Plakias Forums
Plakias => Where to stay => Topic started by: Alex&fran G on May 09, 2005, 10:27:10 PM
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Hi, We are due in PLakias on 7th June for 2 weeks,I am looking for some tips on where we could travel on public transport without too many changes,last year we booked on several coach trips which we enjoyed but most of them were to several destinations with not very long in each place this year we are hoping to spend longer in certain places.I never drive while so we are limited to buses or taxi's
so any advice would be most welcome. regards Alex&fran G
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Alex & Fran,
You can obviously get to Rethymnon. By changing there you can get to places on the north coast between Chania and Iraklion, e.g. Georgoupolis or Bali.
With one change (at a place called Bale in the middle of the country), you can get to Spili and Aghia Galini.
I think that in high season, there are a couple of buses a day from Plakias to Chora Sfakion, calling at Frangokastello so it would be possible to do a day trip to either of those.
This webiste might be useful, but I don't think the summer service is on there yet:
www.bus-service-crete-ktel.com
Greecemad
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Alex & Fran,
I think that in high season, there are a couple of buses a day from Plakias to Chora Sfakion, calling at Frangokastello so it would be possible to do a day trip to either of those.
Greecemad
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and if you can get to Chora Sfakion, you can get the ferry to loutro, agia roumelli, sougia and paleohora!
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and if you can get to Chora Sfakion, you can get the ferry to loutro, agia roumelli, sougia and paleohora!
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=3294\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
True and well worth the adventure. One bit of advice after a couple of our Stella Pensioners went a bit astray in that very direction is to always take a tooth brush and enough money for a room overnight.
They thoroughly enjoyed thier unintended adventure.
John R
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True and well worth the adventure. One bit of advice after a couple of our Stella Pensioners went a bit astray in that very direction is to always take a tooth brush and enough money for a room overnight.
They thoroughly enjoyed thier unintended adventure.
John R
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good advice John
we often go off roaming and in the past have cursed our short-sightedness in not bringing the wherewithall to stay over
now we pack a small case
sougia was a case in point for us several years back, we were staying in the north west and were driving around the area when we came across the place and loved it, unfortunately we didn't even have enough cash with us for an evening meal (i wonder if there's an atm there now?)
live and learn eh?
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and if you can get to Chora Sfakion, you can get the ferry to loutro, agia roumelli, sougia and paleohora!
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True, but you would have to stay overnight. I was limiting things to possible day trips. Obviously if you are prepared to stay overngiht then much longer trips become possible, i.e. you could get to anywhere on Crete via Rethymon.
One trip possible is to go by bus from Plakias to Rethymon, Chania and Paleochora (or Sougia), stay overnight then take the boat to Chora Sfakion and bus back to Plakias.
Greecemad
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One trip possible is to go by bus from Plakias to Rethymon, Chania and Paleochora (or Sougia), stay overnight then take the boat to Chora Sfakion and bus back to Plakias.
Greecemad
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how long do you think that would take by bus? i'm guessing around 5-6 hours?
hania to paleohora is 2 1/2 at least
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Harribobs,
Plakias to Rethymnon is about 40 minutes
Rethymnon to Chania is about an hour (at least every hour)
Chania to Paleochora, as you say, is about 2.5 hours I think, but it's a scenic drive through the mountains.
So about 4.5 hours plus waits in between. You would have to plan to meet a specific bus from Chania to Palochora.
The boat from Paleochora leaves about 8.00 or 8.30 and gets to Chora Sfakion about mid-day. The bus back to Plakias would be about 5.00 pm.
In June I am planning to do most of this more leisurely, i.e. fly to Heraklion, bus to Chania - stay overnight - bus to Paleochora - stay a few nights - boat to Sougia - stay a couple of nights - boat to Chora Sfakion - maybe stay overnight, maybe not - bus to Plakias - stay a few nights - various buses to Matala - stay a few nights - bus back to Heraklion.
Greecemad.
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Thank you all you have been very helpful. regards Alex.
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In June I am planning to do most of this more leisurely, i.e. fly to Heraklion, bus to Chania - stay overnight - bus to Paleochora - stay a few nights - boat to Sougia - stay a couple of nights - boat to Chora Sfakion - maybe stay overnight, maybe not - bus to Plakias - stay a few nights - various buses to Matala - stay a few nights - bus back to Heraklion.
that sounds absolutely fantastic! the last time we stayed over at chora, we stayed at one of the hotels right on the front (livicon i think) and the view when you open your balcony doors on to the harbour was breath taking, worth the extra few euros it cost!
i doubt if we'll see paleohora this year, but we've penciled in a few nights at matala, and i'd love to see sougia as well (we might walk the gorge there)
god i can't wait
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Hi, We are due in PLakias on 7th June for 2 weeks,I am looking for some tips on where we could travel on public transport without too many changes,last year we booked on several coach trips which we enjoyed but most of them were to several destinations with not very long in each place this year we are hoping to spend longer in certain places.I never drive while so we are limited to buses or taxi's
so any advice would be most welcome. regards Alex&fran G
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=3286\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Currently the first bus to Rethymnon is at 12.15pm on weekdays, if you exclude the 7.00 am one. However on Sat/Sun there is one at 9.30 am.
