anyone been to Crete?

[nikiwitch]

we are hoping to go to Crete next year and looking for recomendations, any ideas anyone?

[louisesgarden]

ive been to malia in crete and although i was a young girl with drinking and clubbing in mind which malia was, not sure if it is now as it was 15 years ago ! , its a beautiful place x

[ginger ninger]

Hi nikiwitch,
We've been twice its fantastic, we stayed in AGIOS NIKOLAOS, but we said if we ever went back we'd try RETHYMNON, we also did the island tour, not with the rep, far too expensive, that was a good way to find out more about some of the other resorts, we love RHODES OLD TOWN as well, but really any where in greece is brill.....happy holidays

[squashysu]

i been to crete it was lovely, i cant remember where i was though lol! could be too much alcohol lol! but it was a lovely place to go!

[bubblewrap]

we are hoping to go to Crete next year and looking for recomendations, any ideas anyone?

I have been to Crete many times
Gouves,& Kokkini Hani, are ok but a little quiet(where I usually go) & close to the airport so no long transfers.(20-30 minuets)
Agios Nikolaos , Rethymnon & Ierapetra. are a little larger but still ok.

Avoid Malia & Hersonissos like the plague full of drunken brits.
Try to avoid all inclusive deals if you can as they are ruining local businesses.
If you do go book any trips with a local operator & not through your tour operator(Lot cheaper)

[bubblewrap]

PS some of the more distant places can have a long transfer from the airport up to 4 hours.

[smallblueplanet]

We went to a place in Aptera with this company Holiday Villas in Crete - Pure Crete Ancient Aptera was a stroll away and fabulous. Lots of involvement with local businesses and conservation.

[bubblewrap]

Some Cretan Music
YouTube - Psarantonis Faraggi

YouTube - Cretan music (2): Michalis Tzouganakis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rwlac...506CBB&index=8

[di]

Try to avoid all inclusive deals if you can as they are ruining local businesses.
If you do go book any trips with a local operator & not through your tour operator(Lot cheaper)

Such a good point!!!!Sorry,no experience of Crete,but I worked in Turkey for a while & it's true,a lot of the little bars/restaurants depend on business from tourists through the holiday season...not only for the Summer months but also to see them through the winter too.
As for booking things through the reps,I wasn't one but knew plenty of people that were,believe me,unless you want to subsidise a reps night out boozing(they get paid a British wage & then commission on top of all trips booked,even have the balls to ask struggling market holders for commission for sending business their way!...at this point I will add that I accept there may be a handful of decent reps out there????),go direct through the locals!
Hope you have a great holiday!

[bubblewrap]

Places to go.

Crete Info (2005 - 2009) : Lasithi plateau
1 day in Heraklion (Iraklion) Crete - Heraklion guide part 1
The city of Rethymnon, Crete, Greece
Ierapetra Crete Lassithi Greece - Crete holidays - Information South Crete

[rana]

Went to Crete some years ago and after a few days dumped the hotel and hired a car. Travelling around for a week staying at B&B's in the more remote areas and in mountain villages away from tourists was a wonderfull experience made better by the generosity and hospitallity of the locals.

[bubblewrap]

Most tourists/holiday makers never see the real Crete(KPHTH).
yes hire a car & get off the beaten track(we ended up in an olive grove once)

[SlugLobber]

I went with my Mum to Malia, in 1996 (Euro 96 year). It was quite an eye opener, I can tell you. She tried to keep up with the young uns, ended up vomiting on a dance floor and me putting HER to bed!! Nope, my Mumsie cannot handle drink, so those little freebies when you walk into bars are a no-no.

We did all sorts of stuff, though, such as visit other towns, go horse riding, walking... It's a lovely place and I would also say get off the beaten track. Thankfully we weren't in the thick of the Malia Action - that kind of thing is really not my scene! Hiring a car (we hired a two seater scooter) is a fabulous idea. It gives you so much more freedom!

[bubblewrap]

Don't forget the raki the home made stuff that is can be bought at most small supermarkets word of warning it's lethal.