Greek Easter 2013
Sep 15th, 2012, 05:53 AM
#1
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Greek Easter 2013
Having wanted to visit Greece at Easter for some time , we have booked 4 nights in Chania in May 2013 (3rd-6th).
We put this in place on the basis that we could cancel without penalty if we changed our minds closer to the time.
Flights are now available and we will have to take a decision.
We have been to Crete before and like it very much. However we are always wanting to see a new bit of Greece.
Easter is earlier than we would normally visit Greece (although we would out of choice always go in May because of the flowers).
Where could we travel from Crete which would have accomodation and restaurants open after the 6th May?. We don't want to go miles away and would be happy with somewhere interesting.-pretty scenery, walking and good food if poss. We don't usually fly within Greece so somewhere with an operating ferry schedule at this time of year.
Within this area we have visited Karpathos, Rhodes(although my husband hasn't been there and its 42 years since my visit) Lipsi, Patmos, Kalymnos, Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Syros, then the Saronic Islands and the Sporades.
I'd welcome all views and look forward to hearing what you think.
Thanks.
We put this in place on the basis that we could cancel without penalty if we changed our minds closer to the time.
Flights are now available and we will have to take a decision.
We have been to Crete before and like it very much. However we are always wanting to see a new bit of Greece.
Easter is earlier than we would normally visit Greece (although we would out of choice always go in May because of the flowers).
Where could we travel from Crete which would have accomodation and restaurants open after the 6th May?. We don't want to go miles away and would be happy with somewhere interesting.-pretty scenery, walking and good food if poss. We don't usually fly within Greece so somewhere with an operating ferry schedule at this time of year.
Within this area we have visited Karpathos, Rhodes(although my husband hasn't been there and its 42 years since my visit) Lipsi, Patmos, Kalymnos, Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Syros, then the Saronic Islands and the Sporades.
I'd welcome all views and look forward to hearing what you think.
Thanks.
Sep 15th, 2012, 06:31 AM
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From Crete you can either take the FlyingCat 4 route to Santorini, Ios, Paros, and Mykonos, or the Prevellis route that stops at several smaller islands en route to Rhodes. While FlyingCat 4 runs daily (except every other Wednesday) Prevellis is a 2 day/week ferry. Here is the October timetable for Prevellis, which is likely to be similar next May, as this is a year-round route: http://tinyurl.com/8r8db9d
Of course with a combination of ferries you can go anywhere in the Aegean.
Of course with a combination of ferries you can go anywhere in the Aegean.
Sep 15th, 2012, 08:41 AM
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You can also fly direct from Heraklion, Crete to several islands, including Santorini and Rhodes.
About changing your mind closer to your travel dates: be very aware that last-minute reservations for cars, ferries, planes and hotels are extremely difficult to get right around Easter weekend in Greece.
About changing your mind closer to your travel dates: be very aware that last-minute reservations for cars, ferries, planes and hotels are extremely difficult to get right around Easter weekend in Greece.
Sep 15th, 2012, 08:41 AM
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Sorry, I meant to include the airline link: www.minoanair.com
Sep 15th, 2012, 09:02 AM
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There is also a 1 day/wk ferry from Kissamos (near Chania) to Gythio in the southern Peloponnese. This would be an interesting route, as it would allow you to go directly from Crete to Laconia and Messenia, two beautiful regions on the southern coast. I was in Messenia last September, and the beauty of that region made me rethink my obsession with the islands.
Sep 15th, 2012, 11:09 AM
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Since you mentioned Easter..
There are many regional differences in Greece, in how locals celebrate Easter.
The most traditional Easter celebrations you will find in Southern Greece, in the regions of Evia, Fthiotida, Fokida, Evritania, Aitoloakarnania and the Peloponnese....
In Greece Easter is a much bigger celebration compared to Christmas, and since it is spring everything is full of flowers...
Heimdall gave you some excellend advice.. the Southern Peloponnese would be ideal for a unique Easter celebration together with the locals.
Coastal Messinia and Laconia but also the mountainous Arcadia would be ideal for an unforgettable Easter
There are many regional differences in Greece, in how locals celebrate Easter.
The most traditional Easter celebrations you will find in Southern Greece, in the regions of Evia, Fthiotida, Fokida, Evritania, Aitoloakarnania and the Peloponnese....
In Greece Easter is a much bigger celebration compared to Christmas, and since it is spring everything is full of flowers...
Heimdall gave you some excellend advice.. the Southern Peloponnese would be ideal for a unique Easter celebration together with the locals.
Coastal Messinia and Laconia but also the mountainous Arcadia would be ideal for an unforgettable Easter
Sep 15th, 2012, 07:12 PM
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We spent Easter in Paleochora in southwest Crete a few years ago and enjoyed it immensely. Because the town is small, we really felt a part of the celebrations: midnight lighting of the candles, fireworks, burning of the Judas effigy. It was wild like a combination of Christmas, New Years, and the 4th of July!
However, I also highly recommend the Peloponnese. Never been there for Easter, but it is probably my favorite part of Greece -- very laidback, friendly, few tourists and so much to see Mystras, Monemvasia, Mycenae just to name a few.
