5 independent reviews for Western Crete cycling holiday
Reviews for Western Crete cycling holiday
Shaylee Peterson review 16 Oct 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The cycling route was phenomenal. Quiet mountain roads with not much traffic. The drivers were all very considerate and gave us lots of space. The accommodation on our 3rd night in Kefali was exceptional, and it was somewhere we wouldn't have thought to stay on our own. A small family run guest suite and restaurant tucked away in the mountains in a town of 70 people with a gorgeous view.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
We had trouble with the bikes. We were specifically told the road bikes would have panniers and racks but they did not, so we did not have a good way to carry anything with us on the trip. Also, bring your own tools as they did not provide all necessary tools to make adjustments on the bike and remove a wheel (to change the tire for instance). We had to buy our own multi-tool on the first day of cycling.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We certainly stayed at locally run hotels and ate at many family restaurants and used local business's. Our bags were moved by taxi, so there was still vehicles involved, but at least the taxi was split with 2 couples luggage.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Overall it was a great route, good accommodations and an excellent holiday. There were several hiccups along the way (issues with the bikes, missing tools/locks etc..., and one day the taxi didn't show up to transport our luggage), but Arcas was responsive and were were able fix most of the issues.Kevin Jones review 29 Sep 2021
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The landscape of Southwest Crete, the hospitality of the local people and the weather. The Aphrodite hotel in Kissamos was outstanding in everything. Janis the local representative who organised the bikes was helpful, enthusiastic and his equipment was of a very high standard.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If you do not want to cycle 40+ K up hill from Paleochoria in the midday heat you can catch a local boat to Elafonisi at 09:00 for 15 Euros. They will take bikes but book the night before. You can spend the day on the beach and then cycle 15+k to Irene’s tavern in the hills. Avoid the mass exodus of coaches from Elafonisis around 1500 - 17:00 because the road is narrow and the traffic make it dangerous. We had to rely on Google maps to navigate the cycle trips. It would be helpful to have much more detailed instructions for getting from place to place. There needs to be far greater detail about the routes, how to get the best out of the trips and ways to avoid hazards. This needs to be produced by someone who has actually done the journey and has local knowledge of this part of Crete.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
It helped provide some income for local people, and cycling is good for the environment. I can not see how this supported conservation.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We have done several similar trips with other companies, they were a similar price but the routes were far better worked out with meticulous attention to detail. The standard of accommodation was far better. Some of the hotels on this trip are good enough for people on a budget but I could have arranged better hotels using “Booking. Com” at similar prices. We actually looked. The hotel and breakfast in Paleochoria was particularly poor whereas the hotels in Kissamos and Rethymon were excellent.Heather Buckley review 3 Nov 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The cycling routes set on GPS meant that I was always on small side roads, never on highways. Despite the massive amount of elevation, biking Paleochora to Kefali to Elafonisi was totally worthwhile as a first day. Bonus windsurfing at Elafonisi beach!2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be proactive finding out whether your hotel *actually* offers breakfast and at what time, especially if traveling in the shoulder season.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. Promoted lower-impact way of seeing places (although bags were still moved by a car), and used a lot of small independent hotels. Panorama in Kefali village was a definite higlight.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Amazing. Would recommend to a similarly active cycling friend.Trevor York review 27 May 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Wild flowers by the roadside - unexpected. Breakfast at the Riverside Hotel in Georgioupoli. My wife getting to the top of the hills before me, relaxed and breathing due to the great decision to use an E-bike. Do it if you have reservations about the hills! Lovely people. Laminated luggage tags made by Maria at the Patrakis Seaview in Palaiochora. Whole house to ourselves in the mountain village of Kefali. Courtesy of Irene at the Panorama Apartments.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Think about two nights at Palaiochora. Cycle down from Omalos on the first day. Catch a bus back up the mountain early next morning and walk the Samaria gorge, finishing with a boat ride back to Palaiochora. If travelling in early 2019 then check out the roads - one on the way to Kissamos was washed out by the February storms and we had to find an alternative - which was easy to arrange and a pleasant ride. Also, check out the boat availability from Palaiochora to Elafonissi. Consider an E-bike if you have reservations about the hills.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Lots of involvement of local people : accommodation, cycle provision, restaurants, taxi drivers, ice cream vendors, .....4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very good. One or two small improvements could be made to make it excellent.Stephen Reynolds review 26 Sep 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Staying in the mountain village, Kefali (Inachoria). The accommodation was perfect (renovated local house with balcony). The hosts of Panarama where very welcoming and also ran a great Restaurant. Nice relaxed place to stay at the end of a days cycle.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
We did the 6 day cycle over 2 weeks, so allows you soak up some of the local sights on the rest day. Plenty of additional information provided Re circular cycles from the towns. On the rest day in Paleohora, we took the local 06:00 bus (€7) back to Omalos to walk the Samaria Gorge (€5). You end up in Ag Roumeli, where u can take the ferry back to Paleohora (€17). Great day out if you have your walking boots. The bike provided were perfect for the terrain, light hybrids (Trek) with 18 gears.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. Local hotels, bike rental and taxis to ship luggage.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Superb. Really enjoyed the cycling and didn’t encounter too much traffic on the back roads except when approaching the larger towns and beach resorts. I’d highly recommend taking 2 weeks if u have the time.Holiday Reviews
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