Giannoudi is a beautiful Venetian village which is located 3 km away from Rethimno and approximately 70 km from Heraklion and Chania, in the northern part of Crete. Its former name used to be Monastiriako, which had been abandoned for some time, but later it was restored to its present condition. There is a small church of a distinctive architectural style nearby which suggests that the building was a monastery even before the Venetian period. This village comprised a Venetian defense settlement, built amphitheatrically on a hill. Due to this fact Giannoudi offers a unique view of the Cretan sea. The surrounding area is protected by the Greek legislation as a region of particular natural beauty and includes the gorge of Prasses, a river, several olive trees and lush green vegetation around them. Monastiriako is also considered by the Greek Ministry of culture as a settlement of architectural and historical value. The materials that have been used for the restoration of the buildings are Alfa stone of Rethimno, cypress wood and soil of the area. The courtyards are covered with some of the finest stone-relief elements of the Venetian decoration, overshadowed by high walls on every side with loopholes and overhang by bougainvillea, cacti and jasmine and planted with cypresses, citrus and palm trees. There is also an old beautiful olive press building. In the central courtyard there is a swimming pool with water massage accessible from all the suites.