welcom to the Greek forums of HT.. have you read the members resort reports yet??

wizard

Hi Jaffa,Agios nikoloas,or Ag.Nik as everyone knows it,should be ideal for you.Its very cosmopolitan,not to big,but always interesting.
Most of the accomodations are on the road towards Elounda,which is only 7 kilometers away,with good cheap bus service,so in effect,you get 2 resorts for the price of one!There are lots of bars and tavernas to choose from,2 of the best are "La Strada"(ring them and they will send a free taxi to your hotel)and Taverna Avra.If you want to party,there is the Sorrento Bar,favoured by the Brits,or seek out Yannis rock and blues bar,by the Harbour,or Bar TU-TU,both favoured by the locals.
There is a market on Wednesdays,boat trips to Spinalonga island(be sure to read "The Island" by Virginia Hislop before going there)and frequently free live entertainment by the lake in the center of town.
Whilst beaches are only average near town,if you hire a car,take the road towrds Sitia for a few miles,there are excellent beaches around Ammoudara and Istron,about 10 or 15 minutes drive away.
On that subject,I seriously recomend car hire and go explore,Crete is so much more than just the resorts!
I have been a regular visitor for many years,and am now often treated as a local.We have travelled the whole island,and whilst the west is maybe more dramatic,the east holds a special charm for us,a little more subtle.If you want full on 18-30 land,go to Malia or Hersonisos,but for something more refined Agios or Elounda wont dissapoint.If you want any more info,please feel free to PM or e-mail me.Yassou,Stevekriti

Hi Steve
You seem to know Crete very well so I'm hoping you may be able to tell me a little about 2 places we are staying at in September. The 1st week we are staying in Daratsos near Chania and then moving to Panormos which I believe is a small, quiet village but hopefully very nice. There's not much to be found about Panormos so I'm hoping yourself or someone else on the forum may know something about it. We are hiring a car and hope to visit many places on the island but especially Spinalonga after reading 'The Island' last year.
Thank you for any information

hi Oklahoma,Whilst in Chania(buy the way,its pronounced Han-Yia,with the emphesis on the "HA" and the "YA")if you hire a car,make sure to drive down to Elaphonisi,for probably the best beach in Crete.Another good tip,is if you go for a long drive,its often easy to find a room for a night at the other end,quite cheaply.For Elaphonisi,try the village of Kefali a few miles from the beach,there is a lovely place in the village covered in flowers owned by Georgo Pelakas,who seems to have everything the village could need!
As for Panormos,quite place,not far from Bali.If you go there,check out "Posto" bar on the beach,run by a lovable loon Vasilis,but get him talking on ancient history and he is a real goldmine!(mention Steve Baker from UK,he will know me,but if he likes you,you may have trouble leaving!)
Panormos is about one and a half hours drive from Ag.Nik and also Elounda.Boats go from both to Spinalonga,but its a longer,nicer trip from Agios.
If your wanderings take you inland at that end,if you come across the villiage of Exo Laconia,you will see a taverna with the biggest bouganvilia youv ever seen!This is Taverna Stavrokakis,the place where the locals go when they want something special.Far cheaper than the tavernas in town,and food that is out of this world!Often,we have eaten there not even knowing what we were eating,but every mouthful made you say WOW!The waiter there calls the place"Big-bugger flower bush taverna!"
Hope this is of help,but be warned,if this is your first visit,if you explore and get the escence of Crete,you WILL return!
Crete has a way of touching your heart! Stevekriti

Many thanks Steve, we're really looking forward to visiting Crete and shall look out for the places you mentioned. Is it better to get the boat from Ag Nik rather than drive all the way to Plaka?

Hi Okla,depends what you want reallly.Agios is 7 kilometer from Elounda,then Plaka about another 2 Kilo.
From Plaka,there is a small boat service,but most go from Ag.Nik or Elounda.
Obviously its a longer trip from Agios,but that means you see more and have a more liesurly trip
And after all,remember you will be on Greek time,--"siga-siga" as they say,(slowly,slowly)things move more slowly in Greece,so relax and enjoy

Stevekriti wrote:

Hi Okla,depends what you want reallly.Agios is 7 kilometer from Elounda,then Plaka about another 2 Kilo.
From Plaka,there is a small boat service,but most go from Ag.Nik or Elounda.
Obviously its a longer trip from Agios,but that means you see more and have a more liesurly trip
And after all,remember you will be on Greek time,--"siga-siga" as they say,(slowly,slowly)things move more slowly in Greece,so relax and enjoy

Sounds great, relaxation just what we're looking for Thanks again

Jaffa101,

Spent an enjoyable day in Ag Nik last year. Its a busy town with plenty of shops, a couple of small beaches and numerous restaurants, mainly based around the lake. We liked the town but wouldn't have wanted to have been based there. Incidentally, have you considered Lindos on Rhodes? May be worth a look based on what you're after.

Steve

Steve,

Excellent info and much appreciated as you can never fully trust what the holiday brochures say about resorts. The only other time I was in Crete was 10 years ago in Malia and would like a different sort of holiday this time. Searching for accommodation I did notice that a lot of them were outside the town but that will be perfect if as you say Elounda is close by also. Will be booking up this week so once again many thanks for the advice. Will get hold of the book too. Cheers. Jaffa.

Steve Mcr,

Thanks also for info. I was in Rhodes last year so would prefer a change although it was really nice.

Many thanks

Jaffa