We are an older couple (I'm 37 and hubby is 51) and the resorts we've stayed in before tend to be the larger resorts on the Greek islands such as Rhodes Town, Kos Town and Kamari in Santorini as we like a variety of things to do/see, shop, good restaurants, a sandy beach is not too important, neither are watersports, we do like to walk around and chill out....so I have identifed that Rethymnon, Hersonissos (if it isn't too lively!?) or Ag Nik may suit, open to suggestions though!!!! Thanks.

Hi there,

Talk about 'Great minds thinking a like!' (have you noticed the time we both posted!) ---- if you are inspired by anywhere let us know!!!!

Us Prestos

whooo spooky!!!! Did also look at Elounda and hubby and I like our history so he would want to visit Knossos etc....

Our black cat (with white tipped tail!) says hi too - he's just seen your picture! Seriously, if you find any good hotels etc or locations please send a pm and we'll do the same. We're both early 40s so, like you want it relaxing and quiet.

Now this is getting weird as we have a real live black and white cat called Kikki who has just gone mental at another cat outside and I thought she was going to break through the cat flap to get at it as she rammed the flap hard!!! I've checked out some decent looking places in Rethymnon but can't help thinking the resort is a bit way out west compared to all the resorts on the east side...I mainly look through trip advisor and this site of course for reviews and holidaysuncovered.com but helps to know the property first on that one! I should have some more time to research on Wednesday so happy to pm you!

We're looking at Elounda which seems a good location - not too far away from Agh Nik ----- have seen a few good hotels but one at £10,000 for 14 days per person b&b (plus £200 pppn for a sea view) may just be a bit out of our league!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, will keep n touch vi a the pm ----

off to feed tha cat!

My wife & I have been to Crete 5 times and have already booked for 2007.

We are in the older age bracket (you are only as old as you feel). & enjoy a quieter area so we choose just outside Rethymnon at Platanias - a smallish area with hotels, restaurants, shops. etc some 4/5 kms from the main town.

We go to the MINOS MARE hotel which is 4 star & where the staff, food, cleanliness etc are 1st class.

HOPE THIS HELPS A LITTLE.

BILL & RACHEL H

We love the Hersonissos or Stalis area. It's midway between Heraklion for Knossos and Elounda/Agi Nik for Spinalonga. There are a few historic sites in the area you could visit, but it is an ideal location for the rest of the North coast. It depends what sort of accommodation you want, as to where you stay. Stalis for self catering or Hersonissos for A/I. We found there was a nice breeze in Hersonissos. Stalis was sheltered but neither place was cool in August.

Parky

Hi Admin

Don't now if you've noticed but we seem to have added our post to the one above from tinka14 ( we both posted at the same time about the same thing!) If you want to close this thread feel free as tinka14 and Us Prestos have 'joined forces' ! Saves repetition

Cheers

threads merged

wizard

Is Hersonissos all full oF HB/AI as we really want self catering (high standard though) or B&B, as was looking there as better transfer times than to Rethymnon and closer as you say Parky45 to the sites we would like to go to..so then also looked at Elounda but seemed full of very pricey hotels as Presto2 noted! bit out of our price range too that one!

Have a look at the koni apartments Stalis with direct greece as long as you're relatively fit and don't mind a 15 minute walk to the beach road and bars.
Rick

We travel with Hellenic and they have a small selection of Self catering apartments in Stalis and Hersonissos area. Koutoulafari is about a 20 - 30 minute stroll up the hill from Star Beach and about 200 yards from the Royal Belvederes boundary. (The only short cut from there is over the fence at the back). It's got some lovely tavernas and is well away from the noise.

Have a look here http://www.hellenicholidays.co.uk/ at pages 12-14.
I don't think you'll beat their pricing.

A photo from the Belvedere to Koutoulafari

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hi there
has anyone visited the kalyves beach hotel,kalyves,crete or have any general info on kalyves as a resort?

hope to go there next may

thanks a lot

hectorzaza

I would not say Stalis is that suitable for a quieter holiday - It's almost merged with Malia! The main beach road, with all the shops and restuarants, is very busy during the peak seasons. You also sun the risk of being near the main highway - it's busy all through the day and night and the road noise can become annoying.

Would have to say west of the island is quieter - but if it's to be the east then Elounda or Ag Nik.

Re Kalives, we have stayed at Almerida which is the next bay along. It is a fantastic place in our opinion- sandy beach, tavernas all along the beach front, a few small hotels and lots of S.C apartments and villas. There were a mix of age groups but mostly quiet families and older people. No late discos that I was aware of.There are some lovely inland drives from there and it isnt far from Chania which is full of character and history. Being at the west end you are better off flying into Chania airport but even if you do fly into Heraklion the journey along the coast is interesting.

Hi,

we stayed at Almyrida, which is about 6km from Kalyves, last summer. Kalyves is a nice village with a good beach and all the shops and tavernas you need. There are nice villages around the area and a few ancient sites to see as well. You will need a car really, if you want to get around as the ktel buses go to Kalyves only a few times a day. The peninsula of Akrotiri is an interesting place to go to as is the beach at Falassarna, with the excavations of ancient Falassarna near by- about fifteen minutes' walk from the beach front hotel with a taverna where you can have a meal after swimming in the sea. In May, the beach will be quite empty and you can even go there by bus- only the last bus leaves around five o'clock. The only thing on the down side is, when the sea gets a bit choppy, they have underwater currents at Kalyves and Almyrida which make it dangerous even for experienced swimmers. Apart from that, it is the perfect place for a yob-free holiday
Schnubbel

Hi,
Been going to Crete regularly since before it was even a democracy, let alone part of the EU. Steer well clear of the eastern side of the island where all the main Brit packages go. If you want real Crete plus loads of action, culture, mountains, great beaches, great restaurants (Cretan style) base yourself near Chania....prefereably within striking distance for the good nightlife. The best beaches on the island are in the west so try to stay west of Chania. Falasarna beach won "best" in Europe recently! You need more than 2 weeks to explore western Crete! but trying is half the fun. Definitely get up into the mountains.
Yamas

We have been to Crete many times and stayed once in the East but mostly in the Western side.

We stayed in Plaka, a very small (blink and you miss it) fishing village around the bay from Elounda (about 10 mins on the bus). It was right opposite Spinalonga, you could get a small boat that took you to the Island for a fraction of the price the bigger boats charge, but without a guide. Take water with you, no toilets there and it gets very hot as there isnt much shade. Worth a visit. Elounda was very nice to visit, fairly quiet with nice restaurants and clean beach. AK Nik worth a visit too, as is the Lasithi Plateau with the windmills but we didnt like the south/East of the island much. We hated Rethymnon and Hersonissos - too busy like every city or big town, visited once and have never been back.

However, Chania as has been mentioned is well worth it, fabulous buildings and little lanes. Lots to see and the coast line is brilliant along there. Falasarna is one of our favourite beaches along with Elafonisos on the South West coast. Pretty villages along the routes. We stayed in Kolymbari where there is hardly anything there except a few restaurants, the beach isnt up to much with its pebbles so doesnt get busy but it is a good base to stay for visiting the area. Radvoucha is a lovely cove to visit with a tiny restaurant on its own by the beach. Dont bother with Kissimos, we felt it had no charm. We are not keen on visiting decaying ruins but love to walk and take in the views and smells of Greece and Crete has it all especially the West coast. A beautiful Island!