Crete

Christina1982

Hi

I heard to crete for a week in a few weeks

Looking for suggestions of things to do/see etc also if anyone can recommend a good 'guide book' that'd be great!!

Staying at all inclusive hotel but want to explore, hotel is near Hersonissos

Thanks in advance

maman

Christina1982 wrote: »

Hi

I heard to crete for a week in a few weeks

Looking for suggestions of things to do/see etc also if anyone can recommend a good 'guide book' that'd be great!!

Staying at all inclusive hotel but want to explore, hotel is near Hersonissos

Thanks in advance

Depending where you are on the island then visit the former leper colony on Spinalonga. If you haven't got any holiday reading then get Victoria Hislop's The Island and read it first.

Knossos is worth a visit too and I particularly like Chania.

Pollycat

Chania might be a bit far from Hersonissos but it really is the most beautiful main town we've ever been to, a lovely Venetian harbour and lots of little cobbled alleyways.

Heraklion (where you'll fly into if staying in Hersonissos) doesn't have the same charm.

I second Spinalonga.
We got a bus from Malia to Ag Nik, then another bus to Elounda and the ferry over to Spinalonga (cost 10 euro, 20 minute trip, every 30 minutes).
Or you can get boat trips to Spinalonga from Ag Nik, these are more expensive and usually include a sail round some islands and a stop for swimming and maybe a BBQ.

Buses were very frequent and reliable, not sure what they'll be like towards the end of October.

We were quite disappointed with Knossos.
TBH, we thought it was a Minoan palace as Sir Arthur Evans visualised it.
I would have rather seen it in its original ruined state than 'reconstructed' but we are fans of 'piles of stones' and most people we spoke to were impressed.
But I'm glad we went.
I'd recommend you go to the Archeological Museum in Heraklion first.

Check out the Crete board on Tripadvisor, very helpful people on there.

Christina1982

Thanks I've heard Spinalonga is worth going to.
Now have a book so time to research - agree tripadvisor is great!

One other questions currency should I take cash or card or both and are things expensive

aaroncaz

Head to the little villages behind Hersonissos,

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowForum-g678908-i16540-Koutouloufari_Crete.html

3 little villages that run into each other, Piskopiano, Koutaulafari and Old Heronissos. Lots of places to eat, average price for a meal was 8.50, really nice there they are behind the Royal Imperial Hotel so you might need a taxi to get there.

Dizzy_Ditzy

If your budget allows, book a jeep safari

We paid €60 but had a full day of being driven around, right up to the mountains, lunch was included, it went up to Lassithi plateau, you could visit Zeus' cave if you wanted too.

A fab day with some gorgeous views

We booked it in a little travel shop. They pick you up from an agreed point near your hotel and drop you off too

Take a hat and plenty of water

Have a fab week

Pollycat

We always take cash and change it as required.

You asked if things were expensive.
What things are you thinking about, I notice you are AI so maybe not food/drink?

Christina1982

Yeah all inclusive but not going to only eat/drink there all the time - I'd feel like a prisoner, but was cheaper to book all inclusive
So really just things to do, lunch, drinks etc
Thanks all

Pollycat

I've given the price of the ferry from Elounda to Spinalonga in my earlier post.

Buses are pretty cheap, we paid 3.70 euro for a single from Malia to Heraklion.

You'll pay anything from 6 euro to 11 euro for dishes like stifado, moussaka, pork chops, plate of gyros etc.
Greek salads will be around 5 euro.

Half litre carafe of local wine 3.5 to 4 euros.
Large Mythos 3 euro.

Christina1982

Thanks so much

Pollycat

Also there's a Happy Train that runs (I think) between Hersonissos & Malia if you wanted a leisurely trip between resorts. Don't know the price though.