The district of Sfakia, with its main village Chora Sfakion, is a very special part of Crete, far away from the mass tourism of the north coast. It is located at the lybian sea in the southwest part of the island and is shaped by the fantastic mountain range called "White Mountains", dominated by Pachnes (2453), the second highest mountain in crete. The rough and dramatic landscape of this area is softened by olive trees, tamarisk and pine trees and the gentle sound of sheep and goats? bells. The region is famous for its independent spirit and was the center of resistance against the Venetians and the Turks.