Recent Posts

51

Plakias / Kourtaliotiko gorge: More than 100,000 visitors from May to the end of August

« Last post by kokkinos vrachos on September 11, 2025, 07:20:04 PM »

"More than 100,000 visitors have welcomed this year the gorge of Kourtaliotis river, in Crete, which since the beginning of May has been operating under a new regime. On the initiative of the Municipality of Agios Vasileios, the Region of Crete, the OFYPEKA and the Ministry of Environment, a new, organized operating model was launched, with the aim of ensuring the experience of visitors and the promotion and protection of the natural environment."

https://creta24.gr/koyrtaliotiko-faraggi-perissoteroi-apo-100-000-episkeptes-apo-ton-maio-eos-to-telos-aygoystoy/

Best regards from Hamburg, kv

52

PlakChat / Re: Long absence

« Last post by ian s on September 10, 2025, 08:20:31 PM »

we go independent so not sure about Olympic.  Far end still the same.

depending on when you come you may find the village very busy.  also the number of cars compared to the old days is staggering.

the clientele too have changed.

but we still keep returning.

53

PlakChat / Re: Long absence

« Last post by Mike from Sussex on September 09, 2025, 08:46:26 PM »

Barny, Ian, thanks for the replies. Is Olympic the best option now? Whether I can get there depends on the cost of respite care for my wife, who is now disabled. But here's hoping.

Is the far end still as I remember?

Mike

54

PlakChat / Re: Long absence

« Last post by ian s on August 28, 2025, 05:35:07 PM »

Here at the moment for our 35th year I think.  Yes there have been many changes and new accommodation sprouting up in many places.  It may no longer have its end of the road feel and hardly a backpacker or hippie in sight but for us it still has its magic and we can reminisce about the old days.

As with nearly everywhere prices have gone up but it is still possible to dine out for reasonable price.

So worth revisiting to see for yourself I'd say.  The mountains and sea remain the same.

55

PlakChat / Re: Long absence

« Last post by Barny on August 27, 2025, 01:57:26 PM »

Hi Mike
It's certainly changed.
For the best? in my opinion. No.

    Barny.

56

PlakChat / May / June

« Last post by Barny on August 27, 2025, 09:37:05 AM »

Hi Gang,
Just back from Plakias, two weeks in August. Very busy compared to previous visits at the same times, far end full by 11:30, Antonis very busy at lunchtimes, strange for that time of year.
Did anyone visit this year around May / June times and could comment on how busy it was then and how the climate was?

    Barny.

57

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

58

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

59

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

60

PlakChat / Re: Free walking guides

« Last post by harribobs on July 18, 2025, 02:53:33 PM »

gone