Crete and Santorini | FindPenguins

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Trip start
August 29, 2025
Crete and Santorini Traveler
Getting there! Home to Heraklion
August 30 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
Not really that much to report for the first two days!

After work on Friday we headed to Heathrow and after finding the car parking space in some back street on a drive, we walked the short distance to the hotel and checked in.

We headed out straight away for food at The Three Magpies, opposite the hotel for a very average meal. Back at the hotel we had a drink then back to the room.

The following morning we were in no rush so after a coffee in the room we went for breakfast. Checking out we caught a bus for the 15 mins ride to the airport and then checked in.

An hour or so in the lounge then boarding on time followed by a 40 air traffic control delay.

We eventually arrived in Crete about 40 mins late. After waiting for our bags for an age mine eventually came through but Ed's was nowhere to be seen. After the conveyor stopped we reported the missing bag to the ground staff who confirmed that they had a message from British Airways to say that the bag was still in London!

We caught a bus for the short distance to the apartment I had booked and then once we had got in, we headed straight out for a beer and some food. The area we were staying in was largely residential but we managed to find a few street bars just selling the road and I had the most enormous pork dish which I think may have been for two.Read more
TravelerAll sounds very positive apart from loss of eds bag. What happening about that,? Anyway you are always happy to share😂💙
9/2/25Reply
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Crete and Santorini Traveler
Heraklion to Chania
August 31 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
The apartment that we were staying in was really convenient for it airport, but this meant that it was also pretty noisy as it was right under the flight path at the end of the runway so every so often a plane took off overhead!

We decided to find breakfast before sorting anything out and so wandered along the road and found a lovely cafe where we had food and a coffee. Back to the apartment and I picked up my things and then jogged back to the airport to collect the car.

Back to the apartment and after a shower we shut up the apartment and packed the car. Our destination was Chania, about 2 hours away, but we took our time and had a couple of stops on the way.

Our first stop was at a little place called Bali but it was a bit commercialised and, besides, we couldn't find anywhere to park so we carried on shopping the coast. We pulled off the road to a small seaside resort called Panormos and had a quick drink before carrying on.

About 45 minutes later we stopped at another little village, this time a bit inland called Vryses where we had a club sandwich in a little taverna.

From here it was just 30 minutes to Chania and here we found the car park for the 5 minute walk to the accommodation, Domus Fresco is situated overlooking the old inner harbour which is lined with restaurants and bars and had a real bustling vibe to it. Our room, which is beautiful, overlooks the harbour.

We didn't spend long in the room however and soon headed downstairs to the attached restaurant for a few beers. After this we had a wander along to the fortifications overlooking the lighthouse. Unfortunately, because it was a bit breezy, or evening boat trip was cancelled and so we headed back to the restaurant for a free cocktail which we had on the balcony watching as it got darker.

Once finished we headed out to find somewhere to eat and had a few more drinks before going home for bed!Read more
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Crete and Santorini Traveler
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Chania
September 1 in Greece ⋅ 🌬 28 °C
I slept well last night and didn't wait until after 8:00. After a coffee in the room I went for a run and by the time I came back Ed was at and showered.

After I'd cooled down a bit and had a shower we headed downstairs for a lovely breakfast overlooking the harbour.

There was still no update on Ed's bag although we were expecting it to be arriving in the morning. We decided that we would take a short drive along to a place about 2 miles away called Halepa where the archaeological museum of Crete is located. We spent about an hour wandering around the exhibits... Lots of pots and other artefacts!

We also drove through a street on the way back where there are old tanneries. Once we each parked up we headed back to the hotel and reassessed our position given that the bag had still not arrived.

After a quick beer stop we took a short walk around the old town, still waiting for news on the bag. Eventually at around 2:00 p.m. we were told that the delivery service was close and so we met a man in a van on the street corner where Ed was reunited with his bag!

After Ed had got himself sorted we went for a wander, first along the harbour and around to walk along the narrow strip of land is where the lighthouse is. The walkway above was much narrower and rather precarious but we made it to the lighthouse and we're able to see the view back towards the harbour area.

We retraced our steps to the old harbour and had a beer and considered our next move. From here we went and walked around the old city having drapes on the way for a drink overlooking the harbour and then back to our room or a shower and refresh whilst having a glass of rose overlooking the sunset.

