Knossos:early morning or late afternoon?
May 12th, 2012, 08:22 AM
#1
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Knossos:early morning or late afternoon?
I know there are strong feelings for and against Knossos - but we plan to go anyway.
I have read many posts strongly encouraging early arrival, but in our case, that would mean getting up very early and driving 2.5 hours from Chiana to get to Knossos.
What about if we meandered towards it and got there in the later afternoon - like 4:00? I believe the site is open until 6:00.
How long do you need for a visit?
Any stops recommended near or on the way to? (from Chiana).
I have read many posts strongly encouraging early arrival, but in our case, that would mean getting up very early and driving 2.5 hours from Chiana to get to Knossos.
What about if we meandered towards it and got there in the later afternoon - like 4:00? I believe the site is open until 6:00.
How long do you need for a visit?
Any stops recommended near or on the way to? (from Chiana).
May 12th, 2012, 10:41 AM
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Since you will have already stayed in Rethymno, i presume that you will have covered all nearby attractions and nice places ( as per my previous posts).
On the way to Heraklion, you can stop at the Kournas Lake ( very near to Georgioupolis), the only natural lake of Crete.
Another stop could be Fodele, a small village where the famous painter Dominikos Theotokopoulos ( El Greco) is supposed to be born.
There isn't anything else on the way after rethymnon, that could be of interest.... perhaps a short break in Agia Pelagia for a coffee....
If you have enough time though, you could drive to Agios Nikolaos , which is only 60 km east of Heraklion. ( 1 hour driving time max.)
On the way to Heraklion, you can stop at the Kournas Lake ( very near to Georgioupolis), the only natural lake of Crete.
Another stop could be Fodele, a small village where the famous painter Dominikos Theotokopoulos ( El Greco) is supposed to be born.
There isn't anything else on the way after rethymnon, that could be of interest.... perhaps a short break in Agia Pelagia for a coffee....
If you have enough time though, you could drive to Agios Nikolaos , which is only 60 km east of Heraklion. ( 1 hour driving time max.)
May 13th, 2012, 04:42 AM
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Absa! I've done it- 7am from Chania and it's a far better time to be on the road too.
A lot of the site is unshaded. It can be blazingly hot.
I think you need to count at least 2 hours. Both times I've done it, I've twinned it with a visit to the National Museum but I think it's still closed for renovations, although there's a temporary exhibit. I've always found that to be a long enough day without other stops
A lot of the site is unshaded. It can be blazingly hot.
I think you need to count at least 2 hours. Both times I've done it, I've twinned it with a visit to the National Museum but I think it's still closed for renovations, although there's a temporary exhibit. I've always found that to be a long enough day without other stops
May 13th, 2012, 07:38 PM
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I, too, would do it in the morning. 4 pm is too late.
I saw the temporary exhibit this summer and, yes, it was very impressive. My impression is that they have selected the best items to display.
We took a guided tour once we got there. It was 20 euros per adult and free for children. I don't remember the name of the guide, a short woman in her 60s, but she was very very good. If there is a tour, I recommend to take it.
I saw the temporary exhibit this summer and, yes, it was very impressive. My impression is that they have selected the best items to display.
We took a guided tour once we got there. It was 20 euros per adult and free for children. I don't remember the name of the guide, a short woman in her 60s, but she was very very good. If there is a tour, I recommend to take it.
May 13th, 2012, 10:01 PM
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The museum, which is the most important of it's kind in the world regarding Minoan art, is closed since 2006 due to renovations, that seem to be endless....
Unfortunately from the 12.000 exhibits of the old museum, one can only see 500 now ( the highlights), and only 25 persons have access to the little room at the same time.
There has been a huge delay in the renovation of the museum but according to the newest schedule the museum is expected to open it's gates in September 2013, however it is possible that they will open hall A and B in the next two months, due to a huge pressure of the local society.
The museum is the most important local attraction of the ( not so beautiful) city of Heraklion, along with Knossos,
Unfortunately from the 12.000 exhibits of the old museum, one can only see 500 now ( the highlights), and only 25 persons have access to the little room at the same time.
There has been a huge delay in the renovation of the museum but according to the newest schedule the museum is expected to open it's gates in September 2013, however it is possible that they will open hall A and B in the next two months, due to a huge pressure of the local society.
The museum is the most important local attraction of the ( not so beautiful) city of Heraklion, along with Knossos,
May 23rd, 2012, 09:44 AM
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Knossos was closed at 3pm the day we were there. I believe it was May 5th. It could be because it was election weekend. I was disappointed needlesss to say.
Things in Greece change all the time, sometime to your benefit, other times not.
Things in Greece change all the time, sometime to your benefit, other times not.
May 23rd, 2012, 09:53 AM
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I agree with the heat issue. I took my mother there and the first thing she said when she got out of the car was "I'm not going to be able to stand this heat for long." (she's very fit and not too whiny)That was early May 2005. Morning for sure.
