Crete- anyone done the Eastern end lately?
Sep 2nd, 2015, 02:31 PM
#1
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Crete- anyone done the Eastern end lately?
We'll be travelling in Crete in mid September and thought to tour the area from Sitia around to Matala before heading for Chania and surrounds. We've allocated 10 days roughly and would appreciate some advice on what to see and do , stay and eat, if someone has been there lately?. We like studios and tavernas and cooking for ourselves sometimes, great scenery and ruins and a glass of wine on a nice balcony in the evening .....not so happy in tourist crowds
Sep 6th, 2015, 07:17 AM
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The central and south area of Crete is full of archaeological sites including Knossos and the reopened museum and Phastos and Gortys. Gortys in particular has ruins spread out in olive groves on the other side of the road from the official site. After visiting the site plan a walk down the main road and you will see abandoned columns just lying in the dirt then cross the road and go into the olive groves. There are partially excavated ruins and no one around. Its like you have discovered an archaeological treasure. It is thrilling.
On the way to Chania stop in at Rethymnon to visit the Fortezza it is in remarkably good shape. Also just east of Chania visit the 1800 year old site of Ancient Aptera. Don't miss the vaulted Roman cisterns they are outstanding.
Here are some images.
Crete Archeological sites https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...7645085297380/
Heraklion https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...57655935354556
Rethymnon https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...57654700502270
Western Crete http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632115757899/
On the way to Chania stop in at Rethymnon to visit the Fortezza it is in remarkably good shape. Also just east of Chania visit the 1800 year old site of Ancient Aptera. Don't miss the vaulted Roman cisterns they are outstanding.
Here are some images.
Crete Archeological sites https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...7645085297380/
Heraklion https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...57655935354556
Rethymnon https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...57654700502270
Western Crete http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632115757899/
Sep 6th, 2015, 07:45 AM
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It won't have changed much. But there's the ruins at Paleokastro and the palace at Kato Zakros.
Great monastery outside Sitia- can't remember the name- will have to look it up. Lovely wee beaches. Outside Matala you have... Palace etc.. Name gone. Where they found the disc?
Great monastery outside Sitia- can't remember the name- will have to look it up. Lovely wee beaches. Outside Matala you have... Palace etc.. Name gone. Where they found the disc?
Sep 6th, 2015, 01:59 PM
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Thanks guys. It's really the area between Sitia and Matala that seems it's hard to get much info on. Could be a good sign....we'll find out in about a week!
Paleokastro ,Kato Zakros etc. sound exciting and I'm sure we'll discover much more as we go.......
Paleokastro ,Kato Zakros etc. sound exciting and I'm sure we'll discover much more as we go.......
Sep 6th, 2015, 10:10 PM
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There's not much there...
We spent a week based in Palekastro, and enjoyed it a lot. We went as far west as Makriyialos, which is very pretty. As far north as Sitia and Moni Toplou. It's far and away the lease developed part of the island. But it IS a few years ago, now
We spent a week based in Palekastro, and enjoyed it a lot. We went as far west as Makriyialos, which is very pretty. As far north as Sitia and Moni Toplou. It's far and away the lease developed part of the island. But it IS a few years ago, now
Sep 18th, 2015, 04:38 AM
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Sitia is being a good base and Ploimon Studios by the beach just out of town is spotless and quiet ,good kitchen too.We stock up on mezes and wine in the good supermarket and spend evenings there.
Tomorrow we move on though, and hope to find a place as nice along the way......maybe Myrtos or Lendas?
Tomorrow we move on though, and hope to find a place as nice along the way......maybe Myrtos or Lendas?
Sep 30th, 2015, 10:19 AM
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Can recommend Itanos,Myrtos and Xerocambos as nice stops on the way round. Matala always great also the archeological sites around it.
We spent a night in the Amari Valley at Gerani and then after 3 days at wonderful Nathalie's in Chania, travelled the Western end including Paleochora and Sougia before returning our car to Heraklion and flying to Milos. A memorable trip in spite of heavy rains at times....
We spent a night in the Amari Valley at Gerani and then after 3 days at wonderful Nathalie's in Chania, travelled the Western end including Paleochora and Sougia before returning our car to Heraklion and flying to Milos. A memorable trip in spite of heavy rains at times....
