Holiday abroad OS?

Chipps

Hi. I am really interested in this thread, as we are going to Crete in September & it will be our first time there. We will be SC, but as we have only been able to afford camping holidays or staying with friends (eg in Germany) in the past, the whole experience will be new to us.
Would it be too cheeky to ask if anyone has any tips for us as well?

fairylights_2

Where in Crete are you going? My parents are there at the moment and I spent what seems like a past life studying in Greece, so might have some ideas for you too ...

Badgergal

If you have never been to Greece, may I warn you that nowhere in Greece can you put paper down the loo! The pipes cannot deal with it and you will end up with blocked pipes and maybe a bill for sorting your loo!

Perhaps everyone knows this, but I did not until I set foot on Greek soil and there were little covered bins in all the loo, and my bf hated it cos he has a thing about toilet things and blocked the toilet regardless! I was really surprised when I found out you couldn't put anything down a greek loo that you had not digested first. You get used to it though.

Have a fab time!

Chipps

fairylights wrote:

Where in Crete are you going?

Errr.... typical moneysavers - we have booked one of those holidays where they tell you which resort it will be when you get there
Well, (a) it was quite cheap
and (b) we wouldn't have known which resort to choose anyway, as we don't know Crete at all.
Like I said, this whole "real" holiday business is rather new to us!
If nothing else, it will be a learning experience!

fairylights_2

Well, at a guess (knowing where the biggest resorts are) you'll be somewhere on the north coast. I'd take a stab in the dark at Malia, as that's where the vast majority of the touristy bits are. Buses in Crete are much better and more frequent than in Santorini. If you're nice, the driver will stop and let you off pretty much wherever you need to go (if you're paying attention they'll shout when you get there, but I wouldn't be sure you'll hear - or understand, for that matter!). Heraklion - the main town - is massive, and will easily occupy you for ages. The ruins at Knossos are interesting but vastly overrated, and will be teeming with people from first thing in the morning, so don't think getting in early will help. In all honesty, a visit late in the afternoon would be much better if you feel like wondering around a rambled old palace. no maze either, before you think there's something very exciting there.

Agios Nikolaos is also very pretty, but very expensive. Take a packed lunch, and plan to be home for tea!

I have to say that most modern facilities in Greece can now cope with toilet roll, but I generally work on the assumption that if there's loo roll in the bin, then follow suit :eek: - you don't want a plumber telling everyone about those daft english people blocking the loos with loo roll :rotfl:

I'd assume that you'll have lots of tours offered as part of your package trip. Generally I'd say don't do them as they overcharge you and you can source the same trips yourself for much cheaper. I have to admit the last time I was there I hired a really cheap little fiat panda and it was fab. No air conditioning (roll down the windows - there's OS!) and I don't think there were even seatbelts in the back, but with my cheap Greek army map and my dinky little car I saw everything I needed to. Also gives you a boot to keep your packup in.

So jealous, you guys. I'm not on holiday until October

BWZN93

If you are flying, then try and blag a seat upgrade!! Pretend you just got married even with broken ankle, and see if you get better seats!

I would!!

Jo xx

scheming_gypsy

Chipps wrote:

Hi. I am really interested in this thread, as we are going to Crete in September & it will be our first time there. We will be SC, but as we have only been able to afford camping holidays or staying with friends (eg in Germany) in the past, the whole experience will be new to us.
Would it be too cheeky to ask if anyone has any tips for us as well?

i'll give you a tip.. ignore this thread. your holiday is what you look forward to all year. Have a ball, push the boat out, spend a bit too much money. drink way too much, be sick, get sunburnt and eat out every night and eat well. BUT the most important thing is to ENJOY YOURSELF


edit : in 11 hours i'm driving down to Reading (from Preston) to meet 2 mates then flying from Gatwick to Kavos. Spent about £500 on clothes, £340 for the holiday and will probably blow £400 while i'm over there, not to mention petrol on getting down there and bits at the airport. I can't really afford it but i don't care, i'm not going on holiday again this year so i'm going to make sure i enjoy myself and have some stories to tell when i get back.

Oh yeah, i agree with whoever said Malia, you'll love it there though, i went 2 years back and had a ball. If you want it quieter you've got the old town instead of the 'in your face' nightlife.