Mike
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Currently the first bus to Rethymnon is at 12.15pm on weekdays, if you exclude the 7.00 am one. However on Sat/Sun there is one at 9.30 am.
Mike
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=3390\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Fortuitously, in the course of planning my own trip today, I had a look at the ktel website, and see that after the 0700 bus the timetable shows the next as being at 1015. (There is no sign of a 1215 bus.) However, as the bus operator himself indicates (and I know from personal experience) the times shown are not set in stone, and can be quite different to the ones the buses actually operate to.
Incidentally, I would say that if the bus makes the journey from Plakias to Rethymnon in the time indicated by Greecemad, you would be very lucky. I suppose it depends on which bus you take but the norm for the trip would be nearer an hour...or more, if that particular bus took the scenic route!
Noopsy
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Incidentally, I would say that if the bus makes the journey from Plakias to Rethymnon in the time indicated by Greecemad, you would be very lucky. I suppose it depends on which bus you take but the norm for the trip would be nearer an hour...or more, if that particular bus took the scenic route!
Noopsy
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[/quote]
I thought that the normal timetable allowed for a journey time - or rather a turnround time - between Rethymnon and Plakias of 45 minutes so that would mean about 40 minutes journey and 5 minutes slack -though some nuses go on to Preveli or Chora Sfakion . And the buses seem to keep more or less to the timetable -though I too have noticed discrepancies between the published timetable and the timetable shown at the Plakias bus stop - and the latter is usually right
roger
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Fortuitously, in the course of planning my own trip today, I had a look at the ktel website, and see that after the 0700 bus the timetable shows the next as being at 1015. (There is no sign of a 1215 bus.) However, as the bus operator himself indicates (and I know from personal experience) the times shown are not set in stone, and can be quite different to the ones the buses actually operate to.
Noopsy
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Last month the times at the bus stop seemed to agree with what was running. On travelling to Rethymnon the bus went direct, but on the return journey it went via Preveli Monastery, which added quite a bit to the time taken. Nice views though.
It may be that the times in the Ktel timetable are those which will operate in high season. 10.15am is a much more useful time for the majority of tourists than 12.15pm.
Mike
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Does anyone know the best way to go by public transport from Heraklion airport to Plakias. As far as we can work out it's to the town centre, change bus to go to Rethymnon and then change again to Plakias. Anyone know any more interesting but quickish roots. We see there is a bus from the airport to irepetra. Got the bus timetable sites but what's written down and what's possible aren't always the same thing.
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Does anyone know the best way to go by public transport from Heraklion airport to Plakias.
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Hello Tom and Liz,
Welcome to the Forum. There was a topic last year on this very subject Click [a href=\"http://forums.plakias.co.uk/index.php?PHPSESSID=a7hbch2o18opq20t6gchcohpk2&showtopic=408]here.[/url] Then find the post by Noopsy 500 on 3/9/04 at 11.59. Other posts should be of use to you as well.
The taxi fare is 75 Euros.
However you get there I'm sure you will enjoy Plakias.
Mike
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Hi TomandLiz,
You've got it right: Airport - Heraklion - Rethymno - Plakias.
I've never heard of an alternative that would not be much slower.
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Regarding the previous questions on this thread about the bus timetable, I can confirm that the bus service is nowehere near as useful as it used to be as the times are silly. The current timetable is as follows:
Rethymon to Plakias: 06.15, 10.15, 14.15, 16.30 (via Preveli)
Plakias to Rethymon: 07.00, 12.15, 15.00, 18.00
At 11.15 the bus goes to Preveli then comes back to Plakias.
For my journey from here (Plakias) to Matala I am going to have to get a taxi to Mixorouma to catch the bus to Aghia Galini.
There is no sign of any buses between Plakias and Chora Sfakion as there used to be. On my journey from Sougia to Plakias, whilst on the ferry to Chora Sfakion, I happened to be offered a lift by some people who had a hire car. On arrival in Plakias I discovered that they live less than 10 miles from me!
