first time

[George]

thanks! I was considering Samaria gorge but I hate long trips and we are only there for a week so maybe not this time.

The gorge is also a long walk!  
Check out the 'where to go' thread Laurejane, it might give you some ideas for day trips.

george g...

[harribobs]

Also - the gorge - Agios Antonios close to the Amari valley. here you park at the top so the walk back is uphill but it's not at long as the Imbros, very pretty and with a good, simple taverna close to where you park.

this gorge sounds very interesting! we were told about a gorge in that area last may but never tracked in down

can we have full details please!!!      

[Graham_and_Karen]

Also - the gorge - Agios Antonios close to the Amari valley. here you park at the top so the walk back is uphill but it's not at long as the Imbros, very pretty and with a good, simple taverna close to where you park.

this gorge sounds very interesting! we were told about a gorge in that area last may but never tracked in down

can we have full details please!!!      

Shame on you Haribobs!   - An experienced member like you should know to do a search - I gave some details back in December, in the topic 'First time to Plakias'. Not sure if the links in the original post still work. Here is the text reproduced below.  
As promised, more info on our day trip to the Amari valley. We drove out through the Kouraliotis Gorge, then took the right turn through Frati to the main road. Turn right towards Spili then left at Mixorouma to Lambini and Karines and Patsos. Around patsos you will see signs to Agios Antonios - a picturesque gorge with a cave chapel originally used by a sect worshiping Hermes. The walk down through the gorge is worth doing. You can walk right to the end but it gets quite demanding the further you go and, of course, if you are in a car, you've got to walk back up again! There is a cafe at the Patsos end where you can get a drink and freshen up. We got to the gorge around 10am. If you leave it until lunchtime, you you might be sharing the place with one or more coach parties. From there we continued on the road through Pantanassa and Voleones. Turning right at the main road takes you to Apostoli. Keeping left, you will see signs to Thronos on the left. We found the place fascinating. We parked at the church, noticing the outline of a larger building that once was where the road is now. The church was locked but walking further into the village, there is a house on the left with loads of plants or other greenery. The old man there has the key and was more than happy to open the church for us. the whole of the inside is painted with biblical scenes. A walk round the back streets was interesting as well. If you walk past the keyholder's house, on the left you see a concreted road/track leading up, signposted to the ancient site of Syvritos. This leads to a path upwards, passing underneath the largest fig tree I have ever seen (we were lucky enough to visit mid. Sept. when they were ripe). The track is long but easy enough to follow. You don't see the excavated site until you are right at the top but the view from there is fantastic. From Thronos, we followed the road round the Amari valley, passing through Amari on one side and Meronas on the other. Not sure whether a direct link will work, so here is a link to my MSN Share Space - go to Photos and select the Arari Area, Crete album. MSN Share Space. You will also find the Crete TourNet site useful for maps and info. Crete Tournet.

[harribobs]

thank you!  

[Laurajane]

Hi Guys......I had a fantastic time in Plakias......I have so much to tell you I don't know where to start ! and my internet keeps disconnecting every 2 seconds! ....I went to Damnoni which was lovely, Ammoudi.and the next to beaches round from Damnoni on the scooter. I thought the people were all lovely as they always are in Greece! The main thing I noticed was how cheap is was to the rest of Greece...and the other parts of Crete I've been to! I spent a lot of time in Ostracos...I also liked the bars on the beach.

Kostas Chrysoulla was nice and well equipped but a bit too big for my liking...I think if I went again I'd stay somewhere a bit more small and freindly.....didn't like the crowded pool area but loved the pool next door with the bar......also it seems I had some clothes nicked by the cleaners but hopefully it is being sorted!....went on a boat trip to the lagoon place and went on a pedalo through the mountains....I thought it was very beautiful there.

The first half of the week was incredibly windy, it was actually blowing me off my feet! But apparently although its windy, its not normally that windy!

Food was nice and V cheap although I've def had better food in other places. To be fair though we tended to stick to the tavernas on the front as they were lively but Im sure if we were there longer we'd have ventured further!

Had a particularly good meal in Mousses/ muses one night and liked the staff....esp the old guy with the bills!

