Advantages: Landscape, history, parties and culture Disadvantages: None really
This trip to Crete was my third and although I normally travel there to engage in a drunken session of debauchery and sin, more often than not I end up hiring a Samarai Jeep and exploring the island. There is a vast wealth of culture and history, while for the younger members of the family there are parties and bars for all manner of mood ranging from cultured Greek dancing to mad dance clubs open til dawn and beyond.
The ideal place to stay would ... ...once the main city of Crete and opposed Knossos in alliance with the Romans. For this reason it survived far longer than many other ruins and is still pretty much in tact.
Further to all this the cities of Heraklion and Chania are worth a visit, especially the harbour regions which contain a wealth of potential gifts for family and friends.
If all this is not enough I recommend that you just drive a jeep in to the hills, get lost, do some off-roading ...
jimstrong 07.08.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Crete (Greece)
Advantages: Hot weather, nice food, everythings cheaper than in England Disadvantages: Dangerous roads
... Having just got back from Crete I thought I perhaps should write an opinion on the Greek island that has something for everyone. Out of the 1,400 odd Greek islands Crete is the largest and the most popular place in Greece for tourists. And having now been there twice I can see why its so popular with English tourists…
Places to stay ~~
The main towns of Crete are on the North of the island and all of the main towns are on the coast and most hotels ... ...I'll stick to category - Crete in general! Places to stay in Crete vary quite widely and there are hotels to suit every budget. Though the overall cost of the holiday will be a bit more if you are going to Crete as its quite a lot further from England than what Spain is. Our flight to Crete took about 3 ˝ hours.
I said I would not go into much detail about hotels but if you are going to Crete I recommend you look at one of Grecotel's hotels. Grecotel ...
Disillusioned 24.08.2001
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Advantages: Long sandy beach, village feel, friendly locals, good base to explore Disadvantages: Mosquitos can be a nuisance, maybe too quiet for teenagers
Georgioupolis lies directly between Rethymnon and Chania on the North West coast of Crete. Despite several European tour operators bringing groups of tourists here throughout the summer months, the resort still manages to hold on to its fishing village atmosphere and is a good choice for a relaxing holiday. There are 9km of sandy beach, with crystal clear water, and sand dunes in places, so if all you want to do is sunbathe - no problem. If you like ... ...base to discover the Western side of Crete.
The main square is surrounded by cafeterias, bars and restaurants, and there is also a good selection along the main routes throughout the village. I stayed there a month and NEVER had a bad meal. Locally caught fish are a speciality in most of the restaurants and are generally inexpensive. Three rivers run into the Cretan sea here, and you can feel the change in temperature in the estuaries, as the river ...
Sandroulla 28.04.2006
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Advantages: My home for 5 years - I miss you Crete Disadvantages: Winters are not that nice
...house on Crete
The Crete virus:
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There are many people who are in love with Crete. But why? Is it the sunshine, the sea, the peace of life? If you think about it you can find a million of places, which fit to this type. No, there must be something else with that island, what makes people come back again and again. It must be the "Crete" addiction. I have to admit - I am addicted!
My addiction started when I was ... ...early in the morning to Crete (Rethymno).
My life abroad and about moving to Crete
---------------------------------
We stayed with our friends until we found our own place, which did cost us 200 Euro (about 140 Pounds) per month. We soon found work in the next village. In Crete work is only for the summer months (especially if you know no Greek)! You can get help from the IKA offices (as long you are signed on)! But I can tell you it was not ...
heidi_klein 14.05.2005
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Advantages: no comments Disadvantages: actually nothing
...Crete...it's better to forget it. Crete is simply too big and too mutli-dimensional to breeze in and out of for a couple days. It would be like stopping in New York for a couple hours. What's the point if all you will see is Times Square?
There is lots to see on Crete, and a lot not to see. While the mountain villages and coastal towns on the Eastern and Western tips of the island have retained their traditions and their beauty, towns like Malia, ... ...who have turned much of Crete into Nassau with Mousaka. Not to discourage those who are looking for a Club-Med style vacation. If that's what you want, it is certainly here in quantity and in quality and two days in Crete is fine, though you might as well have spent the time on whatever island resort you just came from since it was probably not much different from what you will find in Crete.
