"Πανόραμα Ἀσκύφου" Ταβέρνα-Ξενώνες — Restaurant in Municipality of Sfakia

Having driven through Askifou many times on the way to the south coast, and having eaten several times at the Panorama taverna, we were determined one day to spend a night there. This year we managed to factor in a two night stay before meeting friends in Plakias. It won't be our last stay I hope. ||||Our flight landed at around 8.00pm and by the time we had got the motorbike and loaded it up it was about 8.35pm when we set off from Chania airport. We arrived at Panorama at about 9.50pm and were met by Andreas who showed us to our studio and said we could park the bike right outside it. There is a little driveway just after the taverna which goes down behind the studios, and there is parking for cars etc. close to the studios. We decided to book a studio rather than a room because we wanted facilities to make a cuppa in the morning. Also the extra room is nice when you've got crash helmets, bags and a top box to store. We had Studio number 2, which was lovely and homely, with high wooden ceilings. There were twin beds with firm mattresses (pushed together), a fridge, a 2-ring electric hob, table and 4 chairs, fridge, a little 'briki' for boiling water/coffee, and a larger saucepan (didnt find a kettle but didnt really need it as the briki held enough water for 2 cups). Washing up liquid and sponge, and some salt and pepper were also in the kitchen area. Oh, and a little bottle of raki (not too strong so suitable for the first timers!).||The lounge area had a coffee table, a small side table, sofa and 2 chairs, a wood burner, and a wardrobe with plenty of hangers, and a flat screen TV. The studio also had 3 large radiators. I bet with the wood burner going and the radiators on, it would be lovely and cosy in the coldest of winters.||The bathroom was very clean (as was the rest of the studio), with a shower over the bath. A hairdryer was on the wall by the sink and mirror.Towels were provided, and there were two little fabric bags with a shampoo and bar of soap in each. Patio doors with shutters led out onto a large patio/balcony furnished with a large marble-topped table and a couple of directors' style chairs. It looked out onto the pool area, and also the whole of the plateau and mountains of Askifou. Absolutely stunning. There were steps down from the patio to the pool. The patio got the evening sun which was lovely.||The large windows have insect screens so you can leave the windows open. There wasnt a screen on the little bathroom window so it stayed shut most of the time - didn't want bugs flying in and annoying me.||||We dropped off our things in the room and went straight up the steps into the taverna as they usually close around 10.30. They told us that it was fine to come later as they would stay open, but we were hungry and tired so we went straight to eat. We had a lovely chicken souvlaki which came with proper chips, and some house wine and a beer, followed by a complimentary raki (beware - it's stronger than that in the room!), and a piece of absolutely gorgeous orangey syrupy cakey stuff. Being cat lovers the beautiful resident cat (called Lefteris) soon realised that we were willing to share a bit of chicken and he kept us company until the chicken was eaten. He/she (not sure which so I'll settle for calling it him) is the family pet, very beautiful and well fed, and the owners seem very proud of him and told us he is very smart. He must be because he managed to relieve me of at least a third of my chicken!||||After our meal we went back to our room and sat for a while on the balcony. The moon was very bright even though it was only a half moon, so we couldnt see too many stars but it was wonderful to sit there and gaze over the dimly moonlit plateau, with the mountains in dark sillhouette watching over us, listening to the sounds of the night - the occasional dog bark in the distance; the occasional chirp of an insect; the sound of a car in the far distance; wisps of voices coming from the tiny hamlet of Kares just below. Now feeling tired and peaceful, we went to bed. ||The beds were firm, and there was one pillow on each. Hubby usually has 2 pillows but we couldnt be bothered to ask for any more.