We decided not to stray far this evening and had food at Lithos, the restaurant below our room. We then spent time just sitting on the balcony watching the crowds, playing cards before it was time for bed.Read more
Traveler Lovely old buildings, blue sky and sea and a number of glasses - perfect. Glad Ed reunited with his big 🤔
9/3/25Reply
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Crete and Santorini Traveler
Chania to Reythemno
September 2 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
Another fairly lazy start and after a coffee I went for a run before coming back and getting ourselves sorted to check out.

We had breakfast downstairs first and ended up leaving just at 11:00 a.m. for the walk back to the car. Having packed the car we drove around the city until we came back to the place with the maritime museum. We parked up and headed inside to see the boat that was built for the 2004 Olympics where 22 oarsmen rode all the way from Crete to Athens in time for the opening ceremony. The boat is a replica of an old style Greek boat.

This was just a short stop and then we hopped back in the car to drive about an hour and 15 minutes to Rethymno, our stop for the next two nights.

We arrived shortly before 1:00 p.m. And found somewhere to park the car. This is another place where our accommodation is in a pedestrianised area and so we've had to leave the car outside of the main city. We grabbed a beer and then walked up to the old Venetian fort. Apparently it's the largest Venetian fort in the world. It was baking hot and we wandered around the inside of the fort looking at the various buildings that are still standing.

It was now almost 3:00 p.m. meaning that we could now check in. We walked back to the car to get our bags and then made the short 8 minute but very sweaty walk to the hotel. Despite the lack of parking the hotel is perfectly situated in the old town with lots of narrow streets and next door to the old mosque.

After cooling down we spent a couple of hours wandering the streets with a couple of refreshment stops and a club sandwich in a bar on the sea front called Chaplin's.

Our main evening activity was a pirate ship sunset sail and so we walked to the port to get aboard for 7pm. The cruise took us out of the harbour and have great views of the sunset and the old fort.

By 8.30pm we were back and we returned to the hotel for a quick shower before a couple of drinks in some nearby bars and an early-ish night for an early start on Wednesday!Read more
TravelerSounds lovely and relaxing. Enjoy💙💙
9/3/25Reply
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Crete and Santorini Traveler
1 1
Reythemno
September 3 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Today was a day trip and Safari tour of the island or at least the bit that we could reach from here.

Early we had an early start with a 6:00 a.m. alarm and then went to meet our driver having some snacky breakfast on the way

Our driver, Nikarios picked us up at about 8:00 and along with couple of German girls we headed off to pick a final couple up along the roads towards Chania.

From here our first stop after about 15 minutes was Kournas Lake, a freshwater lake and one of five large lakes in Crete. For driver explained that the lake was quite a lot lower than normal because of the dry weather. There were plenty of paddle boats around the lake and it's clear that lots of people go there for the day to spend time messing around on the water.

We continue climbing from Kournas to a village called Agriopoulis. Here we were told there were five tavernas although when we arrived just after 9:30 it all seemed very quiet. Our driver showed us a video of what it was going to be like in a couple of hours and it looked very different with people driving up from the coast for food cooked on Cretan BBQs.

From here we continued our climb and then went off-road for about 15 km with hairpin bends dusty landscape and some very steep drops. Thankfully our driver was very capable and we survived without incident.

Back on the tarmac and it was now time for the beach. By now we were in the south of the island and the next stop due south was Libya. We arrived just before midday and I had a swim and then we had a beer overlooking the beach before having lunch with the rest of our party served at beach side taverna. Greek salad, tzatziki, pork chicken and bread were served along with a small beer.

After some more time relaxing we started the journey back up on tarmac roads this time but a very windy switchback road across the mountain and back down to the north of the island. I was surprised to hear that the tallest mountains in Crete are over 2,400 m and have snow on in winter.

Before we were dropped back into Reythemno, we had one final stop at an olive oil factory where we saw how they produce olive oil.

We arrived back into Reythemno for around 415 and headed back to our room stopping at a gelato place on the way which we ate on the balcony.

Next we decided to have a look at the beach so we walked about 20 minutes through the alleyways and along the coast till we got to the beach area. Here we had a beer before walking back to the main area and having a drink.

