welcome to the greek forums of HT

you will find breif members resort reorts here

tthe main two independent toure companies are Summerland Travel and Tourline, you will proberbly find one of the local car hire places selling trips by one or other

Yasus
wizard

Efharisto Wizard.

Really looking forward to trying a new place.

Will read the reports.

Cloggie

Hi.
We had our first holiday at Georgioupolis this summer. (Went with Kosmar - who are no more!)
We had a lovely time there, and would definately go back to the resort. We found it just big enough to have everything you needed. Not sure about boat trips from there, but the bus service is very good, to get you to other local places. There are a couple of independant tour companies there, that do a variety of very reasonably priced day trips. We went with them to the Samari gourge - it worked out a lot cheaper than using Kosmar, and you had a local greek tour guide as well.
The resort itself is quite compact, it has lots of tavernas and just a few bars (no discos that we saw, even in August.)
Not sure what english travel companies go to Georgioupolis now that Kosmar has gone - there seemed to be a lot of Germans there, compared to the few English we saw.

Hi Lizzyb

It seems that Thomson/First Choice have taken on about three places in Georgioupolis. I think that in the next couple of weeks they will have them on their Web Sites (this is only what I have been told ).

Thanks for the advice about the trips.

Am now starting to look forward to next June.

Cloggie

Firstly by choosing the west part of Crete you are best positioned to explore the most attractive sites, notably the White Mountains which are magnificent. Do the Samaria Gorge and then you definitely won't want to dance until 6am! I personally prefer the area west of Chania which is a little less busy and has better beaches but you can no doubt travel there. Buses are the best way to get around if you don't want to hire a car. Chania itself is a great night out but avoid the harbour front restaurants which are over-priced and not so good as those a little further back.
Good luck!

Hi Richard

Thanks for the Information. As it is our first time to Crete we have decided to go to Georgioupolis as it was recommended by a Friend.

We will certainly visit other Beaches and we may find that we would like to go to them areas another time. We do like to pick up all information on the Areas also if we see Self Catering Apartments we like the look of we jot down there names or get a web address so that we can go back to them.

Will remember about the Harbour Restaurants in Chania.

Thank you for that.

You say west of Chania do you mean around Platanias area?

Cloggie

Hi Cloggie,
It just depends what you want from your holiday. Platanias is the most developed of the towns but the beach is not as good as Agia Marina. The best beach is Falasarna which was recently voted "best in europe". Other good beaches are Elafonissi, Kalathas, Paleochera.
Unfortunately these days it's getting hard to find good accommodation west of Chania. It's all taken by other countries whose holidaymakers are prepared to pay more than us Brits for the better places. The quality is notably higher though. I'm fortunate to have several friends in the area so I can keep up to speed with developments. If you feel more comfortable in the company of British people you won't be disappointed in Georgioupolis and the surrounding area.
You'll have a great time especially if you hire a car.

To some extent it is a matter of what you like. I personally preferred Almyrida to Georgioupolis (not to say there was anything bad about it) and find the area immediately west of Chania (Platanias, etc) too built up for us. Crete certainly has a lot to offer, especially if you hire a car and get out and about. One short trip you can do from Georgioupolis is to get the little land train to Lake Kournos - a pleasant spot for lunch and to hire a peddle boat or canoe on the lake. Chania is a must! I have some pictures of Chania, Almyrida, Lake Kournos and a couple of Georgioupolis on here from my holiday in June. Wherever you end up, I'm sure you'll like Crete.

http://www.worldisround.com/articles/346735/index.html

Hi Richard,

Do I like being in the Company of English People

It is nice to have a chat with them occasionally ---

but we really like being in the Company of Greek People, this is why we like going to Greece, I have found them all Warm, Sincere and very friendly people and we really enjoy their Company.

We have many friends on other Greek Islands and enjoy talking with them. We just really wanted to come and enjoy the Crete Hospitality.

Cloggie

Hi maria

The photo's are stunning. Gosh I wish June 09 would hurry up and come.

The Sunset photo's look stunning.

Thank you for your Comments. Will check this place out as well.

