I have done quite a bit of research on a trip I'm taking to Greece at the end of July and into August of 2011. However, I know that planning and actually doing are two separate things. That's why I'm creating this new topic.
I'll be in Athens for two days, taking a ferry to Crete, and staying in Heraklion for ten days. Plus, I've rented a vehicle.
Two days in Athens is not enough. You will want to go back.
Crete is an amazing island. The birthplace of Zeus. Having a car will be beneficial. You will want to drive the hills and visit the small towns and villages. It is an easy island to drive around on. The beaches are amazing. Museums, Monasteries and Palaces to explore. I would not plan in advance. I would let it unfold. I'm glad you have ten days there. You will need it.
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In response to: Msg #136190
Hi Shane, welcome to Crete. Remember that July-August is hot, can be very hot. So don't plan for too much strenuous activities. Maybe 2 days in Athens will be enough, given the time of year, though it does have a lot to offer. Heraklion is a good base to start exploring this wonderful island. There is quite a good road network, but driving does take longer than you expect because of the mountains. The east part is drier and "wilder" than the west. Both are great though. Places to visit - the towns of Chania and Rethymnon are the most beautiful, but Heraklion has picked up with a very nice beach front, it is a very dynamic city with great night life. Next to Heraklion, is the archaelogical site of Knossos, which is the most famous Minoan site. However, I recommend visiting the Mallia site instead. It is smaller, not crowded (no tour groups go there), better preserved. Next to it is a nice beach with a great little taverna. Highly recommended, though Mallia village is a charter destination the old village (above the road) can be worth a short stroll. The Lassithi plateau (in the same are) is just amazing, and the Pyschro cave impressive. If you like trekking the Samaria gorge is a given thing to do, you can't do it on your own, because you drive up to the Omalos plateau, walk for 18 km, then take a boat to get back to a place with a road. Most people start from Chania, take the bus up in the early morning (use the KTEL local bus system, you don't need a guide for the trek it is not possible to get lost, don't forget to bring the swimsuit for the beach at the end), trek the gorge and then take the boat. Nice places to stay over night is Sougia or Paleochora to the west or Loutro to the east. then go back to Chania by KTEL. You can also do it the other way around, starting at the end of the gorge, but you will only walk the lower part that way (the beginning from the plateau is steep down hill for km's), and then turn back, still nice. There are lots of nice places all around the island, the south coast is less exploited with many small beaches, as said above you can just drive around and stay where you please. Enjoy your trip
Reply to this Greece is hot in July and August as pointed out. Remember that many accommodations will not have air conditioning.
Reply to this The advertisement for the hotel that I will be staying at, which was listed on the Hostelworld website, claimed to have air conditioning. If it doesn't, then I'm sure that I'll be capable of "toughing it out."
I really appreciate your posts. Consideration is being given.
Reply to this Crete island is a beautiful island with long coastline and particularly famous for its flora and fauna. For architecture towns of Chania and Rethymnon and Heraklion are good places to go. This island is mountainous and offers lot of adventure for adventure lovers. The bus service is fine in Crete, but as suggested by D MJ Binkley car gives you more freedom to explore the various regions. Car hire is easily available there from the companies like Greececarrentals.net at good rates and wide choice of models.
Reply to this Hi, Crete is absolutely beautiful. I visited about 3 years ago and did a week in Crete, followed by a week in Zante (Zakynthos). I really wished I'd spent the entire two weeks of my holiday in Crete as it was by far the most beautiful and cultural of the two!
I stayed near to Rethymnon and hired a car as you said you have done. I'd read a great holiday book called The Island by Victoria Hislop (great read) which was a partly true story about the lepers on Spinalonga Island which is off to the far east of the island. I drove there and wasn't disappointed - it's a ruined old island now, but reading about the history through a story in a book brought the whole experience to life.
Oh and driving in Crete was FUN! Crazy, crazy fun!
As others have said Chania is beautiful too - make sure you spend a day or two there. I took a bus down there - very easy to work out which ones to get once you're there, but if you have a car that might be even easier.
Also, there's meant to be a beautiful nature reserve to the south of the island where it is very hilly. I didn't get a chance to go - it sounds very rural and remote so you might need to plan carefully if you visit, but it's said to be beautiful.
As others have said above, Greece is very hot mid-summer (
climate of Athens ) - so definitely makes sure your car has air conditioning and so does your accommodation. But you'll be able to enjoy Greece regardless I'm sure 😊 Have fun!
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