Dourakis Winery, located in the foothills of the White Mountains. The winery was started by Andreas Dourakis, who studied winemaking in Germany and worked in wineries in Greece and elsewhere before starting his own. The winery offers various events such as tastings and cooking lessons that can be booked online through its website. The gallery space that is part of the winery can be booked for weddings, christenings, and other events. The winery is 12½ kilometers (7½ miles) from Gavalochori. You can access more information here.
Maza (Μάζα) is a very small village 12 kilometers (7 miles) from Gavalochori. It is definitely worth a visit because of its Byzantine church from the 14th century, the Church of Saint Nicholas. Inside the church are amazingly preserved frescoes covering the walls and ceiling that tell the story of Saint Nicholas. The village also is home to the Costas Kafeneio, which serves outstanding traditional food. The taverna owner holds the key to the church and will let you in to take a look if it is not open. More information about Maza can be accessed here.
