anon

We're looking for a nice, warm, inexpensive (not dirt cheap, just not 5*) place to spend a week in Oct or Nov. We like to relax, eat, walk, sightsee, etc. Does anyone have recommendations for either Crete or Malta? Thank you.

Sheila

Not been to Malta (it gets a bad name round here for being boring). I love Crete. <BR> <BR>The place we stayed last year advertises at <BR> <BR>http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/ind...perty/2799.htm. <BR> <BR>I posted atrip report which you should find by searching Paleohora or even Crete; describes tavernas and walks and sightseeing places. Or I could email if you want

elvira

Not been to Crete, but did spend 2 weeks in Malta. The country defies normal descriptions. There are fantastic beaches, but they are away from Valletta, the big city. There are several resorts, especially around St Paul's Bay. The island has many, MANY, archaeological sites, but they aren't easy to find (no big billboards to lead the way). The buses will take you almost everywhere; I don't recommend driving as rules of the road are more "suggestions" than requirements. There are ferries to Gozo, which is a pretty island with MORE prehistoric stuff. <BR> <BR>Malta, per square foot, has more Catholic churches than I've ever seen in my life - and I've been to Italy. <BR> <BR>Where's Simon? If you can get the stupid search function to work, search Malta in the text.

Kavey

Just to be difficult I am going to throw in anothe suggestion into the mix... <BR> <BR>Madeira <BR> <BR>Warm and very attractive and great for relaxing, walking and very gently sightseeing, also greeeeaaaaaaaaaat food. <BR> <BR>Havent been to Malta but would like to. <BR> <BR>Crete is also wonderful, but you need to avoid the many resorts dedicated to the young, brash and drunk (which was me when I went) and venture out to the historic and natural sites, (which I did, not THAT young and brash to miss out) and enjoy the change of pace.

Steve

We have been to Crete fourteen times now but always in the holiday season. <BR>In Oct/Nov when the main tourist season is over we would recommend you stay in Chania town which is really beautiful, it has a picture postcard Venetian harbour and lots of restraunts and shops (which will close down in winter in tourist resorts. It would be a great base to visit Western and South Western Crete, which are to our mind the best parts of the island. THere is a good bus station in Chania and car hire is cheap - £115 for eleven days this June.

Karen

I also can recommend Chania, Crete. It was a lovely town with a beautiful harbour with all the restaurants and shops you'd need. We stayed at the Casa Delfino which was a small hotel in the heart of the old town that was once a part of a renaissance palace. It was great. Enjoy wherever you decide to go.

Margarita

We spent 5 days in Malta last December and I found the island to be boring. The people were kind and friendly, public transportation available, food so-so, some archeological sites but without information. Overall, not very interesting. I would go to Crete.