So what of the itinerary itself?  Well prior to our departure, the flights had been changed from Chania to Heraklion which meant after we ate on arrival, we had a two hour transfer to our hotel in Chania.  We weren't thrilled about this - but don't worry, next year's departures are to Chania which will mean a transfer of around 30 minutes.  What we lost on the way there, we more than made up for on the way back - on the last day, we left the hotel after lunch and went up the old mountain road to the tiny village of Drossia.  Quite simply, the mountain scenery and coastal views were some of the most stunning I have ever seen.  So a big "well done" to JY for making the best out of a frustrating flight situation and giving us a marvellous last day. The included excursions were very enjoyable, especially the trip to the monastery on the Akrotiri peninsula, which was fascinating and we enjoyed more lovely views on the coach.  I missed the optional excursion to Knossos and Heraklion as I wasn't well that day, but the others found it interesting.  Our local guide Effie was very good.  Even if you decide to have a quiet day, it is so relaxing to sit at one of the tables outside the hotel and people watch, as you enjoy the view of the harbour and lighthouse.  The hotel bar was very good.  One thing that I didn't expect is that it is perfectly safe to drink the water there, as it comes down from the mountains and is very pure.  

I am sure that my fellow travellers will have various comments to add, but if you have any questions please do ask.  If you are looking for a holiday that combines interesting excursions with just the right amount of free time, with a great hotel, lovely scenery and terrific food, then this tour to Crete is for you!  Thoroughly recommended...

All the best,

Bob

Well, that for sure sounds like a great holiday, views and food my kind of tour. Glad all went well for you all, Inhave seen Elaine's photos on Facebook and as you say stunning scenery, the sunset pictures are amazing.

So where to next for you?

Cindy

Glad you had such a great time and thanks for the usual excellent review.  I will certainly add this to my list.

Best wishes

Chris

I agree with you totally.  This was a fabulous holiday, and whilst I wasn't sure if there would be too much free time (for me) I really had a great time.  So much so, that a lot of the group felt that the holiday would be even more perfect, if JY were to add two additional days to the holiday with no excursions.

To add a little more to what Bob said,  the Porto Veneziano hotel, is one of the nicest and cleanest hotels I have ever stayed in.  The rooms all had air-conditioning, hairdryers, tea/coffee making facilities and a fully stocked fridge.  The staff at the hotel were friendly and fun, and nothing was too much trouble for them.  

All the excursions were worth doing, however my favorite day was our visit to the White (Julie) Mountains and the Botanical Park and Gardens of Crete.  The garden really was amazing and I would have loved, if there had been more time, to do the whole garden walk.  Equally, the Greek night, was also held here and it was so much fun.

Lastly, if you are lucky enough to go on this trip and you eat in the Salis Restaurant, I would highly recommend the Namelaka dessert, it is a caramelized white chocolate dessert on a pistachio crumble with a Mango coulis and it is to die for.

Kezzer

Ann

Thanks for writing the terrific review.

Katy

You can take the blame for causing me to add Crete to my bucket list.Like you I thought it was more of a beach holiday and I did not want to chance food poisoning after my attempt at cooking!. Thanks for a good review. I did not realize the scenery was dramatic.

Peter

all the best see you at LHR for Chile

Dave

I loved the hotel, excellent, wide ranging, breakfast food, friendly and helpful staff, and really good rooms with the best shower I have had anywhere.  The small garden at the back of the bar is a lovely place to chill out.

Chania itself is lovely.  Lively with a wide range of places to eat, and many, many choices of shops.  There is a town beach which I didn't get down to, but I did spend a few hours at Golden Beach which was a short taxi or local bus ride away.  Beautiful soft sand, and the water was like being in a bath.  So warm and clear with small fish very close to the shoreline. 

I enjoyed the excursions I did manage to go on, although humidity on one day floored me for going to the White Mountains which I had pre booked.  Fortunately we returned there at night for the Cretan evening which was so much fun.  It was (because of the wind), like sitting in a fan oven at times though, with giant moths circling around!

The cookery lesson was great fun, with wonderful food.  My favourite excursion was to the monastery (lots of cats 🙂 ) with an excellent wine tasting.  I was personally very pleased as we stopped off en route to the Allied War Memorial at Souda Bay, which is in a beautiful location and so poignant.  I hope that JY continue to include this as part of the trip on that day. 

On the last full evening Lorenza our TM took a few of us into Chania for Cretan fast food.  It was GREAT!!  Thank you Lorenza.  :)

We were lucky enough to have awesome weather all week, although the humidity on one day was a bit much.  Great fun when it got very windy towards the end of the holiday though.

Would I go back?  Like a shot!  The bug bear was the late flight in, and certainly on the return.  We had a slight delay both way, and Gatwick at midnight is no fun.  BA continues to be NOT my favourite airline, and if JY can continue to offer a Heathrow departure as an alternative I would certainly consider it.  I love the Cretan people, and the hotel is superb.

