My previous post seems to have gotten lost - so please excuse me if this turns out to be a repeat.

As part of a 3+ week vacation in Greece, my husband and I (late xixties) are spending 8 days in Crete in early October. We will be spending the first 4 days in Chania.

My question is where to spend the last 4 days. We are ardent sightseers - archaeological, cultural, village life, etc. Although we do not care about clubs, we like to stay in places where we can walk around at night and see restaurants, shops etc. We will be leaving Crete from Heraklion so we will probably spend at least the last day and night there. We are planning to rent a car in Chania and return it in Heraklion. We are quite nervous about driving since we have heard so much about bad roads, dangerous curves, and poor signs so we would like to avoid the scary roads. Please help with this part of our itinerary. As always, the advice from this board is a great help. [email protected]

I drove from Chania to the southern coast, stayed in Agia Galini and Matala. Both were charming and both fit your requirement. The road was mountainous for part of the way, thus there were a lot of curves, but it was in good condition. Get yourselves a good map of Crete to take with you.

Kalimera emiller444,

I really liked Plakias (excellent restaurants, nice long beach, great villages close by), more than Agia Galini. And as BLL says, Matala is another good choice--compact with good restaurants, close to Phaestos.

JQ

What are the pros and cons of Eloundra?

Thank you for the help. We are thinking about spending 2 nights in Rethymnon and visiting some of the towns suggested.

Can anyone suggest a hotel(as much under $200 a night as possible) close to both the old town of Rethymnon and a beach?

Rethymnon is on the North Coast, not near the South Coast towns mentioned. Also, if you have experienced Chania Old Town, Rethymnon Old Town will disappoint -- smaller, more touristy. Rethymnon has a big Hotel "strip" on a beach east of town, not too charming.

Here's a great map! on which to plot an itinerary. When u click on it, it gets Huuuuge & you scroll around on it. Shows all Roads & distances (KM).
http://66.29.86.75/crete-maps/Crete-eot.png

Have you considered this itinerary? NOTE: ALL GOOD ROADS. Take the "big Green road" (E-75) to just below Rethymnon, then head S. on #97 thru Spili (a great sight-- its famous lion fountains). Stay at a beach town --Ag. Galini or Matala. Latter is my fave because of the cave-cliffs over beach (climb them??). Then stop at Festos (Phaistos) -- a terrif Minoan palace UNrestored -- and head NE toward the Iraklion area.

You probably want to see Knossos but no need to stay in Iraklion unless u have specific reason. When u get near Iraklion, take bypass (green road) 5 km and turn South again to Knossos. Afterwards, instead of driving into busy, confusing Concrete City Iraklion -- drive to coast town like Kateros (see map) for the night, only a few KM from the airport.

THEN (here's the beauty part): I'm guessing you plan to leave on the 9:45 fast-ferry to Santorini. SO... by pre-arrangement with your car agency at time of rental, turn over your car at the AIRPORT to the rental guy at 8:30 am or so, and have HIM drive you to the ferry dock!

DRIVING--this route is on good roads, with paved shoulders. The only thing to remember is that Greeks will often pass you on a double-line, so you are expected to edge onto the shoulder to allow this. C'est la vie.

SIGNAGE--who told u signs were bad?
Most are in English as well as Greek and Historic Sites have special BROWN signs to look for. Main diff is that US signage allows for ADHD and gives you THREE signs warning ahead of say a turnoff. Greece expects you to be a QUICK study, and gives you ONE sign, just before the turn. Keep alert and you will be fine!

travelerjan - you are indeed a wealth of information! I am headed to Crete in late Sept, visiting Belgian friends who have a house near Rethymnon. You have so much detailed knowledge that I thought maybe I'd try a few specific questions. I know they will be fabulous hosts, but I also think its good to have some idea of what we would like to do and maybe be able to plan a day or two where we can leave them alone for a while. (Maybe I should have started a new post, sorry if this isn't good board etiquette.)

We will be in the village of Xiro Chorio, about 10 min from Rhetymnon.

1) I would like to hike Samaria, but don't want our hosts to have to drive hours to accommodate this. Thoughts?

2) Guided cycling trips: any ideas on half day excursions in this area. We are road cyclists at home - not pros, but regularly do 30 + miles. I have read about trips on this board but wonder how crazy it is to ride on these roads.

3) Cooking classes/village tours. I have also read about these activities in some areas, are any of these near where we will be staying?

Thank you soooo much!

Cindy -- e-mail me & we can set up a phone call. All that keyboarding!!