Crete

[LittleEsme]

Looking at Chania and Rethymno hotels at the moment - booking independently and not with an agent. Has anyone been?

Yes. Many years ago. I walked the Samaria Gorge! I can't remember where I stayed though. Beautiful country. I definitely recommend booking the Samaria Gorge if you're fit and healthy (I was then).

Yes. Stayed in Chania and visited Rethymno. I first went as a child 20 years ago and then again 2 years ago. Loved it both times. I would also recommend Samaria Gorge if you like active holidays. We did a bike tour with Hellas Bike that was a real highlight as well.

Stayed in Rethymon a few years ago. Easy to walk around the town, lovely little marina area, castle/fort, plenty of restaurants and also walked along a board walk to the next village for another lovely lunch. We caught a bus to Heraklion to go to the amazing museum and to see knossos. There was a small market in Rethymon on one of the days where we bought cheese, honey and the most amazing olive oil. I have no idea what the duty free rules are now though on those items.

We stayed in this hotel. It has a roof top pool, short walk to beach and shops. Each morning they had a hot/cold buffet and a relaxing garden area you could sit in. There was a small bar downstairs too. It was cheap and cheerful rather than 5 star luxury. www.achillionpalace.gr/en/home/

You can also get ferries to santorini for the day. We went in I think Oct and faster, day ferries had stopped a week earlier. Only after we'd returned, did I read good things about Chania, but we didn't go there so I can't compare.

Posted above but reply hidden presumably because I linked both hotels? Anyway, a couple of hotels we stayed in - one right in Chania and one about 1km nice walk in to the harbour area. Quite boutique-y, would recommend both! Hopefully the reply will be released soon…

The Kalliston is wonderful. Not cheap, but amazing.

Anyone been to Symi?

100%. Do the gorge its amazing! Love Chania - we did a villa near Almyria, easy drive from Chania.

I've been to Crete a number of times, I love it, my favourite place in Europe. Personally I prefer the other side of the island but that's because I really enjoy the history and mythology and there's more to see and do in that category if you fly in to heraklion. It's much bigger than other greek islands so it's not a quick drive east to west. The snorkeling off of crissi is amazing in the south east, I've also enjoyed the lasithi plateau, spinalonga, Knossos, Phaistos which are all on the Eastern side, but you do have Aktari near Rethymno and Aptera on the western side. Arguably the western side also has better beaches

@TheCurious0range I’d like to fly into Heraklion next visit and see that side. It’s such a fantastic island - and I’ve only done a small bit! Defo in my top 3 list of holiday places!

I've been 4 times before as a proper adult (also did Malia at 18 which was very much not a cultural experience!) and we're going again in the summer with ds. We're lucky that we tend to get more than one holiday a year these days so I don't mind revisiting places occasionally

@TheCurious0range I’m usually averse to revisiting but Crete I would make an exception for!
Obvs read The Island on my return so Spinalonga a must next time! But the southern coast is also calling….