Tootsie, we've booked a family hol in Hersonissos for August at the Royal Belvedere. We're using Hellenic Voyages -again-, and don't think you will beat their prices.

Parky

Thanks for that Parky, I will just check if they go from Belfast, but if not Ill see if I can get them from another company!

I can speak with any experience of only 3 resorts really, Georgioupolis, Gouves and Hersonnisos.

Hersonnisos is a lovely place but I have a preference for the smaller Georgioupolis, so much so we are going back in September, Gouves on the other hand was a dissapointment, but hey, its horses for courses.

If you dont want "mad nightlife" but Bistros, quiet bars, a beach and you are accompained by 2 young boys you could do a lot worse than Georgioupolis in Western Crete. Try the MANOS and KOSMAR brochures.

The beach is good, has enough space for the boys to kick a football and do generally what boys do such as fishing (bread and line only required) where the 2 rivers meet the sea, snorkeling, hitting each other on the head with bats when they have lost the ball, fresh water turtle watching/feeding etc, plenty of Tavernas, a freshwater lake close by and a great village square with numerous quiet bars that have those cushy seats.

Georgioupolis has one Night Club which only becomes a Night Club after midnight, the rest of the time its a cafe/bar and it is so discreet I cannot recollect hearing any noise at all!

I am sure that both KOSMAR and MANOS fly from Belfast International (Aldergrove).

Try logging onto the Georgiopoulis Experience, more detailed questions answered by Kat and M who live and work there.

You will enjoy Hersonnisos, apart from the Belvedere complex there is also Starbeach which has its own hotel, this has only been built in last 18 months. Your two boys will enjoy the Starbeach entertainment.

To the east there is Meltimi beach, which is sandy and you can hire sunbeds for the day. They have their own taverna too which I can recommend.

There is a local bus stop with services west into Heraklion and east to Stalis, Malia and Ag Nik etc. Make sure you go to Ag Nik.

Hersonnisos is not as noisey as Malia so please enjoy !!

Downside is if you have to travel in August it can be very hot

p.s.
some pictures for you taken in the last few days

http://www.west-crete.com/dailypics/html_pages/2-28-06.htm

Thanks, Ive just noticed your two posts today, what great information as always on this site!!!!!

We are having a confab about this over the weekend, so Ill let you know where we finally end up!

Many thanks again, the photos are lovely!

tootsie, I'm afraid they only fly from Gat & Man. You can still save a few hundred quid for the family even after flights from Ireland.

Really stunning photies Locker

I think excel are planning to operate from Belfast to Heraklion, check their website to contact them with regards to tour operators.

We have been to Crete a number of times and love it!! We went to Elounda one year which we liked but might be a bit quiet for children although we did see some places that had pool tables etc and kids were in there. Most places have their own pools which kids love anyway and may have games and things like that.

We go to the other end of the island now - Chania, Agia Marina mostly. Platanais is great for families that want a bit of life but not rowdy like Malia. A small train takes you around the hills, visits landmarks and sites, villages. Seems to go all day and during the evenings. Lovely restaurants that cater for everyone.

Ag. Marina is only about 15 mins from Chania. When we went there last about 2 years ago it had changed a bit, now had crazy golf..... water sports on the beach which was new. Lovely beaches too. Brilliant restaurants, pizza/italian, Greek with greek dancing etc., chinese

These places are popular with families and are not loutish in anyway. We have friends living in Ag. Marina and are very happy there.

Chania is lovely to visit too, maritime museum, walk around the lanes, carriage rides, tiny art exhibitions, colourful shops, restaurants under the ruins and the vines. Even a cinema which is an experience in itself that shows the very latest films (before the UK gets them) in English too with Greek subtitles. You can even see the lads playing football, mostly in a floodlight ground around midnight on the main road to Chania. The Greeks love their football... and dont mind talking about it...! August is very hot and we have been there when it was around 36-37 degrees.

Samaria Gorge great to visit - might be too much to walk for 11 year olds but a sight worth seeing. Elafonisi beach is brilliant for kids, visit the Sophia Caves on the way. Falasarna beach and fort brilliant too.
All in all Crete is a good choice.

We are going to Corfu for a change but miss Crete when I talk about it! (Can't you tell!!)

Stalis is good , between hersonisoss and Malia
You have Star beach nearby, water slides and trampolines (fee) but also lovely pools ,lazy river and gardens to relax at without the hassle of travelling to a water park. You can by a wristband for the water slides or pay for a one off. Great for me as i have a fear of heights but the kids are dare devils!

Also like to recommend the Chania area. Went last year on a family holiday, staying in Maleme, in a great hotel, but it was AI and I got the impression you were after apartments plus restaurants/bars etc. Went to Platanais quite a few times and it had loads of bars, eateries, shops etc. That area of Crete did seem to be family friendly, busy enough without being OTT, and Chania itself was great. You probably need to do a good trawl through some greek specialist brochures. Let us know if you get anything booked. Happy hunting.