However, I also highly recommend the Peloponnese. Never been there for Easter, but it is probably my favorite part of Greece -- very laidback, friendly, few tourists and so much to see Mystras, Monemvasia, Mycenae just to name a few.
Sep 17th, 2012, 10:49 AM
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This is really interesting.
The ferry towards Rhodes does not call at any islands which I would immediately jump at. I remember turning down a trip to Kassos and speaking afterwards to people who took it who said that there was very little there.I think I have a slight aversion to Rhodes itself but it is probably based on ignorance after so many years and I've no doubt that it could be overcome.
The southern Peleponnese interests me. Do you know the website for the ferry line and could we hire a car from Gythio(looked for a long time for that until I found Yithion) which we could drop off in Athens? Are there any recommendations for places to stay Heimdall especially as you have been there?
Would there be as much pressure on accomodation and transport after Easter Monday?
Thank you for some interesting ideas.
The ferry towards Rhodes does not call at any islands which I would immediately jump at. I remember turning down a trip to Kassos and speaking afterwards to people who took it who said that there was very little there.I think I have a slight aversion to Rhodes itself but it is probably based on ignorance after so many years and I've no doubt that it could be overcome.
The southern Peleponnese interests me. Do you know the website for the ferry line and could we hire a car from Gythio(looked for a long time for that until I found Yithion) which we could drop off in Athens? Are there any recommendations for places to stay Heimdall especially as you have been there?
Would there be as much pressure on accomodation and transport after Easter Monday?
Thank you for some interesting ideas.
Sep 17th, 2012, 12:39 PM
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The ferry from Kissamos to Gytheio is http://www.gtp.gr/RoutesResults.asp?...LC10GYT,9480,7 . It's a LANE Lines ferry called VITSENTZOS KORNAROS. The route is year-round, and will probably be running the same timetable next year. Be very careful with Greek place names, because there are many different spellings in English, and the same name can reappear in different parts of Greece.
I'm no expert on Southern Peloponnese, but near Gytheio is the Mani Peninsula, and Mystras & Monemvassia not far away. I've seen photos of the beaches at Elafonisi, and they look absolutely stunning. I stayed near Kalamata, which has many beautiful seaside villages in the area. One day we visited Ancient Messini, and there were only about six other visitors on that huge archaeological site (quite a contrast with busy Athens).
There will be pressure on transport after Easter Monday, with people returning home after the holidays. Can't help you with the rental car, sorry.
I'm no expert on Southern Peloponnese, but near Gytheio is the Mani Peninsula, and Mystras & Monemvassia not far away. I've seen photos of the beaches at Elafonisi, and they look absolutely stunning. I stayed near Kalamata, which has many beautiful seaside villages in the area. One day we visited Ancient Messini, and there were only about six other visitors on that huge archaeological site (quite a contrast with busy Athens).
There will be pressure on transport after Easter Monday, with people returning home after the holidays. Can't help you with the rental car, sorry.
Sep 17th, 2012, 01:02 PM
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There is no car rental in Gytheio.
Closest one should be in Kalamata !!
The Mani area ( both the Laconian as well as the Messinian Mani )is absolutely beautiful.
There are so many places to visit, such as Areopolis, Vathia, Diros Caves, Monemvasia, Elafonissos ( mainly in the summer though) but also Stoupa, Kardamili or the Taigetos villages..
Kalamata is a city i like very much, full of life....
It has a nice castle, a wonderful park with old locomotives .. and a nice old part... and west of Kalamata you can visit the Anciant Messini and drive further to Methoni, Koroni and Pylos.... there's so much to do and see !!!
Unlike Crete Easter is a huge celebration Peloponnese.. especially on Easter Sunday...
Booking in advance is advisable since Greeks have the habit to celebrate Easter in the countryside, there will lots of traffic back to Athens every day after Easter Sunday and for 2-3 days, as people use to stay longer away from Athens.
Have spent quite some Easter on Crete and i was very disappointed especially on Easter Sunday... the best celebration i experienced was at the hotel of a friend.. with many German and Scandinavian tourists....lol
Closest one should be in Kalamata !!
The Mani area ( both the Laconian as well as the Messinian Mani )is absolutely beautiful.
There are so many places to visit, such as Areopolis, Vathia, Diros Caves, Monemvasia, Elafonissos ( mainly in the summer though) but also Stoupa, Kardamili or the Taigetos villages..
Kalamata is a city i like very much, full of life....
It has a nice castle, a wonderful park with old locomotives .. and a nice old part... and west of Kalamata you can visit the Anciant Messini and drive further to Methoni, Koroni and Pylos.... there's so much to do and see !!!
Unlike Crete Easter is a huge celebration Peloponnese.. especially on Easter Sunday...
Booking in advance is advisable since Greeks have the habit to celebrate Easter in the countryside, there will lots of traffic back to Athens every day after Easter Sunday and for 2-3 days, as people use to stay longer away from Athens.
