Crete Island - off the beaten track
 

Hi

I'm going to Crete Island in Greece via http://www.fdm-travel.dk/graekenland/kreta/ with family (husband and our two kids) this september.

Can anyway here recommend us one or more things to experience off the beaten track? Our kids are 11 and 14 years old.

Thanks :)

Your kids are old enough, think about hiking the Samaria Gorge with them. It begins near Chania.

yeah, they would love to do a bit of hiking - thanks for writing me :)

Also in Chania is the nautical museum; a few years ago, there was a full-size replica of Odysseus's ship and a film about sailing/rowing it along his route home, not sure if it is still there.

In addition to the Samaria Gorge which is a longer and more difficult hike, there is the Imbros Gorge, which can be done in a few hours, and you can get transportation to the trail head and exit point. Be sure that every one takes plenty of water while hiking. for more information see this site :
http://www.crete-guide.info/imbros_gorge.htm

another site to look at for ideas for kids is

http://greecewithkids.info/crete

Elefonisi beach is a beautiful beach and perfect for families.

I also recommend the Imbros -- long enough to have a great experience (and NO crowds) ... and short enough that they don't get bored and teen-cranky. And YES, it has narrow parts fully as narrow as Samaria. It just doesn't have the extensive ballyhoo of Samaria, created by the excursion companies. Take a picnic lunch to have halfway down. The walls of the canyon are thick with thyme bushes ... in Spring they're so fragrant, you feel as if you're a roast leg of lamb walking thru the oven, LOL.

Cycling.
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We visited a winery one day and an olive farm/factory the next.
You may need to pre-arrange, maybe, to ensure correct bike size for kids.
One guy cycles with you the other is in the truck with the trailer following you.
Awesome guys - and the views are tremendous!

I echo Imbros - much more relaxed than Imbros and locals say it is just as beautiful. Samara has some serious hikers and less tolerant crowds. We had a car and just drove from there to the beach area. We found a lovely place walking distance to a beautiful beach and a beach town. I cannot say enough about this place. We paid 40€ for a room with a fully equipped kitchen and a back terrace with a beautiful grassed area with hammocks, chairs and a playground. Breakfast was 4£. Walking distance was also two very reasonable tavernas. These people were so lovely.
Damnoni-paradise.kreta-sun.com. We rented our car from Time car. They were great-picked us up at our hotel in Chania and we left the car at our hotel in heraklion. Wonderful company . Have fun!