anyone have any good ideas on the best places to hit in Crete? The wife and I will be in Greece from 9/22 to 10/5 and would like to spend a big part of it on Crete.

Western Crete is beautiful, both north and south shores. Use historic Chania as your base.Wonderful dining options like Taman and Well of the Turk. Hike Samaria Gorge and spend a night on the south shore in Loutro. Visit Elafonisi and Falasarna beaches..visit Vamos village area.

Define "best".

i would define best as a place to serve as a home base to see the nicest areas of the island: beaches, dining, nightlife, history...

The island is too large to use one location as a home base. To really explore Crete it takes 2 weeks with a rental car to cover the 'best' there is to see and do. Since you have about that amount of time I recommend you spend some time in the northwest around Chania, then move down to the south shore to stay in or near Loutro, then make your way east to Agia Galini or Matala, then back north to heraklion and your flight back to Athens.

We spent two weeks doing all that brotherlee suggested with the exception of going east of Heraklion. We found it hard to leave Chania on day trips as we liked there so much.You can't go wrong on this beautiful island.

Elafonisi Beach is stunning. There is an island that you can wade to from the main beach, picnic basket balanced on your head. It is wonderfully free of commercialism. Don't miss it.

Elafonisi Beach is stunning. There is an island that you can wade to from the main beach, picnic basket balanced on your head. It is wonderfully free of commercialism. Don't miss it.

Good ideas shared already. Our favorite spot was on the south coast and we stayed in a lovely village called Mirthios overlooking the sea. It is on the hillside above Plakias. Great beaches and food and people, fun day trips.

Our all time favourite place in Crete is Paleochora on the south west corner. But you need to look at a topographic map to see why the roads down't go where you think they should.

Go to Knossos, and the archaeological museum in Iraklion. Chill. It's a fantastic place