Also had a great meal in Sofia, my mum had chicken wuth garlic and something in a pot that was fantastic and I had pork in a pot with vegetables. Staff v. friendly too.

Best of all I managed to get my fave cocktail mojito in Platia...they also invented something similar for me in ostracos..minus the mint but 10 times stronger....all in all Fab hol.....def one of my favourites!.....needed more time there!

Also...like the English couple in the shop near Kostas...selling amazing dry white wine in water bottles!

Also there was a nice lady staying in a room near me (44) in Kostas who had been there the week before us and the week we were there who said she went there all the time and was hoping to buy a house there.....she had a bad foot or ankle......I thought afterwards she might be one of you.....so if you are ...reveal yourself lady!

[Alex_Kidd]

Hi Guys......I had a fantastic time in Plakias......
(CUT!)

Did you enjoy your nightlife?  
And what was your favorite place to go after dinner?

PS: I think U have to change your "Last time in Plakias" date

[Laurajane]

Hi Alex...I did enjoy the nightlife!...I love the way in Greece you get a mixture of all ages everywhere....everyone wants to have a good time! Ostraco's was probably my fave cause it was the liveliest! Wat about you?....where do you like?

[Alex_Kidd]

Hi Alex...I did enjoy the nightlife!...I love the way in Greece you get a mixture of all ages everywhere....everyone wants to have a good time! Ostraco's was probably my fave cause it was the liveliest! Wat about you?....where do you like?

ops! I forgot... Welcome back!  
   well... I've never been in Plakias since... next October! Or maybe last days of September...I have to decide!
I want to do about 2 weeks in Crete, but have still to book my flight...
Third time in Crete, so no tour operators for me! Then I'll rent a car and... go!  
First week probably in Matala, then Plakias.

Although I don't like discos too much, I'm looking for nice bars/locals to spend some after-dinner evenings (errr.. nights ok?!   ).. I like places with good music to listen while drinking some good cocktail.. (yes after the raki experience)  
Do you know if is it still alive the Hexagon?

I think I'll have very nice evenings in plakias, at the Ostraco and sorroundings  
I'm also tried to go to Rethymno (have u been?) for a crazy night (just to do something mad), hoping not to fall down to the gorge by travelling in Crete's "roads" at night...  
but I think it's quite a main road to Rethymno, so don't worry particolary about it...

Sorry for my english!
Bye, Alex  

[Laurajane]

so when was your last time in Plakias Alex?.....Im not sure about that Hexagon place...I don't remember seeing it. Nufaro's always had a cheap cockatil list outside but when I went in there they didn't have my mojito and couldn't make it for me....and after drinking that all the time the others are all too sweet!

They have a good cockatil list and very comfy seats in Platia at night time....the only thing I would say is that the DJ....although young, plays some really dodgy old music.....and I don't mind old music....but we are talking the really bad old compilations!......so have your cocktail and move on!

I think going to Rethymnon would be a good idea a night, one of the waiters tried to convince me to go with him on the saturday night and although it sounded great I declined cause I know what they are like....but yeah, if you are getting a car, and if you are going with mates you should go and explore! I have a whole booklet full of contact numbers for accommodation in Plakias if you want any of them.....I picked it up in the doctors surgery!

ciao for now!

[Mike G]

Also...like the English couple in the shop near Kostas...selling amazing dry white wine in water bottles!

That's Ali and Dave, Ali being a leading contributor to this forum.

Mike

[Laurajane]

Really?...I did think the guy was called Colin but I think I saw 2 different couples in there.

[Rowena & Carl]

Hi Alex...I did enjoy the nightlife!...I love the way in Greece you get a mixture of all ages everywhere....everyone wants to have a good time! Ostraco's was probably my fave cause it was the liveliest! Wat about you?....where do you like?

ops! I forgot... Welcome back!  
   well... I've never been in Plakias since... next October! Or maybe last days of September...I have to decide!
I want to do about 2 weeks in Crete, but have still to book my flight...
Third time in Crete, so no tour operators for me! Then I'll rent a car and... go!  
First week probably in Matala, then Plakias.

