Help nailing down Crete itinerary
 

We will be in Crete for six full days (seven nights) in early September. We'll stay the first three nights in Chania, exploring western Crete (Paleohora, Sougia and Imbros areas), then head toward Rethimno before heading south toward Matala. What places would you recommend we visit on our loop east before heading back to Herkalion to fly out? We like taking the "road less traveled", so small scenic areas are preferable to large resorts but I know there are some beautiful places on the eastern part of the island. Our intention is to visit Knossos in the morning before taking an early afternoon flight out, but I haven't been able to confirm their opening hours; we'd be going there on a Monday and was told it doesn't open until noon. Does anyone have the URL for their official site?

Also, if you have accommodation recommendations, I'd like them too. The places that have been recommended to me are already booked up and many of the Trip Advisor reviews have made me leery.

Could anyone recommend a good Crete map? I have a Michelin one; is there a better one?

Thanks in advance.

This is the official Knossos site

http://www.culture.gr/h/3/eh351.jsp?obj_id=2369

It's open at 8.30am every day except holidays which are listed under "information" on teh web site.

Two places to visit would be the palace at Zakros, and the museum at Sitia. Oh, and Moni Toplou. Beaches at Chonia, oustide palekastro; and at Vai

my top tip for crete is to visit the Lychnostatis open-air folk museum...it seems to be totally off the tourist guide radar and when we were there in August it was practically deserted..but it was one of the highlights of our trip. I only found out about it through posters at the local bus stops.

Don't be put off by the dreadful location..surrounded by boozy bars, waterparks and a go-cart track! get inside and it is a peaceful and interesting place to spend a couple of hours, with relocated buildings showing traditional Crete life and a small but lovely garden with lots of interesting 'stuff' (sculptures made from beachcombed wood when we were there). the shepherds stone shelter, as well as being a fascinating structure - a sort of dry-stone wall spiral - is filled with poetry written on the walls by the shepherd. they have a programme of talks/demonstrations too.

One of the loveliest museums I've been to anywhere.

link:http://www.lychnostatis.gr/english.html

Allow me to make some suggestions for the Chania area

If I were you I would spend a day in Elafonisi (southwestern end of Crete) http://www.amazingcrete.com/crete/elafonisi_island.htm, a day in Gramvousa and Balos lagoon (by boat from Kissamos, near Chania) http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-pi...-pictures.html
and a day in Falasarna (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jojo32/187145748/).

For Knossos according to the culture ministry it is open 08.30-20.00 every day...
http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/3/eh355.jsp?obj_id=2369
There are telephone numbers there if you want to be sure...

For maps we usually use Road map editions which is Greek but has all locations in Latin characters too ;)

Best meal in Crete had it in Argyroupoli, a village with a lot of water springs close to Rethymnon...

I second the recommendation of the Greek Road(www.road.gr) maps and the beaches Io gave you links to..I bought the maps online from the website and they mailed them to me at home before the trip.
Loutro on the south coast of Crete is a nice change. Drive south to Chora Skafion and take the ferry there.

I haven't been to Crete for a few years, but the Harms maps were the best (for us, at least) at that time.

Thank you for all your input. If you have any hotel recommendations, I'd love to hear them. I don't need anything upscale but don't want to stay in a dive either.

Can't help there, I'm afraid. We tend to do self catering

We were in Crete this April. We spent 4 nights at Vergis Epavlis in Agios Myronas just outside(14 km) of Heraklion. It is beautiful, quiet, the host is amazing, the food is great, and it is in a small village with a view all the way to the sea. We stayed in the Heraklion area as that is where the high speed ferries operates from. It is in the middle of the island and about a three plus hour drive to either end. The drivers on Crete are crazy so be prepared. They sometimes treat a two lane road like four lane highway. Agios Nicholas on the east side of the island is also a nice place to visit. Compared to the other Greek islands Crete is almost like another country.

Try contacting the Greek department of tourism for a map and other useful information.
I also will be in Crete in early September, splitting my time between Agios Nikolaus and Chania.
You might want to try the Ammos Hotel in Chania.

By the way, did anyone catch Anthony Bourdain last night? He was in eating his way through Crete - very interesting.

internetwitz.....After we spend a week in a time share near Hersonissos we'll be driving west and then doing about 3 or 4 nights in an old refurbished Turkish Villa near the little town of Kefalas, about a half hour east of Channia The nearby town of Vamos is worth seeing, as our the towns where they filmed Zorba the Greek, also nearby. The rooms run from 75 to 120 euros' a night. They've got a nice web site so check it out. I'll be there in mid October. Try... www.villafilitsa.com good luck

I have a place to stay in Chania, but am still trying to find a place to stay on the southern coast, somewhere between Agia Galini and Matala. Every place I've contacted is totally booked for September. If you know of any places, or can recommend any towns where I should concentrate my search, please let me know.

I'm still interested in recommendations of places or areas we should visit in eastern Crete, too. We ultimately fly out of Herkalion and have a place to stay in that area.

Thanks again.

internetwiz.... Here's a place that is on the south coast, but it's a bit to the west of Agia Galini. The rooms look very nice and the Sept rate is 80 euro's per night.

Try www.plakiashill.com

As part of my research on Crete, I read a great book by a Canadian guy, Byron Ayanoglu. He was a writer/ gourmet food editor for some magazines and being of Greek origin, he went back to find a sunny place to retire/start asecond career. He runs into an old friend who is a Zorba the Greek type of guy, who wants to open a gourmet restaurant using only the best of Cretean food products/vegatables/spices and he gets Byron to join him.

The author finds a place to live near the village of Mariou, which is a short drive from these Villas/rooms.

My guess is that you can visit many of the southern beaches from this location and be in the Agia Galini in about 35 or 40 minutes, as well as Chora Sfakia and Fragkokastelo which are also pretty close. Worth a try...

The book will crack you up, and it will give you an idea of what life is like on the south coast of Crete in and around the village of Plkias where these villas are located. Look him up and see if you can't find a copy of his book. It has two titles from separate editions. Try "A Taste of Honey" or "Crete on the Half Shell"

PS... During my week in Hersonissos we plan to rent a car and during the week visit Malia, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, Spinalonga Island, Gournia, Siteia, Vai and Kato Zakros as we drive along the northern shore towards the eastern end of the island. We will also plan a day to visit Knosos and the museums in Iraklion. It's ambitious, but you can lie around the swimming pool back home. However, Crete is for the food, the wine and meeting the people and also for hitting the secluded beaches with a snorkle and fins...Good luck and give us a trip report when you return. We arrive at the start of the 2nd week in October and hope to still have nice weather.

Thanks, Socal. Plakias Hill does look nice. I'll see what they say. I've contacted a bunch of places already and everything has been fully booked. I'll also check out that book. We're all about the local food, wine and people. I'll keep plugging away.

Internetwiz.... If you can't find a place, try this site, www.booking.com It had a few hotels available in Agia Galini in mid sept in the price ranges from $50 on up and you can see photo's and read reviews of other travelors. Use their map to find the city you are looking for. The map will show you other available hotels in nearby towns if you can't find the exact one you are looking for...Good luck.

socal,

bit late to the board but have booked myself and the OH to visit Crete next May - long way away but really looking forward to it. I am interested in that book you mentioned - Crete on the Half-Shell, but it seems to be completely out of print / superifically priced everywhere! Where did you get your copy and any chance you could post yours to me if I pay postage??

cheers!

jenn

These guy's'll find it for you if anyone can

http://www.hellenicbookservice.com/

Having said that I found it on line easily

http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/...37ROjgb7KNg%3d