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21
Plakias / Re: Kourtaliotiko Gorge
« Last post by kokkinos vrachos on August 20, 2025, 08:41:12 AM »
Kalimera, however, the deputy governor of Rethymno, Maria Lioni, believes that the only permanent solution is to build a tunnel. In an interview with Skai radio station, she emphasised that the area is now under considerable strain and that, unlike in the past, the road is used by tens of thousands of people ? both locals and visitors. In the local newspaper Rethymniotika Nea, she emphasised that although the tunnel construction would incur considerable costs ? estimated at around 70 million euros ? its implementation was ?urgently necessary, as there is no other way to guarantee safe travel.?

https://www.griechenland.net/nachrichten/chronik/36748-kourtaliotis-schlucht-auf-kreta-tunnel-soll-f%C3%BCr-sicherheit-sorgen

Best regards from Hamburg, kv
22
PlakChat / Re: Free walking guides
« Last post by Mike from Sussex on August 05, 2025, 10:34:27 PM »
Hi Chris,

I'm sure you're younger than me!

My eyesight was deteriorating fast, but I had cataract surgery earlier this year and am now glasses free with the vision I had in my teens.

All the best, Mike
23
PlakChat / Long absence
« Last post by Mike from Sussex on August 05, 2025, 10:22:52 PM »
Hi Ploppy. I?m back on the forum after several years. Pot and kettle I know, but I?m amazed at how few of the old regulars are still posting.
I suppose I should explain my absence. We were intending to visit in 2019, but our daughter, who has an auto immune condition, experienced a downturn, needing crutches to walk, and we stayed home to support her. When lockdown was announced we realised she could not stay in her first floor flat when we would not be able to visit, so took her back into our home. She continued to deteriorate, so could not return to her flat and we were her carers for the last five years. ESCC finally (!) found her a flat designed for the disabled with carer support earlier this year.
Plakias is now calling, but I am concerned after catching up with the forum. Our favourite place to stay demolished, many of our eateries closed and kokkinos vrachos? comments on prices and portions are concerning. Change is inevitable, but have we been away so long that we would not recognise today?s Plakias?

Mike
24
PlakChat / Re: Free walking guides
« Last post by harribobs on July 18, 2025, 02:53:33 PM »
gone
25
PlakChat / Free walking guides
« Last post by harribobs on July 17, 2025, 09:07:19 PM »
Three free walking guides to Crete, Sunflower guide to western and easter Crete, Ciccerone guide to the high mountains, aqll in good condition and in English. Bad eyesight and old age means I would like to pass these on, I require only postage

Regards to all

Chris
26
Plakias / Re: Kourtaliotiko Gorge
« Last post by kokkinos vrachos on July 16, 2025, 11:40:09 AM »
400,000 euros approved for repairing damage to Kourtaliotiko Gorge - In the tender phase the study for the tunnel

"The Ministry of National Economy and Finance approved the allocation of a credit of 400,000 euros for the implementation of the project: "Restoration of losses from landslides and falls on the provincial road 9 (in section 1 of the study), Kourteliotis Gorge, P.E. Rethymno" from the special Natural Disaster program. The work to be carried out include, as a matter of priority, the removal of unsafe rocky tumors at particularly dangerous points of the route, with the aim of restoring traffic safety and preventing accidents."

Furthermore, the realisation/study of a tunnel is planned.

https://www.neakriti.gr/kriti/rethymno/2128077_rethymno-egkrithikan-400000-eyro-gia-apokatastasi-zimion-sto-koyrtaliotiko

Best regards from Hamburg, kv
27
all ok now - both gorges open (as of 7 July)
28
Plakias / Re: Kourtaliotiko Gorge
« Last post by DandC on July 14, 2025, 04:10:09 PM »
Both gorges now open - we were there 23 Jun - 7 Jul
29
Plakias / Re: Tasomanolis
« Last post by DandC on July 14, 2025, 04:09:09 PM »
Just returned from Plakias..........we 'found' Taverna Rousolakos.......NO idea how we missed it last 2 years! Too much raki probably!
30
PlakChat / Re: Plakias 2025
« Last post by DandC on July 14, 2025, 03:37:44 PM »
Kali spera
Just back from 15 lovely days in Plakias - here's some random jottings which may (or not) be of interest:

- weather was amazing - 34-39 every day, which may be too hot for some! Lots of wind, very strong a lot of the time, but dying down last week.
- tourist profile similar to recent years: say 30% German, UK, French/Dutch
- definitely busier than previous years but not overly so
- usually use supermarket next to Bakery/Butcher but for fruit/veg, the big new (2023?) s/mkt across the road is much better. (The former were selling grapes from CHILE!!)
- best local snorkelling is Skinaria/Ammoudaki/W end of Damnoni

- some significant changes in the tavernas -
- Tasomanolis is sadly completely gone - turned into boutique shop :(
- GioMa under new management since 2023- still excellent view, but no longer able to book a table. Food pretty average and not cheap.
- Christo's is closed down and being replaced by Alpha and Omega - it's not yet open and looked like it will be a few weeks yet.
- Aptly named 'On the Rocks' now replaced by Frenzy Bar. Had high hopes of an improvement to On the Rocks, but Frenzy is just a very basic seaside bar frequented by kids on their cellphones.

Other dining out experiences:
- Plateia (Myrthios): went a few times - excellent. Pre-order moussaka (the best in Plakias) to avoid disappointment. VG mixed mezze.
- Dionyssos (Myr): guided tour of the kitchen so you can see exactly what you're getting. VG food and views. No reservations after 6.30pm.
- Mariou: Great place as always - very friendly, great views and great food.
- Panostrati (Selia) - nice authentic, out-of-the-way spot. VG fish.
- Sirocco - excellent place - friendly, good food, service and view. A top 3 for us - went 4 times - recommend the 'skartas' or the prawn tempura.
- Merastri (Selia) - another great food spot with lovely views
- Vrisi (Myr): went twice - astounding seabass bouillabaise - the soup/sauce is amazing!

And for nice spots for a drink:
- Foinikas Kantina (above Souda beach) - breathtaking view and friendly staff
- Ostraco - a fave late nightcap spot
- Sofia's - nice shoreside spot
- Cantina o Petros - great very cheap rustic place on the Plakias - Lefkogia roadside.
- great tavernas along the coast going E towards Frangokastello : Tav Galini/Lakki beach, Tav Koutelo
- and along the coast going W towards Triopetra - spectacular Tav Fotia (Ag Fotini) and Tav Filenia on Triopetra to Spili road (fill your water bottles with spring water gushing from the fountain!)

Less impressive:
- Apanemo - owners very young kids playing very loud games on cellphones.
- Calypso complex pool bar - rip off spot - e8 for a small, awful white wine in plastic cup + tiny bottle Fanta! (and got an old 10FF coin (remember those?) instead of a euro in change)
- The Kotsifou gorge and Kourtaliko gorge now BOTH open.
- We were getting e1.16/GBP using credit card but drawing atm cash was much lower - e1.03 at the blue/yellow ATM points, but best bet is the 'Eurobank' atm at the shop next to the fish spa         place by Moto Plakias. They gave e1.08 AND you just tap your card, so no fears of card being swallowed (as happened to us a few years ago)
- Petrol still rather pricey - best we found was e1.79/l (but 15c less than 2024!)

Anyway, enough rambling! Enjoyed our 2 weeks thoroughly, as always. Yassas!

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