Greecemad
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Rethymon to Plakias: 06.15, 10.15, 14.15, 16.30 (via Preveli)
Plakias to Rethymon: 07.00, 12.15, 15.00, 18.00
At 11.15 the bus goes to Preveli then comes back to Plakias.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=3608\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
These times are Mon-Fri only. On Sat/Sun there is a 9.15am bus (Plakias-Rethymnon) which is much more useful.
Mike
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These times are Mon-Fri only. On Sat/Sun there is a 9.15am bus (Plakias-Rethymnon) which is much more useful.
Mike
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Yes, I discovered this later. It's actually 9.30 not 9.15 but in fact I used it. I left Plakias at 9.30 and 4 buses later I arrived in Matala about 1.00 p.m.
Greecemad
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There is no sign of any buses between Plakias and Chora Sfakion as there used to be.
Greecemad
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=3608\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
This is bad news. Makes exploring the south-west coast from Plakias pretty challenging for those of us who don't drive. I wonder if they might re-introduce it on the summer timetable? (which hasn't yet been posted on the website.)
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There is no sign of any buses between Plakias and Chora Sfakion as there used to be.
Greecemad
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=3608\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
This is bad news. Makes exploring the south-west coast from Plakias pretty challenging for those of us who don't drive. I wonder if they might re-introduce it on the summer timetable? (which hasn't yet been posted on the website.)
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=3720\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Just back from Crete this a.m. I see the highest temperature predicted in Brighton for the next five days is lower than the minimum overnight temperature was in Crete. Ho hum.
Still no bus from Plakias to Hora Sfakion. Doug at the Alianthos car hire/travel agent/information bureau told me KTEL reckons it wasn't being used enough in previous years. I ended up getting a taxi to Hora so I could catch the boat along to Sougia.
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There is no sign of any buses between Plakias and Chora Sfakion as there used to be.
Greecemad
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=3608\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
This is bad news. Makes exploring the south-west coast from Plakias pretty challenging for those of us who don't drive. I wonder if they might re-introduce it on the summer timetable? (which hasn't yet been posted on the website.)
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=3720\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Just back from Crete this a.m. I see the highest temperature predicted in Brighton for the next five days is lower than the minimum overnight temperature was in Crete. Ho hum.
Still no bus from Plakias to Hora Sfakion. Doug at the Alianthos car hire/travel agent/information bureau told me KTEL reckons it wasn't being used enough in previous years. I ended up getting a taxi to Hora so I could catch the boat along to Sougia.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=3875\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
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How much do you pay for taxi between Plakias and Hora Sfakion?
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How much do you pay for taxi between Plakias and Hora Sfakion?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=4077\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
a couple of years ago i paid €25 (IIRC) perhaps someone has done it more recently?
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How much do you pay for taxi between Plakias and Hora Sfakion?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=4077\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
a couple of years ago i paid €25 (IIRC) perhaps someone has done it more recently?
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I paid 40 euros this July though you might be able to haggle it down.
There's usually plenty of taxis around at the rank opposite Hotel Livicon, you just go and stand there and someone will wander over to see what you want.
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I paid 40 euros this July though you might be able to haggle it down.
There's usually plenty of taxis around at the rank opposite Hotel Livicon, you just go and stand there and someone will wander over to see what you want.
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€40 60% increase in 3 years!
i think the guy in the supermarket next to the Livicon runs taxis (if there's none around)
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I paid 40 euros this July though you might be able to haggle it down.
There's usually plenty of taxis around at the rank opposite Hotel Livicon, you just go and stand there and someone will wander over to see what you want.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=4081\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
€40 60% increase in 3 years!
i think the guy in the supermarket next to the Livicon runs taxis (if there's none around)
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=4086\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
yeah well, I only paid £93 for my flight (via Olympic website) so felt I could splash out a bit once I got there.
I noticed that some of the boats do excursions to Loutro and places like that, maybe they also stop at Hora Sfakion? It might be worth inquiring about a one-way trip.
How do you get the euro symbol in your messages, I can see one on my keyboard on the 4 key but can't get it to appear on the screen. It's really frustrating.
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I noticed that some of the boats do excursions to Loutro and places like that, maybe they also stop at Hora Sfakion? It might be worth inquiring about a one-way trip.
