Going to Crete for a week--any suggestions?

[johnsemlak]

Tomorrow I'm going to the isle of Crete for one week, my first time in Greece despite a childhood love of the country's history.

Any suggestions on what to do?

Unfortunately I havne't spent much time planning it and other than the ruins of the Labyrinth at Knossos and the museum there and related stuff I haven't decided on any must sees.

 

[Ao the Overkitty]

Definately spend time in Heraklion. I fell in love with with this city when I was there. Lots of sites to see. The museum is very nice. You get a great view from Kazantzaki's tomb. The view of the sunset from the fortifications on the waterfront is beautiful.

Knossos is a definate visit, of course, but there are lots of little archaeological sites scattered around the area. It's been since January 2001 since I've been there, so I can't tell you exactly what is being excavated at the moment. Ask the information desk at the museum if they can direct you towards any.

I wasn't impressed with Sitia, but there were a couple of sites around that area that were nice.

I've got lots of tourist books from Crete. I'll have to look up specific stuff a little later.

 

[Ao the Overkitty]

Okay. Here are the Archaeological sites I visited during my 11 days in Crete. I'm just copying down the name plates off of maps I have. Incidently, these maps make great little plans for D&D towns and dungeons.

Knossos
Lato
Gournia
Zou Seteais - Hausreste
Achladia - HausgrundriB
Phaistos
Agia Triada
Palaikastro
Zakro
Vthypetro
Mount Juktas
Archanes-Phourni cemetery

Now, I hiked up Juktas. There is a road to drive up, but I like to hike. The site up there is a bunch of rocks behind a fence. The view, however, is beautiful. You can see all of Heraklion and back towards the birhtplace of Zeus. I loved the sunset from up there. There is also a monestary or church up there, but we didn't go in (guided tour by one of my Archaeology professors).

Unfortunately, I can't remember which site was which anymore, but I can tell you the larger sites are rather neat. The town of Gournia was rather nice. Phaistos, Zakro, and Palaikastro were enjoyable as well. Of course, they were all enjoyable, but those were the larger ones.

Hmm.. I so want to go back there. When I saw Crete, I immediately thought, "This would be a beautiful place to retire. But I'm silly that way.

 

[Crothian]

If you find the minotaur...run.

Otherwise I have no idea having never been to the country. However, allow me to express my envy and wish you a great trip.

Oh, and you have to say "It's all Greek to me" a lot

 

[Ao the Overkitty]

Okay, I'm a geek, but I have a sweatshirt that says that in Greek, Crothian.

And I never saw a Minotaur, but maybe he was hiding from the tourist swarms. Those things are nasty, after all. Worse thean Hellwasp swarms. They blind you with cameras and stampede.

 

[Hand of Evil]

Take lots of pictures. Maps and floorplans, tourist stuff mosty but can be useful in your games.

 

[Ao the Overkitty]

Oh yeah. I've got lots of ammo for adventures in the form of photos and guidebooks for when I run an Ancient Greece campaign. And make sure you keep a little book that catalogs what each picture your taking is of. I made the mistake of not doing that for my first trip, so I have to guess on everything.

 

[blackshirt5]

Spend time around a nice Greek Girl.