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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Anyone been to CRETE?

27 replies

LyraSilvertongue · 05/01/2008 12:26

We're thinking of going in the summer but I haven't got a clue what it's like.
Would the weather be too hot for young children? What is there to do? We're looking at villas with private pools in the west of the island.
TIA.

OP posts:
Original poster
LyraSilvertongue · 05/01/2008 13:11

bump

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paulaplumpbottom · 05/01/2008 13:13

We went to Elounda Beach when dd was 1. It was amazing and I can't recommend it enough. They had private villas with pools. Amazing restraunts and the staff couldn't have been better. We were there in August and it was warm but not intolerable

Original poster
LyraSilvertongue · 05/01/2008 13:14

Thanks Paula, sounds like it is the right place for us then.

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NineUnlikelyTales · 05/01/2008 13:14

It can be VERY hot. It was over 40 every day when I went for a month. I loved it.

Original poster
LyraSilvertongue · 05/01/2008 13:15

Can I ask what you did in the area? Is it just beaches and restaurants or are there other activities/towns/sights?

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Original poster
LyraSilvertongue · 05/01/2008 13:15

Over 40

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paulaplumpbottom · 05/01/2008 13:17

To be honest we were lazy and hardly left the pool

paulaplumpbottom · 05/01/2008 13:18

But they have a Sailboat you can rent for the day and that was fab

mysonsmummy · 05/01/2008 13:28

i am sure it was elounda i went to see a freind a couple of years ago. you shoud ocheck the waeather becasue it is VERY VERY hot july.august. very family friendly place. it was however well over an hour in the car fron the airport which really put me off.

paulaplumpbottom · 05/01/2008 13:31

It was 45 minutes from the airport. That was definatly a downside

Original poster
LyraSilvertongue · 05/01/2008 14:32

Thanks ladies.
Any more tips?

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PestoMonster · 05/01/2008 14:45

We went twice one year. First time was via Heraklion airport which was great. But the second time we used Chania airport and it was ABOMINABLE! We would never never never use that airport again. Their queueing system was incomprehensible and we nearly missed the flight. I would take this into consideration when booking and try to make sure you use Heraklion.

paulaplumpbottom · 05/01/2008 14:47

There is an airport worse than Heraklion?????

PestoMonster · 05/01/2008 14:48

God, Heraklion was a dream in comparison to Chania. I have travelled a fair bit over the years and never had such a bad experience ever.

Original poster
LyraSilvertongue · 05/01/2008 14:52

Forewarned is forearmed pestomonster. if we fly to Chania (which we probably will) I'll allow plenty of time to find our way about.

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Original poster
LyraSilvertongue · 07/01/2008 08:59

Any other tips/best places to stay? We've booked our flights for mid August but no accommodation yet...

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Original poster
LyraSilvertongue · 07/01/2008 12:00

.

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FluffyMummy123 · 07/01/2008 12:02

Message withdrawn

WendyWeber · 07/01/2008 12:02

I went once but it was over 30 years ago - Chania was empty and Malia was a little seaside village with one hotel.

WendyWeber · 07/01/2008 12:04

(We drove there But did meet some friends at Heraklion airport and that was empty too.)

(Blimey, I am old)

Original poster
LyraSilvertongue · 07/01/2008 12:11

I suspect it's changed a little since then

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Cam · 07/01/2008 16:50

Wendyweber last time I went to Crete was about 25 years ago

I stayed on the south side of the island in a tiny fishing village which I know will no longer be that

Am thinking of going to Greece with dd

Bink · 05/03/2008 12:05

Lyra - we've just arranged to do a week in April with Pure Crete - they have a range of self-catering villas, some with pools, all in western bit you mention. If you've got flights already, they do accomm-only (that's what we're doing) but will also arrange car hire etc. if you want.

I have heard good things of them - quite unflash outfit (do walking holidays, & wild-flower breaks, & responsible tourism etc. etc.) & dh says booking lady on phone is v nice & helpful.

squilly · 05/03/2008 14:30

We went when daughter was 15 months old. Wwe went in the May, first couple of weeks. It was lovely. The people there loved the girl and fussed over her so much. It was laid back, the weather was warm, but not hot, and the resort (I can't remember the name of it off the top of my head, but it was near the top of the island) was lovely and relaxed.

I loved Crete.

Hope you have a ball....

orangina · 05/03/2008 14:42

Last went to Crete in a September, stayed in small place in hills above rethymnos (flew to Chania, didn't find it awful...), and then spoilt ourselves in Elounda, which was LOVELY. But, I found the area around Elounda not great, didn't like eating at Elounda every evening, the little town of Elounda wasn't really fab, definitely preferred the area around Rethymnos.
South coast area supposed to be lovely, but have never been there myself. Crete gorgeous. It was very hot though (even in September).... 35? 36?