||||Next morning we awoke to a beautiful sunny day, and upon opening the shutters it took one's breath away to see the amazing vista laid out before your eyes.We went up to the taverna for breakfast where we had Sfakia cheese pies, and yoghurt, both with honey. The cheese and the yoghurt are both home made using the milk from the 10 goats and 2 sheep owned by the family. Absolutely divine. ||The food and drink are cheaper than in the resorts on the coast - a half litre of house wine was 2.5 Euros and very nice it was too. ||You can walk to the castle - ask at the taverna for directions because we didnt and ended up walking down through the hamlet below and round the bottom of the hill whereas you actually have to turn right out of the taverna and go uphill a bit, open a wire gate (and close it behind you to keep the goats in), and follow a path for about half an hour. Its a fairly good walk, with only a bit of scrambling about to get into the castle. Just don't try and take a short cut to the top of the hill like we did - its a difficult scramble and we ended up on top of the wrong hill! Although there are the remains of another fort there, which we wouldn't have seen if we had stuck to the path. ||||We spent a couple of hours by the pool during our stay, we were the only ones there and the pool area is very pleasant and sunny, with sunbeds and umbrellas, and that lovely view. It was nice to have a dip after our walk, the water seemed quite cold when you stepped in but once in it felt quite warm.||||Checkout was simple, we just went up and paid when we had breakfast. They hadnt kept our passports presumably because we booked via booking.com. We were quite sad to leave and had our friends not been in Plakias we would have stayed at least one more night.||||By the way if you need petrol or groceries, or a bakery, you can get everything about a mile down the road in...

Having driven through Askifou many times on the way to the south coast, and having eaten several times at the Panorama taverna, we were determined one day to spend a night there. This year we managed to factor in a two night stay before meeting friends in Plakias. It won't be our last stay I hope. ||||Our flight landed at around 8.00pm and by the time we had got the motorbike and loaded it up it was about 8.35pm when we set off from Chania airport. We arrived at Panorama at about 9.50pm and were met by Andreas who showed us to our studio and said we could park the bike right outside it. There is a little driveway just after the taverna which goes down behind the studios, and there is parking for cars etc. close to the studios. We decided to book a studio rather than a room because we wanted facilities to make a cuppa in the morning. Also the extra room is nice when you've got crash helmets, bags and a top box to store. We had Studio number 2, which was lovely and homely, with high wooden ceilings. There were twin beds with firm mattresses (pushed together), a fridge, a 2-ring electric hob, table and 4 chairs, fridge, a little 'briki' for boiling water/coffee, and a larger saucepan (didnt find a kettle but didnt really need it as the briki held enough water for 2 cups). Washing up liquid and sponge, and some salt and pepper were also in the kitchen area. Oh, and a little bottle of raki (not too strong so suitable for the first timers!).||The lounge area had a coffee table, a small side table, sofa and 2 chairs, a wood burner, and a wardrobe with plenty of hangers, and a flat screen TV. The studio also had 3 large radiators. I bet with the wood burner going and the radiators on, it would be lovely and cosy in the coldest of winters.||The bathroom was very clean (as was the rest of the studio), with a shower over the bath. A hairdryer was on the wall by the sink and mirror.Towels were provided, and there were two little fabric bags with a shampoo and bar of soap in each. Patio doors with shutters led out onto a large patio/balcony furnished with a large marble-topped table and a couple of directors' style chairs. It looked out onto the pool area, and also the whole of the plateau and mountains of Askifou. Absolutely stunning. There were steps down from the patio to the pool. The patio got the evening sun which was lovely.||The large windows have insect screens so you can leave the windows open. There wasnt a screen on the little bathroom window so it stayed shut most of the time - didn't want bugs flying in and annoying me.||||We dropped off our things in the room and went straight up the steps into the taverna as they usually close around 10.30. They told us that it was fine to come later as they would stay open, but we were hungry and tired so we went straight to eat. We had a lovely chicken souvlaki which came with proper chips, and some house wine and a beer, followed by a complimentary raki (beware - it's stronger than that in the room!), and a piece of absolutely gorgeous orangey syrupy cakey stuff. Being cat lovers the beautiful resident cat (called Lefteris) soon realised that we were willing to share a bit of chicken and he kept us company until the chicken was eaten. He/she (not sure which so I'll settle for calling it him) is the family pet, very beautiful and well fed, and the owners seem very proud of him and told us he is very smart. He must be because he managed to relieve me of at least a third of my chicken!