Old Chania

This ancient port city was established by traders from Venice in 1250. Goods from the Silk Road and Africa transited through here to Italy for 200 years till the Islam conquest in the 1400's. Chania ( pronounced "Hawnia" ) was a walled fortress city which is surprisingly intact today. Many of the original streets are still in use, far too narrow for cars. The waterfront is a lively string of nice restaurants serving the local fare. We eat there every night. The crowd is European with a sprinkling of Americans. It's hard not to like this place. I got up and walk the city at sunrise.