But I have come to praise Crete, not to discourage those ...
theo0221 27.01.2002 (28.01.2002)
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Advantages: Friendly, cheap and chearfull Disadvantages: Basic, dont supply loo roll,
Just back from Eva Maria apartments. Basic acomodation, but was booked cheaply on a last minute deal through www.goldensun.co.uk so can complain.
Apartments are clean enough, bit on the basic side - tiny living area, two bedrooms though for family of four. Kitchen consisted of a fridge (no complaints there), and two electric rings to cook on (what a joke!). No air con (what do i expect), but fans could be rented from reception/poolside bar.
That ... ...owner was in hospital (hence the Eva Maria Hotel next door was closed), but the apartments were being run by his daughters (yes Eva, and Maria). Both of them speak very good English, and are very friendly and eager to chat.
The apartments are a bit away from the beach, and the busy end of the resort (up to 1/2 mile) but is ideal for a quiet holiday. Pool good, with ample sunbeds (only about 30, but more than enough).
At night Some folk ate in, ...
Grahame00 20.08.2004
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Advantages: Some fascinating history and beautiful areas Disadvantages: Tourist hellholes
The island of Crete is a strange mix. On one hand, it has some of the most fascinating archaeological finds in the world, the island having been home to the Minoan race. On the other, it is the site of some hellish package tour resorts, most of which have sprung up in the last ten to fifteen years.
I first visited Crete almost twenty years ago (around 1981), and although I was only very young at the time, I remembered it fondly as a beautiful and ... ...top.
The highlight of Crete is almost certainly the Minoan palace at Knossos, a little way south of Heraklion - the island's capital, and site of its (somewhat overworked) international airport. Knossos is rumoured to be the site of the Minotaur's labyrinth, and parts of the palace have been restored to how it is thought to have been in the time of King Minos. It is a very large archaeological site, and really quite impressive.
The Samarian gorge ...
MykReeve 02.07.2000
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Advantages: Good fun, the people are friendly Disadvantages: none
A few months ago I went on holiday to Crete, and stayed in a town called Malia. We were lucky to be staying in an apartment which was very close to the town and beach. Malia attracts lots of youngsters with plenty of nightclubs and taverna's to choose from. Although the nightlife in Malia is excellent, Malia is also suitable for families with small children. There's plenty of architecture and sites to visit during your stay. And the beach is so beautiful, ... ...There's plenty of water sports available from the banana ride, paragliding and the big rubber rings what you sit in that the boats pull. For the less adventerous, you can just lay on a sunbed reading or sleeping.
I went in October, and found this the perfect time of year to go. It wasn't so busy, and not so hot either. The weather was just right. Although at this time things are starting to draw to a close, ie, some of the nightclubs.
If you don't ...
Louise90 16.02.2001
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Advantages: Lots to do, quite cheap Disadvantages: gets really busy
...recently been on holiday to Crete and i found it a good destination for young people. We stayed at the resort of Malia, which seems to be the most lively resort with plenty of bars, clubs and restaurants to choose from. Most of the restaurants offer semi traditional Greek food as well things like chips etc. We found the old town better or food in a more traditional greek setting.
There is also plenty to do during the day - a visit to the Minoan ... ...Theres always the beach as well of course.
IN summary i would rate Crete very highly, particulary for groups of young people who like clubbing but not to such an extend as the Ibiza crowd - and for people who like some history to look at during the day. ...
clarep1 23.10.2000
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Advantages: Everything! Beautiful place, beautiful people, amazing food, amazing culture Disadvantages: not as warm as you would think in early spring (march)
...the ferry from Athens to Crete rather than the plane (though if you want as much time as possible in Crete, I understand if you take the plane). The ferry is a fantastic experience- as long as you don't get motion sickness too easily. You are surrounded by Greek men, women and children- if you choose to get a room, they are very comfortable and easy to get to (there are many different types- from shared rooms of 2 to 8 people to first class luxury ... ...would recommend Western and South-western Crete above all else.. Take a ferry to Chania and continue on from there. Chania itself is a beautiful budding city. Years from now it will definitely be more cosmopolitan and built up, however, it is well on it's way now. There are amazing restaurants there..Food to die for. One around the main tourist area or "old harbor" is le coq (not French) and there is another fantastic one there too on Zambeliou street- ...
