Mils, Rethymnoguide, Rethymno

Miloi

In an oasis of i.e. carob, date palms, walnut-trees, planetrees, bananatrees, grape clusters,
fig trees, lemon trees, and Dionysos` own favorite, ivy, just 8 kilometers outside the city of Rethymno, there is a tavern inside a gorge. The tavern is runned by Evangelos, together with his family, an outstandingly nice hosting. The place has, during 2008/2009, had a major facelift, and the refurbishment continues.

The gorge has running water all year round which, of course, is a precondition for the rich bird-, animal-, and plantlife you can discover her. Everything from hawks, eagles, and nightingales, to crabs are to be found in this natures own garden.

The name of the village, Miloi (Mills, and is pronounced Miiiili) alludes to its history, a time when there was plenty of mills along the river. Once there must have been a pretty hectic crowd of people here, so crowded that the Venetians had their own tax collector located here. The ruins of his villa lays vis a vis the tavern, just across the river. But also close by the tavern there are several old abandoned buildings. But even thou they have seen the best of days a while ago, they are still considered as splendid examples of old Cretan building customs.The tavern is either a perfect starting point for those who would like to have a lunch before walking down the gorge, or as a goal for those who rather wants to walk the gorge from the bottom.

But it is also strongly recommended to take the trip for a better and romantic dinner. Go there before the sun sets to see this part of the gorge. Have a better meal (of course prepared with locally produced vegetables) and have some wine or what else would be desired. Experience the fragrances from the kitchen, the forest and just feel the calmness come to you together with the darkness. Far from the noise of the city. If you don’t instead become a member of, or already participate in, a happy company. Which of course also might happen.

The village ”New” Miloi is located to the right when driving towards Chromanistiri from Rethymno, while the gorge, and the path down to the tavern starts approximately 50 meters after the New village. Here you will find a railing towards the gorge, and the end station of the cable car which brings supplies down to the tavern. The path, which is rather easy to walk, slopes down inside the gorge, passing what have to be one of the smaller churches in Crete just a few meters up to your right, before it at the bottom of the gorge, across the river, turns left and continues down the gorge to the ”old” Mili.

The easiest way to get here is by taxi from the city of Rethymno. Make sure that the driver is taking you to the tavern in the Mili gorge, and not to the tavern out in Misiria/Platanes which carries the same name. The price up here was, in the summer of 2009, 12 EUROS. One can also take the little train up here from Misiria. Guess the tourist-information in Rethymno can help you with the schedule for this train.

The tavern will help you with getting a taxi whenever you want to leave, and the path up to the road has electric lights which are being switched on when darkness falls.

Inghild Lier Andersen og Trond Ryen Aspvik