Topolia, Crete

Tumbling down one side of the valley just below the entrance to the impressive Topolia Gorge, the village straddles the road that runs south to Paleochora or west to Elafonisi and is remarkably pretty with its church and steeple and myriad white houses, set against the green of the valley. Despite being just 10 minutes drive from the seaside town of Kastelli, the village remains relatively unaffected by tourism and boasts a taverna, baker and two small mini-markets mainly for local consumption. Five minutes drive away on the far side of the gorge, the village of Koutsomatados has two or three tavernas and is the starting point for some lovely walks by footpath to neighbouring villages, whilst just back down the hill to the north in the village of Voulgaro is a further taverna and a well stocked supermarket.