C o a s t a l   V i l l a g e   i n   C r e t e   Prines is one of the villages above the bay of  Rethymnon on the Greek island of  Crete in the Mediterranean Sea, by the Old National Road to  Georgioupolis and  Hania. Due to the panoramic views, numerous private holiday villas have been built during recent years on the hills and slopes that frame the village, and many of them can be hired by the week as well.   When driving the Old National Road from Rethymnon to Prines, one will first pass the bigger neighbouring village of Atsipopoulo. Many inhabitants of Rethymnon have built their private detached single-family homes there, and numerous shops and other business enterprises located there as well.   Because of the intensive building activity, Atsipopoulo and Prines today almost blend into each other, however the buildings of immigrants, retirees and holiday home owners from other European countries predominate at Prines. When entering Prines on the road from Atsipopoulo, one will find the very popular taverna "Giannikos" on the right hand side which also serves as a kafenion.   The tables and chairs on the small and cozy neighbouring village square belong to it, and some big trees shade the square. The smaller one of the two mini markets of Prines is just opposite. The old village center of Prines attaches behind the taverna "Giannikos".   There are narrow winding lanes, old piles and doors with round arches, and also some attached balconies with wrought-iron railings which remind of the Venetian architecture in the old town of Rethymnon. When carrying on the Old National Road in direction of Georgioupolis, another very tiny kafenion appears on the right hand side.   Immediately afterwards comes the bigger one of the two mini markets on the left hand side, and the municipality's local village office. Another taverna is then hiding behind big bushes on the left hand side. By the village exit there is a gas station on the right hand side, as well as a butcher's and a forage store, and finally the cafe and snack bar "Gesthimani" which is becoming more and more popular.   The number of shops and catering suppliers in the neighbouring village of Atsipopoulo is much bigger. There are 2 big supermarkets, a bakery (with traditional Greek specialties), 2 sugar bakers, and a fish shop. A taverna, a bar, a grill house and a grill bar with a crepes oven are in Atsipopoulo as well.   Furthermore there is a pharmacy, a dentist's, a physiotherapist's, 2 ladies' hairdressers and barbers, a veterinary's and a shop for pet supplies. Other shops sell women's wear, shoes, sports goods, toys, fancy goods, flowers, newspapers, and tobacco products. For hardware, there are even two stores.   Two internet cafes, a one-line shop for cellular phones and another one for educational PCs, a video store and and ATM are there as well. They also have an icon store, a cabinet maker's, a specialised workshop for aluminum windows and another one for water softening units. And for sure we forgot to mention several others.     Text and photos by Ingo H. Dietrich   You are visitor #   6 2 2 2   View the guestbook Sign the guestbook Recommend this site to a friend Recommendations: Encyclopedia of Crete Sporting Excursions Apartments & Studios The Internet Catalog of Crete Car Rental Holiday Villa Holiday Villas Holiday Villa Children's Wear Holiday Villa Private property for sale Animal Welfare Diving Center Medical Doctors Houses - Apartments - Villas - Building Plots Mini golf court

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