Vamos

Vamos is the municipal centre of the Apokoronas area. It is centrally located between Almerida and the national road which provides access to Rethymnon and Chania and also through Vrisses towards the White Mountains. Vamos boasts a Health Center with 24 hour medical care, pharmacy, a bank, hairdresser, post office, mini-markets, butchers, cake shop and bakeries as well as excellent tavernas serving delicious Greek cuisine that are open all year round.  Browse around the small shops and experience the sights and sounds of village life as traders sell fish and flowers on the corner while chickens roast on the spit and Greek men drink coffee in the shade. 

There is an increasing awareness of conservation in the area, and many old houses are being restored to their former glory. The initiative of a group of inhabitants to create an association for the preservation of the village as well as alternative tourism strategies is already paying off while constituting a model for further local progress. Art and cultural festivals are good opportunities for everyone to experience the hospitality and entertainment Vamos can offer. There is an Art Café from where you can also enjoy wonderful views of the area and an organic shop selling local produce. 

Interesting buildings in the village include the churches of Agios Nikolaos and Agios Georgios and the restored old school (built in 1863) with the old girl's school in its yard, which is now used as a guesthouse.

Vamos was the site of many battles in 1866 and 1896 during the uprising against Turkish occupation. The 1896 events attracted foreign interest and were the cause of the General Cretan Revolutionary Meeting (with Roussos Koundouros presiding) in Vamos with the aim the independence of Crete.

In the district of Vamos, in the venetian village of Karidi Kartsomado one can see the ruins of the small single-roomed monastery of Panagia at Katomeri, complete with frescoes dating from the 13th century.
Opposite the aforementioned village lies another venetian village, Karidi of Agios Georgios, with its venetian villa and other buildings including the large monastery of Agios Georgios, which is still active and constitutes the most interesting architectural element in the prefecture of Hania. Buildings such as the large olive oil press can be restored and become a living agricultural museum or cater for a wide variety of public events.
Douliana is a small community in this district, situated on a hill with beautiful natural surroundings and interesting architecture. This traditionally preserved community has maintained its character more than any other community in the area. Many foreigners live permanently in the village. The locals take a great interest in issues regarding the preservation of the community.