Have spent quite some Easter on Crete and i was very disappointed especially on Easter Sunday... the best celebration i experienced was at the hotel of a friend.. with many German and Scandinavian tourists....lol
Sep 17th, 2012, 09:50 PM
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I was hoping clausar would join in, as my knowledge of that area is very limited. I did visit the seaside villages of Methoni, Koroni, and Pylos, as well as Petalidi where I was staying, but didn't get to Laconia on that trip.
It seems if you want to rent a car, then you need to get from Gytheio to Kalamata. That would probably work well as a starting point for explorations of Messenia and Laconia. Afterwards you could return the car to Kalamata and take the express bus from there to Athens, or head up to Nafplio for more adventures.
There is a new motorway that makes trips between Athens and Kalamata on the express bus very quick. Olympic Air also has flights between those two cities.
It seems if you want to rent a car, then you need to get from Gytheio to Kalamata. That would probably work well as a starting point for explorations of Messenia and Laconia. Afterwards you could return the car to Kalamata and take the express bus from there to Athens, or head up to Nafplio for more adventures.
There is a new motorway that makes trips between Athens and Kalamata on the express bus very quick. Olympic Air also has flights between those two cities.
Sep 19th, 2012, 01:42 PM
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This is all so interesting that what it has made me do is doubt our original plan to spend Easter in Chania! Should we think instead about going to the Peleponese for Easter? Its a rhetorical question because you have already given me enough information to think that.
Just one last question - any recommendations for where to stay ?- actual hotels.
Many thanks to you all.
Just one last question - any recommendations for where to stay ?- actual hotels.
Many thanks to you all.
Nov 26th, 2012, 11:20 PM
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As we get closer to 2013 and Easter, we are firming up our plans.
I would like to walk the Samaria Gorge again- last done in 1979. Our plans involve being in Chania Friday night until Monday when we head to Heraklion to catch the ferry out on Tuesday.
Is Saturday a day when buses and boats will be running? I have in mind that I do not know how much of the weekend is a "closed down" holiday. I imagine that Easter Sunday will not be a good day for public transport- but I could be very wrong!
I would like to walk the Samaria Gorge again- last done in 1979. Our plans involve being in Chania Friday night until Monday when we head to Heraklion to catch the ferry out on Tuesday.
Is Saturday a day when buses and boats will be running? I have in mind that I do not know how much of the weekend is a "closed down" holiday. I imagine that Easter Sunday will not be a good day for public transport- but I could be very wrong!
Nov 27th, 2012, 12:36 AM
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Buses and boats will be running, yes.... even on Easter Sunday..
Shops cafes and restaurants will be open... Crete is the number 1 destination of Greece, and the season starts at the end of March.....
Have spent Easter at Chania, we had a nice festive meal in the old city near the harbour after the church ( that means after midnight)...
The Samaria Gorge will most probably be closed due to high water... Most of the times it opens around the middle of May.
Shops cafes and restaurants will be open... Crete is the number 1 destination of Greece, and the season starts at the end of March.....
Have spent Easter at Chania, we had a nice festive meal in the old city near the harbour after the church ( that means after midnight)...
The Samaria Gorge will most probably be closed due to high water... Most of the times it opens around the middle of May.
Nov 28th, 2012, 09:39 PM
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Frances, I think you are going to have to play it by ear when it comes to Samaria Gorge, and check when you get to Crete. I've never walked it myself, but according to some sources it opened on May 1st in 2012. When it opens in 2013 no one will know for sure until much nearer the date.
Check these links:
http://www.west-crete.com/samaria-gorge.htm
http://www.west-crete.com/blog/when-...pen-this-year/
I understand there are other gorges in Crete that aren't as well known as Samaria, but would give you alternatives. Clausar will know about them.
Check these links:
http://www.west-crete.com/samaria-gorge.htm
http://www.west-crete.com/blog/when-...pen-this-year/
I understand there are other gorges in Crete that aren't as well known as Samaria, but would give you alternatives. Clausar will know about them.
Nov 30th, 2012, 02:03 AM
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The Samaria Gorge is the most famous gorge of Crete, because of it's size, and it is absolutely beautiful, especially during the Spring, when the weather is not very hot.
Crete has many other gorges that are not very well known..
The Imbros Gorge is located in Imbros near Sfakia, and it is an easy to walk gorge
The Kourtaliotiko Gorge is on the way to Plakias , south of Rethymno, you will have to pass throught it with the car anyway. The gorge ends at the Preveli Lake, one of the very few locations of Crete with Palms.
The Kotsifou Gorge, a tiny but very scenic gorge, just north of Plakias in Southern Crete. You can drive through it, and it is very spectacular....
Crete has many other gorges, here is a link with more info about them :
http://www.explorecrete.com/hiking/gorges.html
Crete has many other gorges that are not very well known..
The Imbros Gorge is located in Imbros near Sfakia, and it is an easy to walk gorge
The Kourtaliotiko Gorge is on the way to Plakias , south of Rethymno, you will have to pass throught it with the car anyway. The gorge ends at the Preveli Lake, one of the very few locations of Crete with Palms.
The Kotsifou Gorge, a tiny but very scenic gorge, just north of Plakias in Southern Crete. You can drive through it, and it is very spectacular....
Crete has many other gorges, here is a link with more info about them :
http://www.explorecrete.com/hiking/gorges.html