Cloggie

Hi Maria,
Your perception of "west of Chania" is interesting. I head west to find the true spirit of Crete and its people. Once you get beyond the western extensions of Chania it is very unspoilt and barely built up at all. Even after countless visits I still sometimes get lost on the tiny dirt tracks, just hoping for even the smallest village and sign of life. Of course invariably one stumbles upon a kindly local whose meze and raki refresh the soul.
Try heading north west from Kolimbari or turn off the road to Kandanos. This is the real Crete and it never disappoints!

Sorry Richard, I should have elaborated - I was thinking of Platanias and Agia Marina, which you mentioned. Further west - Falasarna, etc, is beautiful but with little development or accommodation (at least I hope not, since our last visit there).

Our first visit to Crete was to Maleme in the early 90s when there was little there. We returned a few years later and found it starting to develop. More lately I have seen large scale developments and all-inclusive resorts advertised all along that strip and would not return. We have been to Crete 4 times now, twice to Maleme, once in the east near Ag. Nik and most recently to Plaka, above Almyrida. It is a big island with plenty to explore. Though some areas have become over developed, there are still plenty of beautiful places off the beaten track. My preference is always to hire a car and get away from the crowds.

I sense Maria we like the same things although with a 7 year old daughter I have to find a balance! I've been visiting the area since 1975 and believe me at that time Platanias was just a hill top village with no beach side development. In fact the beach on that whole stretch was grassy and deserted even in peak season. The few tourists were German (visiting the cemetary) but now it's mainly Scandinavians. Nice to know you.

Hi Richard - on our first visit to Maleme we ate a couple of times in the old village, up the hill in Platanias. I remember it well, free village wine and live Greek music and dancing - wonderful! It was our first visit to Greece proper (we'd been to Cyprus) and the beginning of our love affair with Greece! Over the years we've gone to quieter and less commercialised places, with our kids grown up, we didn't have that consideration. Our trip to Crete this year was with our extended family, including 3 year old grandson - Almyrida is also a lovely family resort. There is something for everyone in Greece, if you chose your resort carefully! Roll on next summer!

I went to Georgioupolis a couple of years ago and it was one of the nicest resorts I've been to. We went in August but it was never too crowded. The Cretans were really friendly and the food was fab. Plenty places to eat and not too british. I like to meet people from all nationalities and it was very varied.
We went through Kosmar and stayed at Kokalas Apts (which Im sure can be booked direct with the owners). They were of a really high standard and only 5 mins from the main square in town.
We took the road train to Lake kournas and it was a welcome relief to pedalo around the lake to try and cool off.
We went to Crete on our honeymoon 18 years ago and stopped in Plakias, but one of the trips we did was to go to Lake kornas and it was amazing to see how it had developed - the toilet had a light (and more importantly a door) which it hadn't had previously.

I'd love to return to Georgioupolis one day.

MariaH

Your photos are FANTASTIC. We too love Crete. We love the Area around Kalives. Its a really typical Cretan Village, lived in all year by the locals and not too touristy even in August. The seaside village has wonderful safe beaches and plent of Taverna's to sample local dishes. We just LOVE IT ! Also plenty to see of historical interest very close by as well as the magnificent White mountains and picturesque villages.

We visited Georgioupolis last year and enjoyed our day visit. Particularly our meal in the Taverna in the square. Sorry cant remember its name ? Anyone else got recommendations for eating in Georgioupolis ?

Hi ALL

just found the name of the Taverna in Georgioupolis "MYTHOS" on the corner of the village square. I fully recommend it !! WONDERFUL FOOD !!! ENJOY

I Have to agree the Mythos taverna on the square in Georgopoli is the best, We had stayed in georgopoli 2 years previous, and had dined there and fully enjoyed the food, wine and atmosphere, This year we stayed in Almyrida,(which I found to be a much better base for us) but made a point of driving to Georgopoli to eat at the Mythos taverna on our last night as it was mum and dads wedding anniversary and I wanted to make it special, This was their second visit to the island and they enjoyed every minute of their trip, They can't wait to return, my mum is now a real Grecophile.