Yes Chania = Hania or or even Xania. If you are hiring a car and stay in Chania town itself, you will will have to negotiate the one way system and town traffic each time you head off and Heraklion itself isn't a place I'd stay in myself but the idea a a week east and west is fine in principle.

Be aware that driving in Crete can be slow and map distances don't always prepare you for the actual time it can take to drive. I have spent 4 holidays (a total of 7 weeks) in Crete and haven't seen it all.

Hi Progol,
It all depends on how you plan and break the days. In a bit of rush you could do all, but than you should choose one destination in Crete.

I had to drive very long to go far end and to see Olympia. My idea was to fly there and get back driving but could not match.

If it makes you happy, 4 Days mainland, 2 in Santorini and 2 in Crete doable. If you have the 9th day thats even better. Using domestic flights would help.

I have the same feeling of difficulty of choosing which is better.......Good luck
Happy travelling,

Murat

Which would you recommend: Peloponnese or Crete, if you were interested in nature and national parks and beautiful scenery?

Crete-gorgeous scenery with lots of interesting little towns,mountains,fabulous cities,food and wine. I loved Naplion and the peninsula but Crete took her family's heart!

Zx, it's a win-win situation ... PLEASE do not ask us to choose ... I have been to both the Peloponnese (6 times) AND to Western Crete (5 times) and lovwe them both.

The only answer is -- One destination this time, the other, NExt time!

Funny seeing this posted -- it's from 2008! We ended up taking our trip in September/October 2011 and spent 6 lovely days on Crete (as well as Santorini, Naxos and ending in Athens):

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...tober-2011.cfm

We have yet to make it back to Greece, but plan on visiting the Peloponnese the next time we go.

Hi xxcvbnm,

Yes, I noticed this was an 8 year old thread, and normally wouldn't bother to reply. It would have been better to start your own thread.

Your question is so general I can only provide a general answer: go to Crete if you plan to combine it with a visit to other islands in the Aegean, e.g. Santorini; go to the Peloponnese if you plan to combine it with a visit to other parts of the mainland, e.g. Delphi.

You need to provide additional information in order to get a useful answer. What time of the year will you travel? Where will you enter Greece? There are direct flights to Crete from other European countries, while Athens is the main entry point for flights from other continents.

Eight years later...and now we've finally been to both. I'd say the biggest determining factor is time of year, and not necessarily destination. Springtime is a riot of wild flowers all over the Peloponnese, just gorgeous. But later on in the year, I'd say Crete is your best bet... especially the Samaria Gorge which is one of the most dramatic hikes we've taken. Gorgeous beaches, too.

As TJ says, it's a win-win situation

Hi there!

I vote for Crete and Santorini!

During early summer both islands are amazing!

going at the end of april.
mr go, how far is samaria gorge from crete?
do we need to rent a car to see all the scenic places or are there tour buses that go?

The Samaria Gorge doesn't open until May: http://www.samaria.gr/useful-information-for-visitors/

I vote for Crete and the Peloponnese and forget about Santorini. Its a place that gets far too many followers here and is vastly overrated ....... in my opinion.

zyc -- you still don't supply more than minimal information. It makes a big difference how much time you have. What is Total # of days in Greece (NOT counting arrival or departure days).. how many days r u allotting for Crete (or Pelops or both). Would you fly/ferry in or out of Crete, and to which airport or port? Or would you fly IN to one and out of other (usually a good plan, avoids backtracking).

As to car rental -- depends on how many days you have. You can see a lot on public transit, but takes much more time. You need to tell us or we cannot advise you. People I say hold off until zy gives key facts.

YES, there are tour busses to many places. For example, from the 3 north coast cities (Heraklion-Rethymnon-Chania) there are day trip to S. Coast, & beaches lke Matala (but too early to swim in April). Chania has bus trips for people who want to walk Samaria gorge, but as Heimdall says, too early. You may be able to walk Imbros Gorge, IMHO is JUST as enjoyable far easier, only 3-4 hrs vs. 7-8, but need a car. From REth & Chania, day excursions to 2 gorgeous beach areas - Balos/Gramvousa but again, prob too early.

In Pelops, can see most "sights" in area surrounding Nafplio by public transit or day tours, IF you have enough time. If time limited (3-4 days) must prune yr list. Would you be interested in public transit (easy/fast) from Ath area to Nafplio, then car rental 1-2 days from there (good level roads, low traffic). Again, cannot advise without key details. We have the experience to help your itinerary, but not the magical power to read your mind, LOL.

we have 10-11 days not including travel time. would fly in to crete, for peloponnese, looks like no airlines fly from athens to araxos at the end of april on the day we need, so would probably need transportation like bus, cab ( I know its a 4 hour drive.)