progol

We are a spirited, moderately active couple in the late 50s & 60s, planning a 16 night trip to Greece for starting on Sept 15. My trip plans are Crete (6 days), Santorini (3), Naxos (4), Delphi (1), Athens (2). We arrive in Chania on Sept. 16 around 3pm.

I'm having difficulty deciding about Day 4 of my trip. We are spending 6 days on Crete. Right now, night #4 is unscheduled. So far, I have nights 1-3 in Chania, night 5 in Matala, night 6 in Heraklion.
1) Do I add the 4th night to Chania or stay in Plakias?
2) Should I reserve now or decide when we get there?

I go back and forth on this one. I do like having things pre-scheduled -- it eases my overanxious, planning side. So I would prefer to know where I'm going to stay ahead of time. But this is one I just can't quite make up my mind about.

One of the initial reasons for traveling to Plakias is to walk the Imbros Gorge, although it seems to be just as easy to do it from Chania as a day trip (maybe even easier?). Right now, DH has developed foot pain (plantar fascitis) so it's up in the air how extensive our walking will be. I could still see traveling to Plakias, whether or not we walk the gorge.

The plan is to stop in Phaestos on the way to Matala (day 5). The last day, we'll go to Knossos before we arrive in Heraklion (Iraklion?). Other sites/sights may be added, but those are the focus points.

3) If we do stay in Plakias, how much time will it take for us to drive to Phaestos?

Reasons for staying in Chania:
-A wonderful city worth staying in longer.
-Not moving around as much

Reasons for traveling to Plakias (or other location)
-Get a taste of the southern coast

Feedback much appreciated!

Paule

sheila

They're about an hour and a half apart. If it were me, I'd do one south coast stop- probably Plakias, but Matala would do, rather than make two moves.

clausar

I love Plakias, and when i use working in Crete ( Rethymnon) i used to drive the 45 km dailly just to enjoy the beach of Plakias and swim.
The beach has pebbles at the beginning, but you should drive all the way till the end of the coastal road, where the sandy part is. with sand dunes.....that was my favourite part.
Personally i liked Plakias better than Matala, mainly because of the beach. In Matala there are rocky formations in the sea, making swimming less enjoyable than elsewhere.
From Plakias to Phaestos it is about 1 hour drive.
Now driving from Chania to Plakias there are 2 routes , the easiest is passing through the Kourtalioti gorge ( which is ending at the Preveli beach, unfortuanely destroyed by free campers last year)or you can also drive through the Kotsifou gorge.... both very scenic with many spots to take great pictures. Near Plakias there is also Frangocastello, a very interesting fortress on a wonderful beach.

progol

Thanks Clausar for the great information. Very helpful and so tempting. I have to remind myself that I can't go everywhere and see everything (or every beach)

I am also reminding myself that the first day trip will be to Elafonissi.

Right now, I'm leaning toward an extra night in Chania so we're not on the move quite as much. But of course, this makes it so tempting....

progol

Keeping it simple...I decided to stay an extra day in Chania after all and do day trips. Maybe we'll go to Plakias as a day trip..

Thanks for all your help!
Paule

CaptCanuck

We are still in Greece on our trip and we spent 6 nights in Crete. We loved Chania, but for us 2 nights was plenty. We spent 3 nights down south and thoroughly enjoyed it. Our final night was also in Heraklion (great dinner at the rooftop restaurant of our hotel, Lato). We stayed in Frangokastello and Triopetra down south.
Cheers,
CC

progol

Thanks for your comments, CC! It sounds like you're having a great trip.

I'm keeping it simple with the plan of 4 nights Chania (3 days), with day trips, and then on to Matala and Iraklion. Hubby felt more inclined to stay the 4 nights, so I'll follow his instinct on this.

Paule

parosblue

I love Plakias, but I think you are making the right decision to linger in Chania.
Less jumping around will let you savor Crete at your own pace.

progol

Thanks, parosblue,
Often the hardest part about planning a trip is deciding what you won't see or do. Greece has so many possibiliites that it's hard to narrow it down, especially when you read travel boards! At a certain point in my planning, I need to put mental blinders on so that I don't get sidetracked with one more place to go.

Thanks everyone for all the help.