Back to the room for a shower and then we ate in a little taverna a few doors down from the hotel before an early night after a final drink at a local place.Read more
Traveler Nice picture of the blues brothers😂
9/3/25Reply
Traveler Hmmm🤗
9/3/25Reply
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Crete and Santorini Traveler
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Rethymno to Heraklion
September 4 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
So today was the last drive that we would do in Crete before catching the ferry tomorrow to Santorini.

After a morning run and getting ready we walked a very short distance to a small little cafe called Stella's where we had breakfast.

Back to the apartments and finalising our packing before another warm walk this time back to the car through the narrow streets of the town.

We drove from here to Heraklion. To check into the hotel we left our bags and then I took the car back to the airport while Ed found a quiet bar. After a quick drink we spent some time wandering around the old part of Heraklion, visiting the port, the old Venetian ship building workshops.

We also saw the old city walls and St George's gate which isn't actually gate at all! The old parts are very pretty but the rest of Heraklion seems to be quite industrial, sadly a bit dirty and with lots of graffiti that hasn't been removed.

It was a time now for us to be able to check in so we walked back to the hotel and found our room and then had a quick drink in their rooftop bar overlooking the port.

We headed back out for another little walk to see a couple of old fountains which sadly were not running and another drink in a street cafe.

Back at the hotel and after a shower he had dinner in the restaurant, a lovely three-course meal which left us both stuffed. Following this we had a short rest in the room for one final look for a last drink and an early night ready for our early morning ferry on Friday.Read more
Traveler Photos all look very picturesque. Enjoy Santorini 🙋
9/5/25Reply
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Crete and Santorini Traveler
1 2 1
Crete to Santorini
September 5 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
So we were up at 6:00 a.m. for a coffee and then after getting ready we walked the 10 minutes to the port to catch the ferry to Santorini.

By 10:00 a.m. after uneventful trip or base a little bit late we arrived in the port and disembarked. There were plenty of buses waiting and so we hopped on a local bus to Fira. Here we walked the uphill through the lanes journey to our hotel and arrived a bit sweaty but fortunately we're allowed to check in early.

After a quick sort out we had a wander around and by now it was time for a drink in a rooftop bar.

After this back to the hotel and we got ready for the walk from Fira to Oia. I've got to be honest I thought it was going to be shorter and less hilly but we made the trip nonetheless with some amazing views of the caldera and a shortstop halfway around for a refreshing beer in a very unassuming roadside place.

We walked on up and over another big hill passing a couple of chapels on the way and arriving in Oia eventually. The phrase mad dogs and Englishmen came to mind given how hot it was.

After a drink to refresh ourselves we caught the bus back to Fira and then walked back to the hotel. Quick turn around and waiting for the sunset over the caldera had a couple of drinks in a couple of bars before coming back to the hotel for the final act with the sun setting over the island opposite.

After sunset and a shower we walked a short distance to a rooftop restaurant where we had a lovely last evening meal in Greece for this trip. Finally back to the hotel for a drink on the veranda overlooking the caldera.Read more
Traveler Definitely the place for a drink
9/8/25Reply
Traveler What a perfect setting, shall I say for two perfect young men😂
9/8/25Reply
Traveler Such fabulous sunsets 🥰
9/8/25Reply
Traveler 🤣
9/8/25Reply
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Crete and Santorini Traveler
Santorini and home 😢
September 6 in Greece ⋅ 🌬 25 °C
We had a fairly lazy start this morning and after waking up and having breakfast overlooking the caldera, we checked out and had a taxi the short distance to the centre of Fira, where we were to start our last tour of the holiday which was a wine tour of three vineyards on the island.

The tour took us to three different types of winery with the first being reputedly the oldest on the island where we heard that the grape varieties have been DNA matched to be the oldest varieties in the world. The second winery had a small museum and the third winery was much higher up and had views over both sides of the island.

The tour finished three and we then caught a public bus for the 15-minute transfer to the airport where we checked in.

Our flight was uneventful and both our bags arrived safely in London. We were staying overnight at a hotel near the airport and we were both pretty shattered so we had an early night.

In the morning after breakfast we collected the car and headed back down the M4 to home.Read more
TravelerUnbelievable benefits 🍷😂
9/11/25Reply
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Trip end
September 7, 2025