Tommmo

We're arriving at Heraklion airport on May 4 and driving a rental car direct to Ayios Nikolous to do Easter. After a couple of days we plan to drive for 2 weeks seeing the worthwhile sights hopefully around the whole island without being too rushed. Seems we can get to Matala ok in a day , then make our way to Chora Sfakion and ferry hopefully with the car to Paliochora. We're not interested in the Samaria Gorge hike - too strenuous - and hope to make our way up to Chania at a leisurely rate and make our way along the North - via Rethymon and back to Heraklion for Knossos etc. before ferrying to Naxos.
Like ruins,small towns and ports, tavernas, pensions, traditional life....
Not resorts,big cities, lying on beaches in regimented rows..
Can someone help with route suggestions and also simple accom. and eating ideas?

Tommmo

Feeling a bit neglected here.....what did I do wrong?

travelerjan

Tommo, nothing wrong with your request it's just that we're wrapping presents ... back to you in a few days ... Gud Yul ...

Chania

Your intinery sounds pretty good to me. I wouldn't consider going east of Agios Nic in your timeframe. Don't know about the ferry to Palechora. I have only gone there directly from Chania. You can do the gorge in reverse part way up if you want the experience without the long trek. I did that and you trek to a narrow part and then return to the base. There are also lots of shorter easier treks in Crete to experience mountain villages which I think is even more interesting than trekking a gorge. I did one just east of Agio Nic up to Thripi and it was a great experience. You are not going to Elofonsis beach which is beautiful? I don't have much to offer but this might help by topping your post.

Tommmo

No not into long hikes these days, but your idea of walks ,like the one to Thripi sounds good.
The car ferry Chora Sfakia to Paliochora would save one trip up to the north across the island and looks worthwhile , though it sounds a bit unreliable or not running in May - will have to see.
We're hoping someone has circled the island and can advise the best route and places to stay. I have ordered a car for 2 weeks.
Some people advise it's not worth going East of Ag.Nik while others say it's one of the best parts of Crete, so we're a bit confused on that ......
Anyway we're into Heraklion on May 5 and straight to Ag.Nik in the car for Easter a few days , after that the road to Matala sounds good and a stay there. The rest is hopefully still to come clear....?

Chania

I have been to Sitia (drawn there to see the east but also to take the ferry to island of Karpathos)and to the beach at Vai but if time is limited, the west of the island is more interesting in my view. It is not that the east isn't worth visiting, it is about what is the best to see in your timeframe. Crete is a big island and with 2 weeks, you may want to focus on parts of the island that are interesting and easier to get to. Have a great trip.

CRETESCOT

Hi, Firstly, no matter where you go on Crete you will love it! It seems a pity to miss out on some of the great things while you're in the East if you only arrive and leave Agios Nicolaos for the West. Head for the small village of Plaka and visit Spinalonga (Leper Colony till late-1950's and subject of a great book - "The Island" by Victoria Hislop. If daring, from Plaka you could drive over the mountains (great vies, lovely villages) ending up in the working town of Neapoli and then back to Agios Nicolaos. From Ag Nik you can head slightly further East for Dorian and Minoan sites and lovely villages like Mochlos. Much further East is Sittea, the tropical beach of Vai, amazing Monasteries (Toplou) and Minoan sites such as Zakros and the Valley of the Dead. Heading slightly West (and eventually en-route to Matala etc) see the Minoan Palace at Malia and then head up to the Lassithi Plateau - incredible views and villages that time has forgotten. En-route to the far-West you could visit villages such as Fodelle (El Greco museum) with its orange/lemon groves. If you do not want to spend more than a couple of days in Ag Nik have a look at www.cretefor2.co.uk or www.ownersdirect.co.uk for some property ideas. Also from Rethymnon you can go South and spend a day-or-so in quiet Plakias, from where you have some lovely walks into the hills or visit (by car) the myriad of villages, monasteries (Arkadi, Preveli - famous in Cretan resistance) or other sites. A 'humbling' visit is The Commonwealth Graves Cemetary at Souda Bay. Hope this is helpful and I wish you Kalo Pascha and have a wonderful time in Crete.

Tommmo

Thanks for that. Our plan is coming together ok now and most of the things you suggest are there too.We'll go East as far as Sitia after looking around Ag.Nik. Plaka Spinalonga and Kritsa,then do the main roads drive to Matala with a break at Sissi and Milatos, then come back to see Festos etc. before following the coast again via Plakias as far as Hora Sfakion, then up to the North with Chania and Balos and start heading back to Heraklion via Rethymno etc.
How does that sound for 18 days driving trip?
I'm surprised you mention Lassithi as I hear it has lost it's rural character to some extent and given over to mass tourist bus groups..

kostas987

Hello Tommo
You have made the ideal plan for Crete.This will tell You know very well the island .I want to tell you that Lasithi and northern mentioned are really a tourist area now.The southern part of Ierapetra ie still rural area.(dont forget to visit strogilli island)
The 18 days are few for all this design. We wish you καλο Πάσχα

Tommmo

Thanks Kostas. We tend not to lie on beaches much, so driving is not a problem.....

kikiv

I know this is an old post but bookmarking, beginning stages of planning a two week next spring.