My husband and I will be spending 2008 Greek Easter (27th of April)on Crete. We'd like to have a home base for exploring and would love to participate in traditional easter events--have a more authentic traditional holiday. Anyone been there, done that? We are arriving ATH April 19, then ferrying to Crete 4/21 and will stay until 4/28 if we can find a way off the island to either Karpathos or Rhodes. Hopefully we will wander a few of the Dodecanese before returning to ATH on May 6 or 7.
Posted by
Nottingham, UK
658 posts
I can recommend the beach resort of Gouves. It's on the main bus route. It's a short hop from the capitol of Heraklion. There is also the village of Gouves, which is half an hour's walk up a very steep hill. It's worth it, tourists hardly ever go there. It's very quiet and the locals are very friendly. In my experience they will take you into their hearts and welcome you into their community life. It's very rural and there will be language difficulties. If, like me, you can only say a very few words in Greek such as please and thank you it will go a long way. Please remember that for any religious ceremonies it is expected that ladies will wear very conservative clothing and you will be expected to do the same, no bare arms, a long lightweight skirt and a headscarf. Men should wear long pants and a shirt, a tie is optional but it shows respect.
Island hopping from Heraklion port is easy, Rhodes is well worth a visit.
Posted by
OP
Bloomington, IN, USA
22 posts
Thanks for this idea. I am aware of the dress restrictions, but thanks for mentioning it. I'll look this village up on the map. BTW, how can it be a beach resort and no tourists?
Posted by
Reseda, CA, USA
196 posts
I stayed in Gouves also. It does some how avoid being toursity... It is a great base especially if you rent a car.
Posted by
OH, OH, USA
1158 posts
I've never spent Easter in Greece, but Orthodox Easter is quier different then US Cathlic one.
I stayed in Hiraklion, or something like that. It's the bigest city with quiet night life.
I would go in a tour of a few islands. You can book a short cruise and see a few islands just in a few days. We also rented a car and went around the island of Crete. It was realy cool. The road goes very close to the Med sea and the view was spectacular.
the only problem i had on crete was the olive trees smell. I love olives, but the smell was too strong for me. Take with you a branch from an olive tree. Greeks believe it brings lock.