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Leaving the museum, turn right onto Epimenidou and look in at the Franzeskaki Collection of Traditional Weaving and Embroidery, with its marvellously colourful exhibits. Here can be found some of the finest textile work in the whole of Greece (see Franzeskaki Collection)

Variously attributed to Damaskinos and 15th-century painter Konstantinos Rikos.

Europe’s southernmost point, where a few simple guesthouses, tavernas and beaches welcome visitors. Boats sail daily in summer from Palaiochora and Chora Sfakion; journey time around 4 hours.

Big-eyed gecko lizards, with suckertipped fingers that enable them to cling to walls and ceilings, inhabit many older buildings, coming out after dark to hunt insects. You may see several clinging to the wall near outdoor lamps, waiting to snap up moths and mosquitoes attracted by the light.

At the mouth of a river, 20 km (13 miles) west of Rethymno, lies Georgioupoli. It’s a quiet resort, the hub of the village provided by a taverna- and cafélined square shaded by plane trees. Georgioupoli’s hotel and self-catering accommodation is spread out along an expansive sandy beach.

Only a minute’s walk from the village centre, the hotel has three pools. Designed in Neo-classical style, the low-rise buildings are prettily painted in cream, blue and pink.

Cretan lyra players sometimes attach tiny copper or silver hawk bells to the horsehair bows with which the lyra is played. These little bells, as well as having an ornamental purpose, can be made to provide an occasional lively and rhythmic jingling accompaniment.

Slap in the centre of Malia, this cheap and cheerful complex has twin-bed studios with kitchenette and balcony, and larger apartments sleeping up to four.