Although I don't like discos too much, I'm looking for nice bars/locals to spend some after-dinner evenings (errr.. nights ok?!   ).. I like places with good music to listen while drinking some good cocktail.. (yes after the raki experience)  
Do you know if is it still alive the Hexagon?

I think I'll have very nice evenings in plakias, at the Ostraco and sorroundings  
I'm also tried to go to Rethymno (have u been?) for a crazy night (just to do something mad), hoping not to fall down to the gorge by travelling in Crete's "roads" at night...  
but I think it's quite a main road to Rethymno, so don't worry particolary about it...

Sorry for my english!
Bye, Alex  

Hi Alex

We would definately recommend a night out in Rethymo. We normally stay there one night the best time to go is the nights the main shops stay open as it's really buzzing with Greek people ( and of coursr Tourists ) there are great bars & restaurants. I think I remember you saying that you were going with your girlfriend? If so Avli in Rethymo is perfect for a romantic meal it's a courtyard garden & serves the best food I've ever tasted in Crete it is fairly expensive but a meall for two with drinks is still good value compared to a meal of the same standard in England & worth it because of the setting. Also Vasilis bar behind the Rimoundi fountain is a great relaxing people watching place ask to speak to Vasilis if you go & tell him we recommended it Rowena & Carl with the Vespa from England & the Dobermann. Let me know if you want more info.

Rowena & Carl

Hi Alex...I did enjoy the nightlife!...I love the way in Greece you get a mixture of all ages everywhere....everyone wants to have a good time! Ostraco's was probably my fave cause it was the liveliest! Wat about you?....where do you like?

ops! I forgot... Welcome back!  
   well... I've never been in Plakias since... next October! Or maybe last days of September...I have to decide!
I want to do about 2 weeks in Crete, but have still to book my flight...
Third time in Crete, so no tour operators for me! Then I'll rent a car and... go!  
First week probably in Matala, then Plakias.

Although I don't like discos too much, I'm looking for nice bars/locals to spend some after-dinner evenings (errr.. nights ok?!   ).. I like places with good music to listen while drinking some good cocktail.. (yes after the raki experience)  
Do you know if is it still alive the Hexagon?

I think I'll have very nice evenings in plakias, at the Ostraco and sorroundings  
I'm also tried to go to Rethymno (have u been?) for a crazy night (just to do something mad), hoping not to fall down to the gorge by travelling in Crete's "roads" at night...  
but I think it's quite a main road to Rethymno, so don't worry particolary about it...

Sorry for my english!
Bye, Alex  

Hi Alex

We would definately recommend a night out in Rethymo. We normally stay there one night the best time to go is the nights the main shops stay open as it's really buzzing with Greek people ( and of coursr Tourists ) there are great bars & restaurants. I think I remember you saying that you were going with your girlfriend? If so Avli in Rethymo is perfect for a romantic meal it's a courtyard garden & serves the best food I've ever tasted in Crete it is fairly expensive but a meall for two with drinks is still good value compared to a meal of the same standard in England & worth it because of the setting. Also Vasilis bar behind the Rimoundi fountain is a great relaxing people watching place ask to speak to Vasilis if you go & tell him we recommended it Rowena & Carl with the Vespa from England & the Dobermann. Let me know if you want more info.

Rowena & Carl

[Alex_Kidd]

Thank you very much, Rowena & Carl... Yes, maybe I have one or two questions more for you:

We would definately recommend a night out in Rethymo. We normally stay there one night the best time to go is the nights the main shops stay open as it's really buzzing with Greek people ( and of coursr Tourists ) there are great bars & restaurants.

You mean that you rent a room for one night? Is it so scary the road from Plakias to Rethymno (and return) at night?  

I think I remember you saying that you were going with your girlfriend?

Yesss   my sweet girlfriend  
It's our third trip to Crete (last year we were in Rodhes). The first was in east part (Elounda, Agio Nicolaos... seen also Chrissi Island   )
The second time, 2 years ago, we went to the west side... Chania, Kissamos, Balos, Falasarna... and then down to the south-west: Elafonissi, Paleachora... I think very beautiful places, most of all Balos (we survived to the "road"   ) and then Elafonissi.