sabbene 09.03.2004
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Advantages: beautiful Disadvantages: long time from heracklion airport
i went to Crete in 1999, my mum and dad payed for me to go with my boyfriend after doing well im my GCSE's. we decided to go some where where the only night life were a few pubs and a night club, cocktail bars and a few shops. if this sounds like the ideal holiday plakias is the place to be (south) it was cheap to go and we had a fabulous time.
we stayed in apartments which were known to the locals as the green apartments as the owner did nothing ... ...you love greece plakias in Crete is typically greek, its fantastic, if you stood on our balcony we had mountains all round us, and the beach in the middle it was beautiful, it was my secind time in greece and i am so in love with the place.
this is a ideal spot for people of any ages who want to relax and have the option of dining and cocktailing in beautiful surroundings. ...
zoelou 19.03.2001
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Advantages: Diversity, Culture, History, Excitment Disadvantages: Very easy to see nothing and just relax on a beach
...to return. Unlike most islands Crete has everything from Modern watersports to ancient ruins and breathtaking terrain.
In the two weeks we visited Satorini, a volcanic island where a civilisation was wiped out 4000 BC. Of the 1% uncovered so far after digging through 30 feet of volcanic rock they discovered a civilisation which had running water, 2 storey buildings and flushing toilets 6000 years ago.
Elswere back on Crete there are other marvels ... ...in Europe not to be occupied by teh Romains and indead teh German in WWII.
In addition to history there are the night clubs, all night bars, fishing, water skiing, diving and of course excellent beaches to sunbath. Crete is an excellent location for young and old. ...
mlb1871 03.08.2000
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Advantages: Plenty to see and do Disadvantages: Club 18-30 crowd could be a bit loud
...island off the coast of Crete which started out as a Venetian fortress, and became a leper colony, which was in use until as recently as the 1950's. The guides on the island give a really good tour of the island, and the colony which is being restored.
There is also some really good scuba diving in Crete. We traveled to Hersonosis to do our dives, which were all great fun.
My only quibble would be that a week is not long enough to see Crete, as ... ...excellent excuse to return in the future.
Travel by public transport is easy, and cheap, with busses running every half hour or so.
I would have absolutely no problem recommending Crete to anyone as there is something to suit all tastes. From pubs/clubs to ruins and watersports. ...
dalg 26.07.2000 (21.02.2001)
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Advantages: sunshine, fabulous food, great music, beautiful mountains and lovely beaches! Disadvantages: being vegetarain is not always easy!
I went to Crete for the first two weeks in June, a perfect time as its hot but not too busy.
We got a flight to athens and turned up at the port and jumped on a Catamaran to Crete. It was quick and fairly cheap.
We spent the first two nights in Hania, again we just turned up and got a room when we arrived. I should state here that we had the Lonely Planet Guide to Crete which is excellent! We stayed in a lovely little hostel and Hania is a lovely ... ...bar that has live Crete music every night, it looks terrible from the outside (and the inside actually!) but the musicians are fantastic and the dancing great fun too. Ask at the front side restaurants for directions.
From Hania we went to Georgiopoulis which is very touristy and I wouldn't necessarily recommend but a friend of mine from Athens told us to go and to go to the lake nearby - it was worth it! A beautiful quiet lake where you can hire ...
ebretherick 03.08.2005
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Advantages: Facilities, activities for children, safe environment Disadvantages: Crete gets extremely hot in July and August
...from a family holiday in Crete I thought I would share my experience with everyone.
My wife, 2 year old son and I spent two weeks at the Aritti Village Villas in Aghios Niklaos on the northern coast of Crete and as this was our first foreign holiday with our young son my wife and I were apprehensive about how we would cope. As it turned out we need not have worried. The Cretan people are extremely friendly and helpful and the staff at the Aritti ... ...with the excellent facilities made it hard to leave the complex to visit any of the numerous attractions to be found on Crete.
In summary I would whole-heartedly recommend Crete as a family holiday destination and more specifically I would recommend anyone to stay at the Aritti Village complex. ...
STEVIEMAC30 26.07.2000
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