Bike/car rental

[HarryM]

Hi im going to Palakias in july with my girlfriend Julie, and was wondering wether there was any where in the town that we could rent scooters, or larger bikes. As this is one thing i always liked the look of on any holiday programs about the mediterranean, it seems traditional  

Also if there is more than one place which is the best value for money?

Is there much to do in the town if we get bored? (we are both in our 20's) as Julie mentioned in the other thread, we usually go to the USA and have very busy holidays, this is a bit of an experiment really to see what its like to relax.

   
Looking forward to your replies.

Almost as much as the holiday!  

HarryM
In Rainy Cold Manchester

[shinaria]

Kalimera!
We used to rent bikes at the ....ah-mh...i forgot the name but it is the one next to the "KriKri" in the middle of the village near the bridge. The bikes were always o.k. and if not, they made it work. They had some big Trial - bikes with real all-terrain slicks so we could reach (almost) every place of the island. The prices were also cheap esp. when you rent it for a longer term. We brought our helmets from home but they have some in store there. It is also recommended to pay the few Drachmes[eh...Euros] more for the full insurance as otherwise you might have to pay for a flat tyre or other damages you cause. Riding on Crete is one of the greatest pleasures to have on two wheels - but be aware of the olive oil on some streets`surface...

You won´t get bored in Plakias!

[HarryM]

Sweet! thanks, thats me sold on the idea of motorbiking on crete!  

[shinaria]

I got the name again: odyssia  

[JulieB485]

Oh no!
Someone encouraged him  with the motorbikes idea!!!

AAARGGGHH!

 

[ostraco]

I must agree with your sentiments Julie - I've got a bike licence, but never hire one out there. Unfortunately, I've seen too many accidents!

By the way - I hear that some travel insurance policies expressly forbid the use of hired motorbikes - so be sure to check in advance if you do intend hiring!

[shinaria]

If you intend to hire a bike you have to be aware of the risks! A friend´s friend died there a few years ago. I think most accidents happen with small scooters driven by people who never drove a vehicle with less than 4 wheels. They are good to cruise from Secret Nest to the Meltemi but they´re not made for off-road use. If you want to take a big machine you should be an experienced driver and better: a good team on the bike. If one of you doesn´t feel good with it: let it be.   Take it slowly!

Have a nice trip
shinaria

[rich and petra]

Hi,

I am just replying to the last post, not particulary about bikes and stuff, but about the secret nest. We maybe paying our first visit to the area at the start of june and we are being offered the secret nest as accomadation. Am I right in assuming that because it was suggested that a bike is good for the secret nest that it maybe a bit out of town?

Thanks

Rich

[Greecemad]

The Secret Nest is only about 3 or 4 minutes walk from the sea, near the harbour and lots of tavernas so I wouldn't call it 'out of town'

[rich and petra]

Thanks greecemad

[shinaria]

It tried to make a kind of a joke when I said in an older posting " this bikes are good to cruise from the secret nest...) It´s no problem to walk the way in any condition you may be... [300m from Ostraco in the fields] We had rooms in the secret nest with a nice terrace in 1997 and we enjoyed it very much . Especially Nikos Papadakis, a fierce looking man with a black beart, was the best man around. He was a fisherman in the earliest morning and the maitre de cuisine in the night. Try his fish "and try the eyes - it´s the best" [Nikos] and drink a few bottles of Tsikoudia with him.

[rich and petra]

Thanks Shinaria,

We have booked up for the secret nest and we'll be there at the start of june. I am looking foreward to the fish already, not sure about the eyes though

Richard

[finna]

Re biking  -  please be aware of the pot holes and the high verges on the roads.  We are "bikers"  and used to bikes but we are always wary of the roads abroad.  As was mentioned before if it rains the roads are very very slippery.  We are going back to Plakias in September but are hiring a car this time !!!

[ostraco]

I think that's wise Finna,

I've seen several accidents in Greece- not caused by the lack of the drivers ability - rather than by the road conditions (or the other drivers they encounter)