Anyone been to Crete?

Anyone been to Crete?
SIL has booked her annual pilgrimage to us for November. For some reason, Dh always seems to think she will get bored coming to Cyprus so uses her coming as an excuse for a little trip within her holiday. Last year we had 4 days in Jordan which was fab. We don't want to go too far for just a few days and it's difficult to get flights in the off season so I wondered about Crete. Obviously the weather won't be great so we're looking for a part of the island to stay in that has some places to go and see, nice villages, old ruins, stuff like that. We will probably hire a car to tootle around in so just wondered if anyone had been and where you stayed/what was there.

I went about 5 years ago, stayed in Iraklion which is not the largest town on the island but the week we had in season was reasonably lively. Our 2 nd week there was "off season" and dead, most things had closed. Can't remember exactly when we went sorry. If you're into ruins you have to go to Knossis. Can't remember much more about the holiday, it was our last non pregnant/being a parent holiday and spent most of it drunk on the very fine cocktails

Yes, went about ten years ago - went 4/5 star with my mum though (El Greco Hotel - v. nice!) in my own defence it was a replacement honeymoon as my oh-so-lovely fiance had dumped me ten weeks before our wedding day... so our originally planned 2 weeks in the Maldives turned into the weekend of my wedding day spent in Jersey with my best friend followed by a week in Crete with my mum... but I digress! Rethymnon area is v. nice. Spinalonga (island, former leper colony - bear with me!) is worth a day trip on a boat, we didn't go to Knossos but there are lots of other ruins around. Crete is lovely - I'd go back in a flash! April

I went on a girls holiday to Malia when I was 18.....not the sort of thing you had in mind me thinks. We didn't do any sight seeing (only the local totty :wink: ). Enjoy, wherever you decide to go x

Went in July 11 years ago and it was lovely. Knossos is a must BUT it will be very very quiet in November...... I remember one of the locals telling us that everything is shut up and packed up by the end of Oct and the only thing they worry about are the olive groves as heavy rain and high winds start to set in. Sorry but hope to help xxxxxx

Went to Malia in 2002 BUT went for my honeymoon in 2005 - BUT we can't remember where (long story) IT was in the middle of no where HOWEVER bias aside I think Crete is a beautiful island and like most has it's good and bad points! We drove around a lot and found some beautfiul little places within the windy roads etc that would be ideal for scenery etc even in rubbish weather!

I went 20 years ago! The hotel we stayed in was in hotels from hell about 2 years after, and I found a blanket covered in sick in the wardrobe and the owner tried to blame it on me and my cousin! However, Knossos was good and I recall hiring a car and going to some windmills and a place called Lasithi (but not sure on the spelling, I was only 11!) We also went to see where 'baby Zeus' was born, which involved a big hike up a mountain. Mum declared she was dying so was taken back down on a donkey (like the nativity) with an old man, we found her at the bottom chatting away to him smoking minging fags!!!! As I recall it was a good holiday, if slightly bizzare and I'm sure it would be great for a few days away Rxx

Crete was the first overseas holiday that DH and I went on together. I think we went in about May / June and had a great time. We had an allocated on arrival hotel which was right in the middle of Rethymnon and a tad on the noisy side but good otherwise. Knossos also gets my vote and we had a lovely Greek evening in the hills with all you can drink local wine (I know that will appeal !! LOL) and a gorgeous filo, spinach and feta pie as well as lots of other Greek food, Greek dancing, plate smashing etc. We were lucky enough to have a food, wine and craft festival on at the same time we were there too. We also did the vineyard / winery visit and I seem to remember walking to a local fort as well which was well preserved. I can't remember off the top of my head exactly what else we did but I'll dig out he photos later and see if there was anything else of note :0)

Oh, and isn't there a gorge you can walk along too that's supposed to be absolutely gorgeous and filled with butterflies? can't remember what it's called - also possibly not filled with butterflies in November lol!

I stayed in Elounda in 2006. It is by the island of Spinalonga (featured in the book "The Island") and was well worth a visit. Elounda was lovely, plenty of restuarants and bars, but not roundy. We didn't hire a car, but a few people from our hotel did and went off on trips etc...

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