Plakias

[George]

I personally always book a self carering acommadation.
I need a kettle and a fridge, to store all the obvious, but have never ever cooked a meal with the facilities.
I wouldn't waste my time, when the numerous choice of good cheap tavernas are available and so close to hand.

As long as the room is clean and serviced regularly, I'm happy with that, after all I only sleep there, for the rest of the time, I'm out and about on holiday.

I have never had a reason to complain in Plakias/Crete about anything, let alone the standards of the room, so see no reason why they/Greece should examine their standards. This is Greece not Spain!

They do vary obviously, but basically you pay for what you get.

'Everyone to their own!  '

george g...

[Mike G]

I personally always book a self carering acommadation.
I need a kettle and a fridge, to store all the obvious, but have never ever cooked a meal with the facilities.
I wouldn't waste my time, when the numerous choice of good cheap tavernas are available and so close to hand.

As long as the room is clean and serviced regularly, I'm happy with that, after all I only sleep there, for the rest of the time, I'm out and about on holiday.

I have never had a reason to complain in Plakias/Crete about anything, let alone the standards of the room, so see no reason why they/Greece should examine their standards. This is Greece not Spain!

They do vary obviously, but basically you pay for what you get.

'Everyone to their own!  '

george g...

Hello George,

I agree with a lot of what you say and I, too, wouldn't dream of doing any catering. However, significant numbers of people do and if it is called self catering that is what it ought to be. I know that you also often go alone and I often find there aren't enough coat hangers for one let alone two. Ditto storage space in general.

My main point is that the numbers wanting to go to the Med areas probably aren't increasing significantly (more now go further afield, balancing more going from new EU countries) and the supply is increasing (Crete is a good example of this) so the Greeks need to be aware of this.

My needs are similar to yours but many require higher standards. Re. the price we pay, yes it is excellent value but so are several other Med areas.

Enjoy Plakias this year- I'm sure you will. I hope to return in 2008.

Mike

[George]

The standards are in Plakias, after my 'Independance' research, there are some really nice apartments in town, that are a cut above the tour company offerins. Unfortunately the majority of opinions are based on what they get from them.

As I said in that thread, one does have to pay a little more for them, but they are there and as far as I can see well worth the extra.

I don't want to compare Plakias with anywhere else in Europe/World, 1. It's a choice thing, I go to Plakias/Crete/Greece because I like the way of life. 2. I like the people. etc. and personnally I'd rather it didn't change.

As the thread implies 'Plakias... why go there? I don't think that 'I like Plakias better than Benidorm or visa versa really applies, but the people, the countryside, the scenery, the food, the welcomeness (is that a word??) is what we should be portraying.
I'm getting a bit heavy here, sorry guys...  

I'm going...

george g...

[Mandy Harrison]

Noops

I have been once, thank you and that was enough

I've been to Rhodes more times than I've been to Crete, we used to use it (before we found Crete) as a quicky holiday early in the season, and stayed in Haraki, as has been mentioned on the board somewhere else.

I've still got a soft spot for Rhodes, but as you said Chris there is no comparison between the two, but my preference now is Crete hands down.

I've done a lot of the Islands, and nothing, in my opinion even comes close to this place, it never ceases to amaze me.

And for getting your bum done, the far end at Plakias has all the requirements, by far!!  
And no pervs., well none that I've noticed.  

george g...

No pervs?  Mmmm I think I can safely say i've noticed the odd one or two  

Hey Mike,

Don't dismiss the Malias and Falirakis of this world out of hand.  Malia has the third largest Minoan palace, an excellent beach and out of season is full of wrinklies rather than the 18-30 crowd.  Faliraki has an official nudist beach in a sheltered cove with marginally better facilities than Plakias' far end.  Mind you I can't dispute that Plakias is the better choice in high season.

See http://greeklandscapes.com/greece/crete/malia.html and http://www.faliraki-info.com/faliraki-map.htm

Allan

I cant disagree about Malia beach - it is lovely with those sand dunes - especially on a windy day - you can tuck in nicely and top up your tan

[harribobs]

No pervs?  Mmmm I think I can safely say i've noticed the odd one or two  

oeeew!!


we've had a royal visit!!!

[jenny]

No pervs?  Mmmm I think I can safely say i've noticed the odd one or two

In all seriousness, I truly believe that pervs are a fact of life, up with which we (naturists) have to put.  Annoying.

Faliraki - loos??  Council officials?  Blimey! - changed a bit since we were there then.

Vera Playa - we went there a lot in the 70's as my best friend has a house at Retamar - not naturist, sadly but does have a nice enclosed back patio where she removed the ubiquitous stone laundry sink from, to accomodate a couple of loungers.  (She was correct, we never did much laundry when we were there!)

I remember turning the telly on at home, one winter's day back then to see and hear David Bellamy telling me 'Here I am in the desert' - the prog was all about the Cabo de Gata which he told us was the only official desert in Europe.  And the Cape of the Cat lies between Almeria airport and Vera.  And in those days, the odd 'scorpio' in your shoe or under the sink, was the norm.  Not lethal by any means, but could give you a nasty nip if you didn't take care.  So as far as I am concerned, that explains the extremely mild climate.  But I have heard people say that Spring/Autumn in Vera can actually be quite rainy??

