Will be spending 11 days based in the north coast of Crete (Iraklion-Rethymon and Chania) and will be wanting to do one Gorge walk (EASY walking) and visit one of the many caves. Are any suggestions do-able by Bus from the above cities?
We did the Samarian Gorge near Chania. It was one of the highlights of our trip.
The Gorges takes anywhere from 4-6 hours depending on the crowds and your fitness level. We caught the bus at the Chania bus station. The ride there and back is a thrill in itself. We caught the first bus in the morning and it took pretty much the whole day.
I am not sure that I would consider the Samaria Gorge an easy walk. It certainly depends on your fitness level, but for a couple of moderately fit 40 somethings, we were very sore for a day or two after. Maybe the worst part is that a good part of the trail is broken rock, hard on ankles and knees. That said, we would do it again. The route is basically a bus up to the trail head, do the trail, a ferry from the town at the end to a town to catch a bus, then bus back to Chania. You can find info on taking the bus to the coastal town, then Ferry to the "end" of the trail, then hiking a short distance to the most spectacular part of the gorge, then going back the way you came. This would certainly be easier.