Hi Judith,

from other posts of yours I get the impression that we rather like similar things froma holiday, so I would encourage you to stick with your first thoughts, that is to stay in the west of the island. Even if the Samaria Gorge is still not open - they do this because of concerns about the danger of flash flooding in the event of the winter storms hanging around - there is still plenty of lovely walking to be done in and around the White Mountains.

Chania has a beautiful harbour with a good choice of bars and places to eat around it, though they are pricier than those without the view! It has a wonderful market too but it is quite a bustling little town. If you want something quieter then both Kalives or Almerida would fit the bill - both have a good choice of tavernas, some lovely little shops selling things made by local crafts people (I came back overloaded with silver earrings and embroidered bed linen!) and lovely beaches with a good selection of mainly self-catering accommodation. The weather should be great in April for walking and the spring flowers are supposed to be wonderful.

But if you are going to hire a car and aren't too bothered about being right on a beach then consider some of the little inland villages too. For example, Megala Chorafia is only 10/15 mins drive from Kalives but has some lovely locally owned villas and apartments for rent that have wonderful views of either the White Mountains and/or Souve Bay depending on high up the ridge they are. There are Roman ruins within walking distance and the village is largely shop free but has around 3/4 tavernas and Kafenions if you don't feel like driving down to Kalives for dinner. The main Minoan site are of course a little farther afield but are still within an easy distance for a day trip by car but if you were actually based in Chania or Kalives, then there are local operators that do excrusion trips to Knossos and Heraklion so hiring a car for the whole holiday wouldn't be absolutely necessary.

SMa

SMa

Many thanks, the western side of the island sounds lovely. I can focus my research on this area.

Judith

Definitely head West if you want to experience the best of Crete. There are some nice spots in the east but the west is rich in everything from mountains to Cretan culture to beaches to entertainment, to boats and harbours to restaurants. It's also much less anglicised!
Musts to visit are:
Chania (eat at Kanario)
Falasarna
Elefonissi
White Mountains (even if the Samaria Gorge is closed)
Prevelli
West of Chania (the wild west)
German War Cemetry at Maleme
Balos lagoon (great boat trip)

Plus all the wonderful new things you will discover.
You'll love it!

Richard, thankyou

Judith

We've stayed in both Chania and Rethymnon; both delightful towns, but on the whole we prefer Rethymnon - in fact we went there for a week last June, and going back for 10 nights this June! The old town is lovely, lots of shops and tavernas. Chania has the same, but it's more spread out, and the traffic in Chania is terrible.

The hotels in Rethymnon stretch for about 12 miles or so to the east of the town. It depends what type of hotel you like; there are some huge, modern places along there, and also some small hotels around the old town.

We love the Ideon, just on the edge of the old town, near the harbour. Nothing grand, but the rooms are pleasant, air-conditioned, and the breakfast is very nice. I'd suggest you consider it.