On the second day, we'll take a tour of the eastern part of Crete. It's a beautiful drive along winding roads, partly along the coast, but also some lovely back roads through the rugged landscape.

We'll drive from Koutsounari along the coast to Ierapetra, from where we'll continue north through Crete's beautiful mountainous landscape. Along the route, there are several spots where you can stop briefly to enjoy the views, such as the Platanos viewpoint, which offers a beautiful view of the coastline and the island of Pseira in the Gulf of Mirabello, with its archaeological remains from the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations.

After this stop, the roads become much more winding, and you can enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The E090 runs between the mountains, and along this road you'll see beautiful green trees, shrubs, and brightly colored flowers. Just after Myrsini (Greek: Μυρσίνη), there's an opportunity to stop for a drink at a cozy café while enjoying the stunning view.

The next stop is the "Richtis Gorge" (Greek: Φαράγγι του Ρίχτη, Faraggi tou Richti) with its beautiful waterfall. It is a state-protected park that begins at the traditional village of Exo Mouliana, located on the national road between Agios Nikolaos and Sitia, and ends at the secluded Richtis beach, just east of the village of Kalavros. The trail is approximately 4 km long and ranges from moderate (spring/summer/autumn) to difficult (winter) difficulty. The beginning of the descent is particularly muddy and treacherous after rain. Waterproof shoes or sandals are highly recommended, as the stream leading to the waterfall must be crossed several times, often unavoidably by the water. Along the way, rich vegetation, including plane trees, wild berries and local flowers and herbs, and wildlife, including local species of butterflies, small reptiles, birds and small mammals, can be seen, as well as old stone bridges and watermills. The walk culminates at the Richtis waterfall and beach, making the Richtis Gorge one of the most varied hiking experiences in Crete.

After the hike through the gorge, we continue along the winding back roads to Sitia, where you can visit the Archaeological Museum. The collection includes finds from the Minoan period from Sitia, Zakros, Petra, and Palaikastro.
Sitia is a port town with a beautiful beach and promenade on the east coast. It's an ideal spot for lunch and to relax on the beach with a snack and a drink, or simply stroll along the promenade past the restaurants and cafes.

We drive along the bay and through a partially arid landscape to our next stop at Toplou Monastery, one of Crete's most historic monasteries, known for its vast estate. In religious circles, it is known as the Monastery of Panagia Akrotiriani, while locals simply call it the Great Monastery. The monastery is fortified with a 10-meter-high wall, which protected it from enemy attacks. It covers an area of 800 square meters and has three floors, 40 rooms, and a 33-meter-high bell tower. According to tradition, it has 100 doors, of which only 99 have been discovered. In the center of the monastery is a well, which provided the monks with water during various sieges by the Turks and pirates. Opposite the well stands a basilica with two naves dedicated to the Virgin Mary and John the Theologian.

This part of the island is known for its beautiful, secluded beaches, one of which is Palm Beach Vai, with, as the name suggests, its beautiful palm trees. Definitely worth a visit.

We continue towards the south coast of Crete on a stunningly beautiful road with many curves, including some sharp hairpin bends, offering magnificent panoramic views. Along the route are several viewpoints and small parking areas where you can stop briefly for a photo.

The next stop is the lovely town of Analipsi, a nice place to stop for a drink and a snack at the beautiful Limanaki Beach.

After this last stop we drive via a detour through the interior back to the campsite in Koutsounari.

This tour is definitely worth 5 stars for its beautiful roads, beaches, scenery, and the sights you can visit. The route is just over 200 kilometers, and you can choose to deviate from the usual routes to visit beautiful, secluded bays and beaches.