Cosmos Traveller

03/09/2026

1981 vs today, same mosque in Chania, Crete. Same angle, same frame. I first came here in 1981 — what’s actually changed?

Episode 5 of the Chania walk.

02/09/2026

Nobody's filming this corner of Chania.

Splantzia Square has a mosque and a bell tower sharing one skyline — the church here is testament to Crete's turbulent history, and most visitors walk straight past it or never venture that little bit further to reach it.

I found it to be a very spiritual place and a symbol of harmony that I wish was the world that we lived in.

02/09/2026

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01/09/2026

Chania's backstreets reward exactly one thing: being prepared to actually explore them.

If you're are inclined to explore, there's so much to find — I found another beautiful street just wandering.

It's just before midday and it's actually not so busy.

31/08/2026

The Venetian harbour in Chania at 8am and the same harbour by afternoon are two different places.

Same water, same view — come early if you want the quiet version.

Episode 2 of the Chania walk.

28/08/2026

My next newsletter "The Rethymno I'd Never Really Explored" is coming tomorrow. Subscribe to get it and stay in the loop on everything I'm creating.

I'm Rich — 22 years in the UAE, now living on the Côte d'Azur, with long stretches in Cape Town and Crete. Candid travel advice from wherever I actually am.

27/08/2026

Chania gets treated as the headline stop on every Crete itinerary — the place people build a whole week around.

After years of coming back, my honest answer is shorter than that: it's worth a night, not the whole holiday.

This is Episode 1 of a proper walk through the Old Town this week — the fortress, the harbour, where to eat, all of it.

Save this one, more are coming.

26/08/2026

It’s worth the effort to get here at 8 in the morning.

Here’s the catch: you can’t get the quiet version by boat. First Deligiannis Lines sailing is 9am, €4 each way — so if you want it at 8, you’re walking in.

Leave later by boat. Bonus: the route runs Sweet Water then Loutro, so it’s easy to make it a two-beach day. Last boat back: 19:30 from Sweet Water, 19:15 from Loutro — get that wrong and you’re walking back in the dark.

Walk in if you want that hour of tranquility before the boats begin arriving

Take the boat both ways if you are unsteady on your feet or afraid of heights!
Last visited: August 2026.

More on Glyka Nera in my guide to 7 hidden beaches in Crete — link in bio.

12/03/2026

Stop thinking Cape Town is always busy.

Yes, there are the famous beaches, the packed viewpoints and the restaurants everyone talks about. But just a little further along the coast, you’ll often find places like this — quiet tidal pools where the pace slows down and the city feels very different.

This is one of the reasons I love slow travel in Cape Town. When you take your time, you start to notice the calmer corners most visitors rush straight past.

If you’re planning a trip and want more places like this, you’ll find them at thecosmostraveller.com.