In October we are traveling to Crete. We are spending a week at a time share with our adult children, in northern central Crete. We will be flying in a week before the kids. We are staying 2 nights in Athens and looking for a special place to relax in Crete for 5 days before the madness of the family.We are looking for a place in central or eastern Crete because my husband is not too crazy about a lot of mountain driving. We don't want fancy. Ideally we are looking for a quiet spot with cottages or something that have their own kitchen. We would like access to a market and a few quiet restaurants. We would like some sight seeing for day trips that would not be more than an hour and a half away. We would like nice walking. A beech would be nice but not a requirement. I am blind so I am atracted to food, sounds and smells. My husband is sighted and adds views to his list. Can someone help?
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Philadelphia, PA, USA
3385 posts
Gayle, I find it hard to advise you without knowing more, and without someone who can look at a map as I suggest ideas. Here is an excellent online large map of crete for your husband to look at (click on it & it gets huuuge)
http://www.explorecrete.com/crete-maps/images/Crete-eot.png
Where r you landing? Heraklion or Chania? Where is the time shore?Rethymnon, on the shore?? When you say Central do you mean you are confining yourself to between Rethymnon & Heraklion? BTW, since your husband will proably be the one to read this, mountain driving is not about east & west but about whether you go in from the North Coast on a major valley-based road or not. For instance u could drive all the way from Heraklion or Rethymnon to a beach like Matala on the south coast and NEVER drive in a mountain, because the 2 roads are in valleys and relatively flat all the way.
About Cottages w. kitchens-- you are likelier to find a "self-catering" unit in a building with a few units. For walking, an area near the shore would be bst for you, for the most level walking for a blind person. I would suggest the 2 beach towns of Khalives and Alymirida, west of Rethymnon about 45 mins ... they have access to nice walks, and very near an inland traditional village of Vamos, sells local products, has cooking classes, guided walks etc. Very fertile & flowery around there. Give more info, and we can be more helpful.