House rental on Crete

Hello Joseph!
You're going to LOVE Crete... what a good choice! However, please don't be so terse! People haven't answered perhaps because still too much guesswork involved in formulating advice. What month? How many days? August far different from April. IMHO, late May thru June is perfecto, weather-wise, Eurocrowds mainly in July-August. Also, a budget range for lodgings is helpful. I'm a frugal traveler myself, but you may be upscale, so we want to be appropriate.

In my 12 trips to Greece since '99, I've visited Crete i think 5 times, 5+ days or so each, still only have seen half. Must recommend WEST crete vs East; latter on N. Coast very developed for UK package tours & "resorts." However, even staying West, if you do just 1 locale, lots of backtracking. If you have 2 weeks, consider a week in One Place, then drive round, 2 days in 1 place 4 days in another ... avoid backtracking. Here's an excellent online map to aid plans http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-maps/images/Crete-eot.png (click & it gets huuuge).

Here are good options for a villa stay that meet yr checklist: http://www.purecrete.com/aptera/ There are several 1 BR places for couples. Aptera is lovely, access to village tavernas, easy drive to Khalives beach. here in village of Douliana, about 5 mi east is another - http://www.cretetravel.com/hotel/natalias-houses … also w. 1BR units. When exploring, avoid the shore villages just to the East or West of Chania — Maleme, GErani, Platanias (W) or Khalives, Almirida or Georgeopolis (E)as these cater to UK package-holidaymakers). It’s Easy to spend day(s) in Chania Old Town, so much to see/do/eat/drink. THE most beautiful town in Crete, 2nd most lovely in Greece. Plenty of free parking in lot by sea. A day trip to Rethymnon also is worthwhile & it has a little red “tour train” hop on-hop off to see sites without fatigue (I’m guessing just guessing from your screen name that you’re retirees in 70s?) The E-W “old road” (on map, red road below Big Green Highway) goes thru many tiny villages we’ve been held up by herds of sheep or goats that take their time).

Week #2 itinerary ywould depend on your interests, which you dont specify — what about Minoan Ruins? Roads along rim of gorges with lots of exciting switchbacks? The Lybian Sea? I could spin several scenarios: (1) WEST to Falassarna, stay on bluff above beach, BEST sunset in Greece, then South thru mountains to Paleochora, happy village w. portside dining … (2) the “Vee Route” s. from Rethymnon, to Palace of Phaistos, Matala Beach, the N.E. thru wine country to Heraklion area (3) the Big Green hiway east, with stop-offs to Rethymnon - Melidoni Cave - stay in Archanes - visit Knossos. But no point until unless you indicate interests. You COULD do some of this via daytrips but w. excessive backtracking. So tell more, share more, and we can help more.

Thank you so much for your thoughtful and thorough information. I don't know why you thought I was terse but I really do appreciate the information. We are budget travellers for the most part and so would like a house in the low 100s range (Euro). We are limited to late June and early July being as I am a school teacher. My husband is retired. I retire in a year or so and can't wait to travel during the "shoulder" season. We are in our early 60s.

I guess i didn't mean terse, perhaps over-brief ... exact dates/times are SO key. I'm still not clear on length of stay... are you meaning you are flexible, depending? The sooner in June you can leave, the better... both in terms of weather (heat), lodging prices.. and also #s of people. If u plan ahead, maybe you can leave a couple of days after school's out. it's worth it. Be aware that, unless you are up on a mountain or 50 feet from the sea with an onshore breeze, you WILL need A/C. I've usually visited Greece from about May 20 - June 10. Last trip 2015, when I left on June 15, the last 3 days had suddenly got VERY hot ... it was about 95.. and of course July is the hottest month.

As for prices -- for a whole HOUSE, late june, €100 per night is ummm, and July, difficult... at least with your requirements. A BR unit (plus main room, kitchenette ell + balcony) in a small pension is more do-able. I suggest you send queries to the 2 links I provided ... And also look on the Akrotiri Peninsula, which is that big lump sticking up from Chania ... there are some nice small family/owned apts up on Stavros (the beach where they filmed Zorba back in the 50s). Search booking.com for "stavros" with your dates, and filter "lowest prices first" ... and you'll get the family-owned ones, without pools and froofroo. A terrrific one Little Bay, alas doesn't have A/C. One just off the beach with 2rm & balcony units, family owned, is Skamagkas M. Apts. ticks all the boxes... near beach, near the village of stavros w. many greek tavernas, just a 15-minute drive to Chania. Also, Alexis Apts. Both in the €300-400 range for 1 week. Gianna's House (villa, right on beach) 525E Booking.com. If u see one u like check reviews on Trip Advisor. Personaly I think Stavros is a great location, not many americans ...

Thanks again for more great info. We will probably end up doing 150 to 200 a night. I wish I could go earlier but, when I retire. We live in Palm Springs with July temps as high as 120 or 125 so 90s sounds cool. The last time we were in Greece, Milos, was in July and loved it. Again thanks for taking time to respond.

Perhaps not expensive enough for you, but this house (not apt) has unbeatable locale ... one of only 3-4 on Stavros beach http://www.booking.com/hotel/gr/gianna-house.html

Since we have done that with friends years ago we rent a car to the main cities

1. Chania
2. Rethymno
3. Heraklion
4. Agios Nicolaos

We rent a car for a week. The cities are small and within minutes ride you can drive to beaches and rural villages and we spent 2 days each . We also camped in some places across the way . Sharing appartments with host are a great way to get a feel of the culture plus local tips.