I'll be in Greece and the Greek isles this summer, and I want to make sure to check out the ruins of Minoan culture. Unfortunately the Rick Steve book on Greece doesn't cover Crete. Can anyone suggest some good books/websites on the island?
Posted by
Chania, Crete, Greece
42 posts
Check out www.explorecrete.com - there are a couple more out there but that's the one I use most.
Posted by
Formerly Athens
72 posts
If you are interested in archaeology I would highly recommend checking out the Blue Guide: Crete and the Blue Guide: Greece the Mainland. Lots of great historical information as well as sight plans.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3390 posts
My "go-to" guidebook for the past 5-6 trips has been ROUGH GUIDE to GREECE ... you can get it used on Amazon if u want to save a few bucks. It now is the MOST comprehensive and candid over-all guide ... gives thorough background on almost all sites, outstanding maps (which photocopy clearly so you can tuck one in a pocket & not have to carry a book). And a BIG plus is this you can take the book apart!! It's laid out by sections, starting on RH page, ending on LH. With care you can pull a section away from the cover, and use Duct Tape to give it a "silver Spine" and Voila! a pocket guide! The paper is thin but sturdy, holds up well. You can thus make a CRETE pocket guide, a CYCLADES Guide, an ATHENS guide etc. If you're not going to the Ionic isles, or N.E. Aegean, you don't have to lug those parts around. Also, the segment on Greek history (3000 BC - 2012 AD) is thoro & succinct .. another carry-along. PLUS: the budget lodging accoms are good, the transportation info also good & detailed. Summing: much better than lonely Planet, Fodors, etc. If you want to read a really Poetic travel Guide, Cadogan Guide to Greek Isles ... borrow from Library.
Posted by
Sunnyvale, CA, USA
290 posts
Fromer's Crete Day By Day is pretty good. You can create your own itinery from the book to suit your interests for the amount of time you are there. I suggest you get a rental car (Anna Car is the one I use) and a really good road map. Road signs to sights sometimes are not clearly marked. I learned to pay attention to the odometer reading to know when to start looking for the turn so I didn't miss it. Go early to sites like Knossos to get there before the tour bus crowds pack in.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
7915 posts
I like Let's Go for Greece, to add my favorite. It has a nice mix of budget restaurants and Hotels, plus information on the sites. Lonely Planet is also good, very comprehensive for towns, but a bit short on info about the sites, just the basics.