Things worth seeing / doing in Crete

Without doubt, Knossos, the Palace of the Minoans, one of the great civilations of the world (Bronze Age), excavated by Sir Arthur Evans in the latter C19th. Has lots of recontructed bits too to aid the imagination (considered very bad archaeological practice these days, but it was the dawn of modern archaeology, so we forgive him).

The Samaria Canyon. I think one can do combined buss and boat tour. You don't want to go up again!

Some pics: Samaria

JohanR

The principal Allied War Cemetery of the island, designed by architect Louis de Soissons, is located a little east of Chania at Souda Bay. An evening stroll through the gardens will offer a relaxing end to a day and an insight into a slice of recent island history.

The main places are covered, re: Samaria gorge, good sturdy shoes are required and quite a bit of stamina, there is a smaller gorge tour but I can't remember the name.
There is also the German war cemetery at Maleme, stark and check out the ages of the dead.
Chania town is worth a visit, cross shaped market building(dead animals on show). There is a lake near Georgiopolis (sp) just of the main road.
Worth getting a car for 2/3 days and exploring the interior, some great little villages, some with resistance memorials and museums.
Check out if the Assumption of the Virgin Mary date is in your time frame , they celebrate in the little villages in the hills, worth seeing.

quote:

The principal Allied War Cemetery of the island

Completely agree with Roy T., visiting graves may not float your boat but give it a go. It must be the most relaxing place on the island.
Whilst at Chania don't forget to visit the most tasteless memorial in the world.
To remember the people drowned when a ferry sunk they have commisioned a fountain with a huge concrete hand reaching out of the water.
Its just plain wrong, you'll see what I mean

quote:

Worth getting a car for 2/3 days and exploring the interior, some great little villages, some with resistance memorials and museums.

I agree with Howard. And once the locals discover that you are British and not German you will get a very warm welcome. They have very long, and unforgiving, memories.

Samaria Gorge is great but avoid if you have any kind of tummy trouble - it's a very long way with your cheeks clenched, as I recall all too well!

quote:

Originally posted by BigH47:
...there is a smaller gorge tour but I can't remember the name.

Sfakia may be the name you seek as it was an evacuation route for thousands of Anzac and other Allied forces.

Second that Samaria Gorge walk suggestion. Did it in 1997. Nice little cafe stop at the end on the beach, followed by a boat trip along the south shore to pick up the coach. Mind you, after I got back I saw a holiday programme on the telly that recommended the gorge next door which was virtually people-free! You might want to research that one a bit although I can't remember what it's called... The Samaria tends to get a bit crowded.

Crete is nice - Greece, but yet "not Greece", if you know what I mean.

Try & get off the beaten track to the north-east corner - Sitia and Vai. Some lovely small harbour towns, not very touristy. One of them had a town pelican wandering around befriending the visitors.

Avoid Malia and Bristolian footballers dressed as nuns.

Hi David

Crete is a fabulous place, I hope you enjoy your stay. Chania is a lovely little coastal town, great for pottering around. I took a jolly boat trip from the harbour the last time I was there, courtesy of the dodgily named "Captain Nick".

I second the recommendation to visit one of the Minoan palaces - I think Phaestos is the finest, by virtue of it's dramatic location, high above the Messara Plane - hemmed in on both sides by mountain ranges.

The Lasithi Plateau has a great "Lost World" feel to it, and will give you an insight into the older traditional Cretan way of life.

Samaria Gorge is on my list - maybe the next time I visit!

Let us know how you get on.
Nigel

Thanks for all the suggestions. Hadn't planned on getting a car, but tempted now. Also, how much of a trudge is the Samaria Gorge? Bearing in mind that neither I nor the family are particularly active.

Thanks.

/david

quote:

Originally posted by David Legge:
Thanks for all the suggestions. Hadn't planned on getting a car, but tempted now. Also, how much of a trudge is the Samaria Gorge? Bearing in mind that neither I nor the family are particularly active.

Thanks.

/david

It's about 14k, but is all down hill until the last stretch on the flat. There's a sort of "picnic station" about halfway if you need a breather.

A pair of walking sticks might be an idea - it was very hot when I did it and my hands swelled up like sausages attached to balloons! I spent the last couple of kilometres holding my hands up to get the blood to flow back out...

Make sure you wear decent off-road hiking boots, it gets a bit rubbly after the halfway point.

Huge ice-creams available at the end.

We're going to Crete in a few weeks.

After seeing this thread I have been doing some more research - I hadn't realised just how big Crete actually is - we are more used to the smaller islands you can go from end to end in an hour.

We will be a few miles east of Heraklion, so Knossos may be on our (short) list of places to visit. Samaria Gorge may be too far to go for us though it does look worth a visit. I try not to drive when I am abroad on holiday, I spend enough time behind the wheel at home (10-15 hours per week at the moment ) and I don't like organised coach tours...

<rant>In Tunisia a few years ago we went on a trip to see the El Djem Roman amphitheatre, fascinating place. We were given 30 minutes then back to the coach for a journey back to a flea market where we were given nearly THREE HOURS to browse the various stalls and shops full of cheap tat and Reedok trainers.

We were staying in Monastir, so at least we could find some of the locations for Life of Brian on foot.</rant>

I expect we will spend most of this holiday relaxing by the pool or on the beach, miss seagull (9) is more interested in the kids club, dancing lessons and splashing about in the pool than learning about ancient civilisations.

quote:

Originally posted by David Legge:
Thanks for all the suggestions. Hadn't planned on getting a car, but tempted now. Also, how much of a trudge is the Samaria Gorge? Bearing in mind that neither I nor the family are particularly active.

Thanks.

/david

I'd look for the smaller gorge, I have admit I have not "done" the Samaria, I'm basically too lazy just to walk down a gorge. I prefer the ruins personally.
It's great island though , so enjoy.

as well as the suggestions above, it's definitely worth going eastwards from Heraklion on the north coast. The ex-leper colony island at Spinalonga is a very interesting trip, as well as small villages like Mochlos.
I've only been to Crete the once, but we only scratched the surface in a week - don't even think of not hiring a car.....
Have fun