||||After our meal we went back to our room and sat for a while on the balcony. The moon was very bright even though it was only a half moon, so we couldnt see too many stars but it was wonderful to sit there and gaze over the dimly moonlit plateau, with the mountains in dark sillhouette watching over us, listening to the sounds of the night - the occasional dog bark in the distance; the occasional chirp of an insect; the sound of a car in the far distance; wisps of voices coming from the tiny hamlet of Kares just below. Now feeling tired and peaceful, we went to bed. ||The beds were firm, and there was one pillow on each. Hubby usually has 2 pillows but we couldnt be bothered to ask for any more.||||Next morning we awoke to a beautiful sunny day, and upon opening the shutters it took one's breath away to see the amazing vista laid out before your eyes.We went up to the taverna for breakfast where we had Sfakia cheese pies, and yoghurt, both with honey. The cheese and the yoghurt are both home made using the milk from the 10 goats and 2 sheep owned by the family. Absolutely divine. ||The food and drink are cheaper than in the resorts on the coast - a half litre of house wine was 2.5 Euros and very nice it was too. ||You can walk to the castle - ask at the taverna for directions because we didnt and ended up walking down through the hamlet below and round the bottom of the hill whereas you actually have to turn right out of the taverna and go uphill a bit, open a wire gate (and close it behind you to keep the goats in), and follow a path for about half an hour. Its a fairly good walk, with only a bit of scrambling about to get into the castle. Just don't try and take a short cut to the top of the hill like we did - its a difficult scramble and we ended up on top of the wrong hill! Although there are the remains of another fort there, which we wouldn't have seen if we had stuck to the path. ||||We spent a couple of hours by the pool during our stay, we were the only ones there and the pool area is very pleasant and sunny, with sunbeds and umbrellas, and that lovely view. It was nice to have a dip after our walk, the water seemed quite cold when you stepped in but once in it felt quite warm.||||Checkout was simple, we just went up and paid when we had breakfast. They hadnt kept our passports presumably because we booked via booking.com. We were quite sad to leave and had our friends not been in Plakias we would have stayed at least one more night.||||By the way if you need petrol or groceries, or a bakery, you can get everything about a mile down the road in...

Perfectly located between Chania (north coast of Crete) and Chora (on the south coast) the Panorama sits overlooking the high and fertile Askifou plateau, at an altitude of 730 metres and part of the region of Sfakia. It is surrounded by mountains and exudes calm and peace.||||We stopped for one night on our way to Chora, and we are so glad we did.||We were made very welcome from the moment we arrived and were shown to our studio. Simply furnished but beautifully clean and well appointed, including a small kitchenette with cooking hob, fridge, and all equipment. But why would you cook for yourself when you have a wonderful taverna to eat at (more details later).||The bed was very comfortable, and clean fresh towels were provided.||On the terrace of the studio you have a table and a couple of chairs to relax on while overlooking the small pool, and the beautiful scenery. ||On arrival we were given a bottle of chilled water, and in the studio awaited a welcome flask of raki, made by the family. Superb Sfakian hospitality.||||We enjoyed a lovely beer on the Taverna Terrace overlooking the valley, and later had one of the best meals we’ve had in years. The Panorama specialised in good traditional regional food, and the portions are generous and very good value.||||We slept very well that night, but if you do wake, do step out onto the balcony and listen. It is so quiet and peaceful that you can even hear sheep bells from the far side of the valley. There is no light pollution, so the sky is carpeted with stars! ||||Refreshed from a great night sleep, we went for breakfast. Again, traditional dishes are available, and I would wholeheartedly recommend the Sfakia Pies. Delicious! ||||The family are so welcoming and so hospitable, that when we returned from the south toward Chania 12 days later, we stopped for lunch. Again, we were made welcome and the food was just as good as we remembered.||||We will definitely return, and next time we will...