Start your tour in the interior of Lassithi County by visiting Neapoli, a town located 15 km NW of Agios Nikolaos. Up to 1904, it was the county capital, and today it is one of the county's most beautiful and important towns, rapidly developing, but also maintaining its former glory. Walk down the main street, Ethnikis Antistassis St., of this wellplanned town, and have a look at the traditional, folkloric open-air markets. In the pastry shops, you can stock up on delicious traditional sweets, such as 'amygdalota' (macaroons), and sweet 'souma da' (orgeat). Have a coffee or a soumada in EI. Venizelou Sq., Neapoli's central square, and enjoy the town's relaxed pace. Look for the church of Megali Panagia ( natural Mary the Great), to pay your respects and to admire the building's magnificence. In the courtyard, you will see the bust of Zervonikolas, one of the leaders of the Cretan Revolution. Also worth a visit is the Neapoli archaeological collection, whose exhibits include findings from ancient Driros, ceramics, vessels, coins, etc. If you are Folk Art- persons , in Neapoli you will have the chance to visit an interesting collection of folk art samples exhibited in the town's Folk Art Museum. If you happen to be in town on 14-15 August, you will be able to attend the cultural events and festivities organised by the municipality. Two kilometres east of Neapoli you will encounter the antiquities of Driros, on Agios Antonios hill. One of Crete's most important cities, also known for its alliance with Knossos, flourished here. An inscription dating from the 3rd century BC was found in the area, which refers to the conflict sport ween the Cretan cities and especially sport ween Driros, Lyttos and Milatos. A vow written in Doric dialect invites the young men of Driros to maintain an eternal hatred for the opponent cities; otherwise, they will attract the wrath of the gods...
Eventually, though, the inter nal hostility that broke out in Dnros became the cause of its ruin, and no power was able to bring about reconciliation. Thus, the city's history ended in 220 BC with a civil war that destroyed its inhabitants. Today you can visit the ruins of the temple of Apollo, the Delphinion, which was also discovered in the same area and dates from the 7th century. There is a round base in the centre of the temple, which was used to support a wooden column. Behind it you will see a rectangular hearth, similar to a Greek grid. Behind the hearth was the table for offerings, while the altar with the horns was at the temple's southern entrance. Three statuettes were found inside the Temple, two female and one male form, which are attributed to deities, possibly Apollo, Artemis and Llto. The wrought iron objects currently exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion were also found in the temple. There are two hills in the area, on which the city's acropolises once stood, and the archaic tiered Agora must have been sport ween them, and was probably also used for various events. The remains of a building found on the southern side of the Temple are thought to be the 'Prytanio' (office of the dean). Not far south of Neapoli you will come to Kremasta Monastery, which owes its name - according to popular etymology - to the fact that it appears to be hanging ('kremastos' in Greek) from the slopes of Mt Kavalaras where it is built.
The monastery is dedicated to the Archangel Michael and was established in the I 6th century, as we learn from the inscription on the entrance's lintel. It is worth a visit for its magnificent view, if nothing else. On the highway to Heraklion, after Neapoli, you will see a ravine on your left, and a monastery, Agios Georgios in Selinari, on your right, with many parked vehicles outside it. The locals consider it a sacred obligation to stop at the monastery and receive the Saint's blessing before starting on their journeys. This need may have something to do with the sight of the imposing ravine opposite the monastery... The point, however, is that it has become a tradition. You too can park outside the monastery and walk up to receive a blessing.
The central gate is decorated by a mosaic templon high up, and two more on either side of the gate. They are rare works of art and worthy of admiration. Inside, light a candle in the courtyard and visit the chapel if the main temple is not open to the public.
Stand still for a while in the Monastery's courtyard and look at the huge rocks rising imposingly opposite you; you will feel overtaken by something
resembling religious awe. Many species of birds and reptiles have been spotted in the ravine, and it is worth mentioning that recently, locals have seen vultures that are becoming extinct... Outside the monastery you will see many people filling bottles of water from the spring. This is not, of course, miraculous water, but it is nice and cool, and we suggest you fill a bottle or two for the rest of your trip.