If so Avli in Rethymo is perfect for a romantic meal it's a courtyard garden & serves the best food I've ever tasted in Crete it is fairly expensive but a meall for two with drinks is still good value compared to a meal of the same standard in England & worth it because of the setting. Also Vasilis bar behind the Rimoundi fountain is a great relaxing people watching place

Thanks for the tips! But you've not mentioned Zisis, I've heard to be one of the very raccomended taverna and the "most famous" one... don't you know it?  

Although we like tipical "greek taverna" (no tourist, only cretain people at the tables...! you know what I mean   ), we also want to have a romantic meal one evening in Rethymno  , so, for that evening, don't mind too much about the prices.. the important is the atmosphere and the good quality of the place.

Obviously I mean the food quality with a beatiful place to look... that not always go together in Crete!
In fact, sometimes you see very beautiful places, but very low quality of the food... and you go to a very "poor" external aspect taverna but you have great delicious food! It's quite difficult to find both together  

ask to speak to Vasilis if you go & tell him we recommended it Rowena & Carl with the Vespa from England & the Dobermann.

If I do it, what will happen?  
(joking...! if I go, will be pleased to do it!)

Let me know if you want more info.

That's all! If, reading my answers, you find something useful that you could still tell me, do it!
Eg, some "only cretain people" taverna where eating good good food and spend little money, don't exitate to tell me  
sorry again for my english  
cheers, Alex

[Rowena & Carl]

Thank you very much, Rowena & Carl... Yes, maybe I have one or two questions more for you:

We would definately recommend a night out in Rethymo. We normally stay there one night the best time to go is the nights the main shops stay open as it's really buzzing with Greek people ( and of coursr Tourists ) there are great bars & restaurants.

You mean that you rent a room for one night? Is it so scary the road from Plakias to Rethymno (and return) at night?  

I think I remember you saying that you were going with your girlfriend?

Yesss   my sweet girlfriend  
It's our third trip to Crete (last year we were in Rodhes). The first was in east part (Elounda, Agio Nicolaos... seen also Chrissi Island   )
The second time, 2 years ago, we went to the west side... Chania, Kissamos, Balos, Falasarna... and then down to the south-west: Elafonissi, Paleachora... I think very beautiful places, most of all Balos (we survived to the "road"   ) and then Elafonissi.

Hi Alex

THe road from Plakias to Rethymno is not that scary we just like a whole night there & normally stay in a lovely venetian hotel but we have driven back late also & it's fine. I haven't heard of the other Restaurant but I tell you won't be disappointed with Avli they serve some traditional food & vey modern cuisine it's a very special place with alot of attention to detail.

Rowena & Carl  

If so Avli in Rethymo is perfect for a romantic meal it's a courtyard garden & serves the best food I've ever tasted in Crete it is fairly expensive but a meall for two with drinks is still good value compared to a meal of the same standard in England & worth it because of the setting. Also Vasilis bar behind the Rimoundi fountain is a great relaxing people watching place

Thanks for the tips! But you've not mentioned Zisis, I've heard to be one of the very raccomended taverna and the "most famous" one... don't you know it?  

Although we like tipical "greek taverna" (no tourist, only cretain people at the tables...! you know what I mean   ), we also want to have a romantic meal one evening in Rethymno  , so, for that evening, don't mind too much about the prices.. the important is the atmosphere and the good quality of the place.

Obviously I mean the food quality with a beatiful place to look... that not always go together in Crete!
In fact, sometimes you see very beautiful places, but very low quality of the food... and you go to a very "poor" external aspect taverna but you have great delicious food! It's quite difficult to find both together  

ask to speak to Vasilis if you go & tell him we recommended it Rowena & Carl with the Vespa from England & the Dobermann.

If I do it, what will happen?  
(joking...! if I go, will be pleased to do it!)

Let me know if you want more info.

That's all! If, reading my answers, you find something useful that you could still tell me, do it!
Eg, some "only cretain people" taverna where eating good good food and spend little money, don't exitate to tell me  
sorry again for my english  
cheers, Alex

[Alex_Kidd]

thanks again!
Maybe you have some problems with quoting    I fount it hard to find your answer inside that "jungle"  
-> try to edit your message and add some [/quote] BEFORE your answer... or simply cancel the unecessary text strings  
cheers,
Alex