Thank you for your interesting reviews and comments. I'm pleased you all had such a wonderful time in Crete. If only my 'to visit' list wasn't so long I would be adding this tour to it!

Lesley

One day we took the semi submersible submarine for a trip around the bay, which was enjoyable although we didn't see a huge number of fish.  On the last morning we had planned to take the glass bottomed boat, but as it was a bit windy and the sea was choppy, we chickened out!  I can't emphasise enough how enjoyable it was to sit at one of the tables outside the hotel, having a coffee or a beer and watching the world go by and all the activity around the harbour.  The group were friendly and sociable.  I nearly forgot, on a couple of occasions, we were lucky enough to see Harry the sea turtle swim right up to the harbour wall - he is a local celebrity!!

All the best,

Bob

I am SO tempted to book the 2nd May departure from Heathrow.  If only there was some guarantee that it WOULD run from Heathrow and not Gatwick, and to Chania.  Amy.  Any idea when this might become a firm flight please? 

Yes.  I want to go back that much.  😃

Unless BA change our contracted flights from London Heathrow to Chania, this will remain the same.

Kind Regards,

Amy

Crete sounds great, thank you for your good review as usual.

The island is now firmly on  a European bucket list for me.

Hi Bosuncat

Pleased to hear that you had such a good time in Crete. 

I will be thinking about going there in May, so could possibly cross paths with you again.

Best wishes

Di

I read all your comments & reviews with interest. You have such a long "To Travel To " list that I hope you live to about 150!!! Just joking. I am Sooooo glad that you enjoyed Crete....a truly Greek island, though large & therefore what people might not expect. Hania ( & let's get this correct...it is pronounced Han-Ya, with the emphasis on the 2nd syllable, & not Harr-Ni-Ar  as my brother has rendered it to me) is a great spot. You may be interested to know that a few years ago all the local businesses decided to work in cooperation rather than each trying to undercut/overprice the other, so there is not a massive difference, in terms of cost, as to where you eat. But you really got the Greek mood, Bob, of just sitting & watching the world go by you. In Greece it is quite acceptable to sit all day over just a beer or coffee....no-one will hustle you out. Having said that, with the massive unemployment we have here, that is the main form of "entertainment" for many of our youth. But I had to smile about you commenting on the fact that the water is potable. We are actually not, quite, a 3rd world country here & in most parts of Greece the water is perfectly safe to drink......& hasn't passed through about 8 other bodies before it gets to you!! One needs to drink lots of water in our climate. Invariably you'll get a bottle placed on your table, even if you never asked for it. This, in a way, has replaced the cover charge that used to be put on bread. Bottled water prices are controlled in Greece so that, even at an airport, they cannot charge more than 0.50 euro per 500 ml, but expect the taverna price to be about 2 to 2.5 euro per 1.5 litres. As I said, this is almost like a cover charge but feel free to ask just for a jug of iced tap water. On the other hand, let's not get extremely mean. Youth unemployment is running at around 60% or more so your waiter may well have  a Ph.D. but be struggling on a wage of 500-600 euro per month if he is lucky. Therefore I urge you to tip generously if you feel you have had good service... every euro will be gratefully accepted & can make a big difference to the recipient's life. Greetings from Greece. Sheila.

Good Morning Bosuncat,

Unless BA change our contracted flights from London Heathrow to Chania, this will remain the same.

Kind Regards,

Amy

Thanks Amy.

Many thanks for your insightful comments - and yes I was careful to pronounce Chania as Han-ya once this was clarified to us by our wonderful local guide Effie!  We were all delighted with the friendly service we received and I would like to think that we all tipped generously.  Effie didn't offer much commentary on the current economic situation but was happy to talk about it if asked - and I did.  In Ireland we have suffered quite a lot through austerity and the recession but nothing like what has happened to the poor people of Greece.  It says a lot about them that their propensity to be generous and cheerful does not seem to have been affected much by their diminished circumstances.  I would like to do the Athens tour in a few years (if it is still running), but as you say - so many places on the wish list I do hope I will be travelling for a good few years to come!

All the best,

Bob

Good Morning Bosuncat,

Unless BA change our contracted flights from London Heathrow to Chania, this will remain the same.

Kind Regards,

Amy

Just curious but what's the huge difference between Gatwick & Heathrow? They're not that far apart and travel links between them are ok.

Obviously one or the other may be a bit more convenient to some people but hey, that's travel for you!

Sue

Hi Bob,

Crete sounds great, thank you for your good review as usual.

The island is now firmly on  a European bucket list for me.

Hi Bosuncat

Pleased to hear that you had such a good time in Crete. 

I will be thinking about going there in May, so could possibly cross paths with you again.

Best wishes

Di

That would have been great Di.  Sadly, the cattery of choice for the cats is already fully booked for that date so I shall have to miss Crete next year.  :s