How do you get the euro symbol in your messages, I can see one on my keyboard on the 4 key but can't get it to appear on the screen. It's really frustrating.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=4087\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
good idea about the boats, it's got to be worth a shout
for your euro symbol, hold down ctrl, alt and 4 together €
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for your euro symbol, hold down ctrl, alt and 4 together €
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thanks, that must be the only combination I hadn't tried...
it's €asy when you know how
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Regarding the previous questions on this thread about the bus timetable, I can confirm that the bus service is nowehere near as useful as it used to be as the times are silly. The current timetable is as follows:
Rethymon to Plakias: 06.15, 10.15, 14.15, 16.30 (via Preveli)
Greecemad
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I believe that in the summer there is also a coach that departs at 12.15 (although it does not appear to take the direct route to Plakias) which is a much more useful connector if you have arrived on a morning flight at Heraklion.
Noopsy
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Regarding the previous questions on this thread about the bus timetable, I can confirm that the bus service is nowehere near as useful as it used to be as the times are silly. The current timetable is as follows:
Rethymon to Plakias: 06.15, 10.15, 14.15, 16.30 (via Preveli)
Greecemad
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I believe that in the summer there is also a coach that departs at 12.15 (although it does not appear to take the direct route to Plakias) which is a much more useful connector if you have arrived on a morning flight at Heraklion.
Noopsy
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=4096\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Noopsy
Unfortunately you can't rely on what services may have run in previous years as they seem to have made some cuts this year
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You can see current timetables at [a href=\"http://www.bus-service-crete-ktel.com/timetables.html]http://www.bus-service-crete-ktel.com/timetables.html[/url].
Times from Rethymno to Plakias are now as Greecemad says with an extra departure at 19.30. Weekends are the same except there's no bus at 06.15.
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Thank you Rodger.
That's a bit of a bummer as it means I have a 3 hour wait for my connection to Plakias to look forward to. Oh well, I suppose it'll give me plenty of time to locate the whereabouts of Cosmote, and sort out a Greek SIM card for my mobile.
Noopsy
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Thank you Rodger.
That's a bit of a bummer as it means I have a 3 hour wait for my connection to Plakias to look forward to. Oh well, I suppose it'll give me plenty of time to locate the whereabouts of Cosmote, and sort out a Greek SIM card for my mobile.
Noopsy
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I'm sure Rethymno has enough attractions to divert you for two or three hours - for instance the Venetian fortress isn't that far from the bus station and makes a pleasant stroll. Also the Archaeological Museum, if you like that sort of thing.
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I'm sure Rethymno has enough attractions to divert you for two or three hours - for instance the Venetian fortress isn't that far from the bus station and makes a pleasant stroll. Also the Archaeological Museum, if you like that sort of thing.
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Thanks Rodger.
I might just do that as I ruins!
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The venetian fortress and archaeological museum are in Heraklion not Rethymnon, you could always look up some time share lads?
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The venetian fortress and archaeological museum are in Heraklion not Rethymnon, you could always look up some time share lads?
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Believe it or not the Venetians built more than one fortress during their occupation of Crete, and each of the major cities has its own archaelogical museum.
I know there's a fortress in Rethymno as I've visited it several times, and the Rough Guide map of the city shows an archaeological museum nearby.
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Whatever.
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Hello there is even a small Venetian Fortress, later used by the The Turks on a hill just outside Plakias named Koules, now there is an excellent accommodation a little lower to find there with the same name
Than near Koxare there are the ruins of a Turkish fortress with in front a Byzantine chapel, strange the Turks were afraid to take it away.
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Is Francokastelli venetian?
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Frangokastello is Venetian dating back to 1371. It appears it was built as protection against pirates and Cretans....
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Frangokastello is Venetian dating back to 1371. It appears it was built as protection against pirates and Cretans....
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Has there been any sightings of the ghosts?
george g...
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The ghost army, named Droussolites appear every year around the 17th of May and YES once I was there on that date and I you could see a fog hanging around the castle in the morning. Many years ago in Plakias there was a men named Barba Spiros ( uncle Spiros) he used to make a trip to the castle every year around that date, since he was an ancestor from the army that attacked the castle in 1823. You'll will believe it or not. His last trip was on the day he died, they found him dead on the beach.
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The ghost army, named Droussolites appear every year around the 17th of May and YES once I was there on that date and I you could see a fog hanging around the castle in the morning.
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I've not been there in May but it's a pretty spooky place after dark at any time of year, particularlty when there's a howling wind.
Of course that was in the good old days when you could get there by bus from Plakias (to return to the alleged topic of this thread ...)
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The ghost army, named Droussolites appear every year around the 17th of May and YES once I was there on that date and I you could see a fog hanging around the castle in the morning.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=4164\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
I've not been there in May but it's a pretty spooky place after dark at any time of year, particularlty when there's a howling wind.
Of course that was in the good old days when you could get there by bus from Plakias (to return to the alleged topic of this thread ...)
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sorry rodger!!
george g...