Crete in 6 days/5 nights. Good Itinerary to see entire island?
Feb 12th, 2013, 03:37 PM
#21
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 493
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I vote with parosblue. One night in Heraklion is frankly one night too many and will subject you to the most insane, dangerous traffic I have seen in 20 trips to Europe. If you must see Knossos (we were underwhelmed), then get out fast and head to Rethymno and onto Chania. Wonderful old towns, Elafonisi is spectacular - get someone to show you how to drive there over the mountain!
Feb 12th, 2013, 04:22 PM
#22
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,356
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tommmo
It's a bit difficult to describe it... but
Yes you can drive through the Kotsifou Gorge when leaving Plakias to Rethymno...
If you look at Google Maps, you will see the road that takes you to Spili ( as you come from the South)and then you have to pass through Koxare and Lefkogeia on your way to Plakias
oliverandharry
Traffic in the city of Heraklion is not that bad and above all not dangerous. ( regardless of your experience)
The city has some nice spots, i like walking from the Eleftherias Square to the Liontaria fountain , for a coffee break amongst locals... you can see there the Venetian Loggia, continue to the municipal Market, where you can buy cretan delicacies that are difficult to find even in Athens.
Crete has an amazing cuisine, that is amongst the healthiest in the world, you won't find in common tavernas that offer homogenized "greek food" ( which is adjusted to the taste of tourists). Locals know where these restaurants are, and can take you there. Cretan restaurants are very popular in Athens in the last 5 years....
Elafonisi is really nice and driving there isn't hard at all... but compared to Elafonissi i find Balos to be even more beautiful and unspoiled.
Years ago i tried to drive to Balos, as i was seeing a road to it, after a few kilometers i had to turn back though, as the roads that i saw were only designed for donkeys....
It's a bit difficult to describe it... but
Yes you can drive through the Kotsifou Gorge when leaving Plakias to Rethymno...
If you look at Google Maps, you will see the road that takes you to Spili ( as you come from the South)and then you have to pass through Koxare and Lefkogeia on your way to Plakias
oliverandharry
Traffic in the city of Heraklion is not that bad and above all not dangerous. ( regardless of your experience)
The city has some nice spots, i like walking from the Eleftherias Square to the Liontaria fountain , for a coffee break amongst locals... you can see there the Venetian Loggia, continue to the municipal Market, where you can buy cretan delicacies that are difficult to find even in Athens.
Crete has an amazing cuisine, that is amongst the healthiest in the world, you won't find in common tavernas that offer homogenized "greek food" ( which is adjusted to the taste of tourists). Locals know where these restaurants are, and can take you there. Cretan restaurants are very popular in Athens in the last 5 years....
Elafonisi is really nice and driving there isn't hard at all... but compared to Elafonissi i find Balos to be even more beautiful and unspoiled.
Years ago i tried to drive to Balos, as i was seeing a road to it, after a few kilometers i had to turn back though, as the roads that i saw were only designed for donkeys....
Feb 13th, 2013, 01:01 PM
#23
Ahh annhig, I can see you out there with your 2CV, pith helmet and binoculars....
I think roadworks have gone on a bit these days hopefully?>>
I hope so too, Tommo, but i wouldn't bet my pith-helmet on it. I've mentioned it on several threads on this board, but I've yet to hear back from anyone who's driven the mythical road along the south coast.
Perhaps like Shangri-la, it only appears to the very, very fortunate.
I think roadworks have gone on a bit these days hopefully?>>
I hope so too, Tommo, but i wouldn't bet my pith-helmet on it. I've mentioned it on several threads on this board, but I've yet to hear back from anyone who's driven the mythical road along the south coast.
Perhaps like Shangri-la, it only appears to the very, very fortunate.
