Hotel Anniko

What do you think?

by clmbsb

We are off to Hersonissos for a week at the end of July and i am planning the sites we are going to see. We will be hiring a car for the 'out of the way' places and plan to use the public transport for the rest. Up to now our plans are:

Heraklion & Knossos via public bus. How long would you give to see Knossos and how much is entrance to the site. Can you buy guide books so you know what you are looking at?

Chania via public bus. Are there any must see things here and it is worth the trip from Hersonissos? Could we do something else that day?

Kato Zakros & Xerokambos via car. I have read that the beaches here are stunning and peaceful. We plan a nice drive along the coast via Agios Nikolaos & Sitia on the way there and back west along the south coast to Ierapetra then north back onto the same road we used on the way there.

Anogia, Nida Plateau & Ideon Caves via car. I hear the views up in the mountains are beautiful and well worth the trip.

We are also thinking of the Samaria Gorge but not sure which way is best, on our own or with a tour company. Does anyone know of travel agencies in Hersonissos running a trip, if so how much approx per person. I have looked at the ferry from Sfakia to Agia Roumeli (first one @ 10.30) and doing only part of the gorge as the last ferry back to Sfakia leaves @ 6pm. Allowing for ferry time we would have approx 6 hours in the gorge, so 3 hours in and 3 hours back. Is it still worth the effort and does anyone know the travel time by car from Hersonissos to Sfakia to catch the first ferry at 10.30?

Sorry its a long drawn out post but want to get as much info in as possible.

As we are only there for a week we want to see as much as possible but not run ourselves into the ground. If you have any other suggestions please let me know.

Thanks

Clare