What's the weather like in Plakias in mid-May, then? - we might be able to squeeze a week between the two Bank Hols - should it be on our 'possible' list?

[Nancy & Ian]

No pervs?  Mmmm I think I can safely say i've noticed the odd one or two

In all seriousness, I truly believe that pervs are a fact of life, up with which we (naturists) have to put.  Annoying.

Faliraki - loos??  Council officials?  Blimey! - changed a bit since we were there then.

Vera Playa - we went there a lot in the 70's as my best friend has a house at Retamar - not naturist, sadly but does have a nice enclosed back patio where she removed the ubiquitous stone laundry sink from, to accomodate a couple of loungers.  (She was correct, we never did much laundry when we were there!)

I remember turning the telly on at home, one winter's day back then to see and hear David Bellamy telling me 'Here I am in the desert' - the prog was all about the Cabo de Gata which he told us was the only official desert in Europe.  And the Cape of the Cat lies between Almeria airport and Vera.  And in those days, the odd 'scorpio' in your shoe or under the sink, was the norm.  Not lethal by any means, but could give you a nasty nip if you didn't take care.  So as far as I am concerned, that explains the extremely mild climate.  But I have heard people say that Spring/Autumn in Vera can actually be quite rainy??

What's the weather like in Plakias in mid-May, then? - we might be able to squeeze a week between the two Bank Hols - should it be on our 'possible' list?

[harribobs]

Hi Nancy and Ian

welcome to the forum

if you post your message after the quotes it should come through OK!

What's the weather like in Plakias in mid-May, then? - we might be able to squeeze a week between the two Bank Hols - should it be on our 'possible' list?

quite nice really!,    

we go every year usually in the last two weeks, we find it's more mixed in the first week but we had a heat wave in the second (IIRC) nearly 40 degrees

[Nancy & Ian]

Hi Everyone

Had a wee problem posting hope now have it sorted!
Although I am a new member found this forum a few months ago and have enjoyed reading the postings and viewing the photographs.
We have been going to the north of Crete since 1984 but only found Plakias in 2000. We love the island and its people and know that they have to earn their living but hope that Plakias does not become too commercialised like the north of the island.
We shall be "coming home" to Plakias in June and cannot wait dont care if it is windy!

[harribobs]

good to se you got it sorted nancy!

[Greecemad]

I should be in Plakias again sometime in June. I've booked a flight on GB Airways to Iraklion from 8th to 20th June. (I've followed the advice given on this board that it's the cheapest way of getting to Crete).I'll have to spend one night in Iraklion as I arrive late at night - anyone any ides for that?  The plan is to go to Paleochora, Sougia and Plakias, so I'll be in Plakias from round about the 16th June.

Greecemad

[Stuart & Hilary]

I should be in Plakias again sometime in June. I've booked a flight on GB Airways to Iraklion from 8th to 20th June. (I've followed the advice given on this board that it's the cheapest way of getting to Crete).I'll have to spend one night in Iraklion as I arrive late at night - anyone any ides for that?  The plan is to go to Paleochora, Sougia and Plakias, so I'll be in Plakias from round about the 16th June.

Greecemad

For the last few years we have used www.mirabello-hotel.gr

 
Its adequate for a short overnight stop and its close to Tavernas for your first Mythos.

Stuart

[Greecemad]

For the last few years we have used www.mirabello-hotel.gr
 
Its adequate for a short overnight stop and its close to Tavernas for your first Mythos.

Stuart

Thanks, Stuart. By chance that's the hotel where I have already made enquiries.

I don't suppose you know how to get to it from the airport bus, do you?

Greecemad

[Mike G]

What's the weather like in Plakias in mid-May, then? - we might be able to squeeze a week between the two Bank Hols - should it be on our 'possible' list?

Hello Jenny,

Having had several holidays in July/August, owing to having school age children at that time, I really appreciate being able to travel out of season (mid May and late Sept/October). I can't guarantee you won't have a shower occasionally but the temperatures are generally very good (around 30C) although you may need a light cardigan/pullover in the evenings. These are the advantages from my perspective.

1. Hot enough for beach/sea and eating outside in the evenings but also cool enough for walking outside the hottest hours.

2. Air conditioning not normally needed.

3. Tavernas/buses etc generally uncrowded.

4. Few school age children.

5. Half the price (literally) of high season.

Plus you might see Mr and Mrs Harribobs (look for the queue). Seriously, Chris is right that last May it became really hot.

Enjoy.

Mike

[Stuart & Hilary]

For the last few years we have used www.mirabello-hotel.gr
 
Its adequate for a short overnight stop and its close to Tavernas for your first Mythos.

Stuart

Thanks, Stuart. By chance that's the hotel where I have already made enquiries.

I don't suppose you know how to get to it from the airport bus, do you?

Greecemad

http://www.mirabello-hotel.gr/English/Location.htm

That web site should help. Its a very central location, jut a few minutes from Lion Square and a shortish walk for the buses to Chania. Of recent years we always seem to arrive after the buses have stopped so it has been a taxi ride for us.

Stuart