We will be doing the RS Best of Greece tour in May 2026 but want to spend some time in the islands prior to the tour. The more I see about Crete, the more interesting it looks; and as charming as Santorini, Mykonos etc look, Naxos really appeals. I'm considering Chania/Rethymno/Heraklion on Crete (about 2 nights each) and then 3 or 4 nights on Naxos before joining up with the tour in Athens.
Hiking the Imbros Gorge appeals, and of course the archeological museum and palace of Knossos in Heraklion.
We're active seniors.
Suggestions?
Thanks!
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5875 posts
Chania and Rethymno are pretty close together. I think you could pick one to stay and just visit the other.
Posted by
OP
Ottawa, Ontario
96 posts
Thanks, Emily. Something to consider.
Posted by
Colorado
2285 posts
Six nights is really not enough for Crete. I’d suggest either spend the whole 10 days on Crete or combine Naxos with either Paros or Amorgos. Both are a short ferry ride from Naxos. Paros is being “discovered”, so Amorgos would be quieter and probably better hiking. Both are beautiful.
Posted by
OP
Ottawa, Ontario
96 posts
Something else to think about. Thanks!
Posted by
3202 posts
My thought is that you are spreading yourself a little thin by trying to go to Naxos and Crete in time you have. You will lose most of day moving between them.
I wonder if you might be better off spending all your time on Crete. It is huge and quite varied. Or Naxos and a closer by smaller island.
Posted by
OP
Ottawa, Ontario
96 posts
Thanks, that is something to think about.
Posted by
London
654 posts
If it were me, I would spend the whole time on Crete. Crete is huge and there is so much to do. We once did eight days- 5 in Chania, 2 in Rethymno, and 1 in Heraklion- and that was a good split for us, tho our holiday was quite beach-focussed. I've not done Imbros Gorge but Samaria Gorge is amazing. The archeological museum that you mention is excellent, and probably the best place there is to learn about the Minoan civilisation (which is even older than classical-era Greece). If you like wine, there's also a great wine growing region just outside of Heraklion, and we had one of our best-ever meals in Greece in one of the restaurants there. Good luck deciding.
Posted by
Edmonds
91 posts
Active (for the most part) senior here also. I agree that both islands would be spreading yourself thin. We just returned from almost a month in Crete and, even having been there 4 times before, we still have not seen or done everything we've wanted to do. Crete is really big with many fascinating sights and many of the roads are winding and hilly. While distances may not look like much looking at a map, as the crow flies, does not give you a clue about travel times. You want to take some time to relax on Crete. Have a coffee, sip a coffee, engage with the locals, etc.
We have also been to Naxos and really liked that. It is smaller so easier to get from one place to another.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3598 posts
I looked on Rick's list and there is no "Best of Greece" ... do you mean "Athens and the Heart of Greece?" We need more info to give you the best advice --- "May" is vague, when it matters... because you plan to go Before your tour -- and RS tours start May 9, 16, 19, 23 & 25. are swims important to you? Before May 12 or so, the sea is really brrrr, even for Canadians.... If your island time would be after that, you'd be OK for dips. If it would be May 1 on... I'd stick to Crete for the whole time... much to see without swims, & warm enough to sunbathe.
If you're active and well-organized, you could manage a 5 + 5 "starter visit" to 2 of the finest islands of all.. but it will take careful planning. CRETE - on arrival day, Fly straight to CHANIA, spend 3 nights (2-plus days) - a day for gorgeous Old Town, perhaps a day doing a wonderful 12-psgr tour on Wanderlust Tours (down Imbros Gorge, ferry to Loutro & back), next AM rent car, leave CHANIA, drive S. then N. E. to outside of HERAKLION (Archanes?). Visit KNOSSOS, leave car in free lot there, take Local bus 30 mins to Heraklion Museum, then back. Next AM take a 9 or 9:30 Ferry -- if u are lucky, it goes all the way to NAXOS. If not, & it ends at Santorini, have lunch on pier, catch Next Ferry to NAXOS. In May, best to stay on Ag Giorgios beach, adjacent to Naxos Town (Port). Devote next day to Fascinating Port Town + swims, another 2 days exploring island (a car rental for a day allows you to explore fascinating landscapes, ruins, beaches -- or there's a good day-tour at €25 or so). FLY back to AThens in aft of your RS tour start, to meet your group for 1st-night dinner.
Posted by
Nanaimo, BC, Canada
1603 posts
We have been to Crete several time often for a month. There is lots to see and do. Your plan has you changing location 3 times and each change will use up about half a day for transfers.
Given the short time frame you have I would suggest you just go to Naxos. 9 or 10 nights in Naxos will give you sufficient time to explore much of the island. Naxos is often called mini Crete. There are a lot of similarities, Good beaches, mountainous terrine, mountain villages and a lovely main town with a maze of back alleys all leading up to the Venetian era Kastro.
Some images
Naxos town 2024 https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72177720318203165/
Naxos town https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157632094558042
Trip around Naxos https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157634605629689