where is Exantis

Crete

The village is situated in a valley of the foothills of the Psiloritis mountain range and is approximately 31km West South West of Rethymo, 4km North East of the popular tourist resort of Bali, 7.5km South West from Perema, 7km West North West from Panormos and its other neighbours are Skepasti, Roumeli and Siripidiana.

Here's Crete, with the red blob showing you where Exantis is:

Map_of_Crete

Here's a slightly more detailed map:
Map_of_Crete_2

To get to Exantis (and I am sorry about the formatting below, I will try to correct it):

From Bali/E75 East:

About 3 km after Bali, heading in the direction of Rethymno, you will see a left hand turn on a sharp right-hand bend (look out for the wooden rustic fencing). Turn left here, but be VERY careful. You must ensure that nobody is behind you (there is NO central reservation) nor any oncoming traffic. The road will take you to Exantis.

Those in the know will either drive on and turn around at a convenient point (like Skepasti or Siripidiana), or drive around 1km beyond the described junction and take the turning on the right for Exantas taverna (1) (the taverna is on the left), which takes the driver under the E75 via a tunnel. This is a very hidden turn. Take a left at the exit of the tunnel (you will be facing immediately in front of the taverna gates at this point) and re-join the E75 by turning right onto the carriageway. Be careful here.

After about 600 yards look for and take a right hand turn (after the armco barrier runs out) onto an unsigned single track (and rough) road, dropping down past Villa Talea.You'll find your way from there - basically keep going until you find Taverna Maria on the right.

If you miss the turning for the Exantas Taverna (1), then keep going and turn around as soon as you can and follow the directions below from E75 West.

If you take the turning for Exantis Taverna (1), go under the road, turn left after the tunnel but after emerging can't find the right hand turning after the armco, then keep going East for about a mile until you find a right hand turn on a right hand bend (look out for a pile of rear-ended crashed cars, lorries and buses which tried to turn left at the junction when coming from the West. I am joking, of course).

From Rethymno/E75 West:

Take the E75 from Rethymno in the direction of Heraklion, past Stavromenos. After a while you'll pass over the Geropotamos bridge and the new hotel complexes on the left. Keep going, past the turnings for Panormo, Siripidiana and Skepasti and eventually the Exantas Taverna. Keep going until you find a right hand turn on a right hand bend signposted (look out for the brown signs and wooden rustic fencing) for Melidoni and and the cave. You'll be in Exantis in time for a night at Taverna Maria. If prior to that and by any chance you miss the turn off the E75, the next turn will be for Bali in about 4km, so just turn around and follow the directions for E75 East.

Here's a quick video of the road to Exantis.

Use the gizmo below for more accurate directions...

...or click on the link below for external maps.

Finally, the all important weather!