Protaras, Cyprus vs Rethymnon, Crete
Discussion
Hi all,
Looking to go away with the Mrs for a week around the start of Sept (after school holidays have finished...) and are weighing up these 2 places.
Just looking to pick the brains of anyone who's been to one / both and fancy sharing any thoughts / recommendations?
We're both mid 30s, and I guess we're after somewhere with some decent things to see / do in the day (probably hire a car and do some sightseeing / walking at some point), and then nice restaurants / bars at night. Certainly not interested in a Malia / Aiya Napa type place, but also don't want somewhere really quiet and family orientated....
Should add we'd be sorting flights / booking an apartment ourselves, not too interested in all inclusive type places..
Si
Looking to go away with the Mrs for a week around the start of Sept (after school holidays have finished...) and are weighing up these 2 places.
Just looking to pick the brains of anyone who's been to one / both and fancy sharing any thoughts / recommendations?
We're both mid 30s, and I guess we're after somewhere with some decent things to see / do in the day (probably hire a car and do some sightseeing / walking at some point), and then nice restaurants / bars at night. Certainly not interested in a Malia / Aiya Napa type place, but also don't want somewhere really quiet and family orientated....
Should add we'd be sorting flights / booking an apartment ourselves, not too interested in all inclusive type places..
Si
I went to Protaras a long time ago, in June 2003. It was a quiet resort, nice beach (albeit it burnt your feet in the summer), couple of bars with karaoke.
The best thing I recall was the snorkelling, just off the main beach, lots of fish and clear water. Also went on a snorkelling boat trip along the coast where you jumped off the boat and had a swim amongst a large volume of fish.
We hired a car for a day and drove round the island but, even in June, it was like being in a hair salon on a hot day, the wind was very hot indeed (we had a Suzuki SJ with no roof, hired in resort). Just watch the Turkish border we almost drove through until soldiers ran into the road.
Scenery was OK, similar to the Canaries, I suppose.
I liked the week there but haven't rushed to go back as I prefer the Canaries and Spain, personally. Never been to Crete.
The best thing I recall was the snorkelling, just off the main beach, lots of fish and clear water. Also went on a snorkelling boat trip along the coast where you jumped off the boat and had a swim amongst a large volume of fish.
We hired a car for a day and drove round the island but, even in June, it was like being in a hair salon on a hot day, the wind was very hot indeed (we had a Suzuki SJ with no roof, hired in resort). Just watch the Turkish border we almost drove through until soldiers ran into the road.
Scenery was OK, similar to the Canaries, I suppose.
I liked the week there but haven't rushed to go back as I prefer the Canaries and Spain, personally. Never been to Crete.
I have been to Rethymnon Crete, but not Protaras.
We went there early October last year, and it was one of the best holidays i have been on. A mixture of the fact i really like the Greek islands, the hotel we stayed and just how happy and relaxed in general we both were.
We did a few things while we were there, went on a 4x4 tour of the island over the mountains and down to some secluded beach where the fresh water from the mountains meets the salt water from the sea.... very odd sensation when out swimming.
We hired a car and bombed around the island a bit, went to the far south west of the island, pink sands, and a beach that is as good as any carribean island i have been to. (ill find the name if you are interested)
Did a museum and checked out the anceint temple from civilisations that are long gone.
I really liked it, and would go back again for sure.
We went there early October last year, and it was one of the best holidays i have been on. A mixture of the fact i really like the Greek islands, the hotel we stayed and just how happy and relaxed in general we both were.
We did a few things while we were there, went on a 4x4 tour of the island over the mountains and down to some secluded beach where the fresh water from the mountains meets the salt water from the sea.... very odd sensation when out swimming.
We hired a car and bombed around the island a bit, went to the far south west of the island, pink sands, and a beach that is as good as any carribean island i have been to. (ill find the name if you are interested)
Did a museum and checked out the anceint temple from civilisations that are long gone.
I really liked it, and would go back again for sure.
Thanks for the replies guys. I think so far Crete is sounding favourite, it looks as though Rethymnon town would be quite interesting to explore with the old Venetian buildings etc, whereas Protaras looks more of a typical 'holiday resort' type of place.
shibby!, that would be great if you can remember the name of the beach, will be a definite winner when trying to convince the mrs too book this one if I can flash some pics of an amazing beach!
Cheers, Si
shibby!, that would be great if you can remember the name of the beach, will be a definite winner when trying to convince the mrs too book this one if I can flash some pics of an amazing beach!
Cheers, Si
You'll have fun, wherever you go.
Rythymnon has a whole bunch of really nice cocktail bars at the front at the beach.... the ones at the Venetian port are expensive and a bit rubbish.. as you walk away from the port along the front of the beach they get better. We went at the start of October so was quiet, we sat there all afternoon getting cocktails and banana splits watching the sun go down.
Found it!
Elafonisi beach, google images brings up some wicked pictures of it
Enjoy the holiday.
Rythymnon has a whole bunch of really nice cocktail bars at the front at the beach.... the ones at the Venetian port are expensive and a bit rubbish.. as you walk away from the port along the front of the beach they get better. We went at the start of October so was quiet, we sat there all afternoon getting cocktails and banana splits watching the sun go down.
Found it!
Elafonisi beach, google images brings up some wicked pictures of it
Enjoy the holiday.
I went to Protaras in 2010. Decent strip of restaurants and bars, not wild at all and a nice beach.
Hired a car for a day - went to the Famagusta viewpoint, into Nicosia for lunch and shopping, then a great drive up through the Troodos hills, some great roads!
Then back via Agia Napa and Fig Tree Bay at sunset.
Couldn't recommend it enough.
Hired a car for a day - went to the Famagusta viewpoint, into Nicosia for lunch and shopping, then a great drive up through the Troodos hills, some great roads!
Then back via Agia Napa and Fig Tree Bay at sunset.
Couldn't recommend it enough.
I'd recommend Cyprus. With a hire car, plenty to see, though that depends how far you want to drive (especially if only going for a week). Do check out Cape Greco though, very close to Protaras. Otherwise, there are ancient theatres and trips to the mountains to consider (but going to be a far journey with a decent amount of driving).
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