Introduction
It’s been one century, since a group of people from Rethymno – with optimistic mood and open heart to every pleasant challenge – decides to put some colour to the everyday life of the city, during the Carnival season.
So, in 1914 the first Carnival of Rethymno was organized, bringing the original mark of the intentions of the people of Rethymno. Through the years, these intentions turned into actions that exceeded every time the expectations of their inspirers and finally turned to be an amazing event: the Carnival of Rethymno, a live organism, tending to reverse the natural route of life: the “older” it’s getting the better it is becoming!
This year’s carnival subject is focused on this inversion and invites whoever deeply hopes for better days, whoever sees rainbow colors beyond grey to be part of the large, emotional and fresh Team of the Carnival of Rethymno and share, create, have fun and experience things that nobody wants to miss.
Gallery
Matala Beach Festival, one of the most popular festivals in Crete, is organized to keep the myth of Matala alive! A unique festival on the sandy beach beneath the caves made famous during the hippie era of the 1960s and ‘70s. Distance: 1h and 24minutes. 70 km
The famous “DAFNES” wine (VQPRD) is produced in Dafnes and originates from the grape variety known as “Liatiko”. The wine festival of Dafnes was started in 1976. The event lasts for about ten to fifteen days and takes place in the first fifteen days of July each year, at the village square, where visitors are welcome to choose and drink the fine wine of Dafnes which is offered abundantly for free. Distance 29minutes - 22km
The theme of the first “Yakinthia” was the “Great Erotic” songs and was dedicated to the memory of Manos Hatzidakis, the great Greek singer. Since then, every year, “Yakinthia” festival has a different theme and, usually, connects Cretan music and Cretan folk tradition with musical traditions from other parts of Greece and the Mediterranean. - Distance: 40 minutes - 23km