My travel blog, based on my own experiences and opinions. Trying to give you neutral and unbiased travel advise.
I really need to keep reminding myself to work on my travel blog as well, it’s been over 2 weeks since my last post. Once my 50 runs are over I hope I have more opportunities to write for my travel blog.
My wife took a picture of me in Rethymno, whilst I check whether my picture came out right
In October 2017 my wife surprised us with a family holiday to Crete. We had been going through a difficult period where she was un-employed and I also had some struggles, so she decided that a week away at the end of the season would do us all well … she was right
MY WIFE WAS RIGHT!!!
Men! listen to your wifes! They usually mean it well for you and your family and they always have the best intentions in mind (even if the execution is not always perfect 😉). Listen to them and remember why you married her in the first place.
A little collage of some pictures I took with my iPhone whilst on holiday in Crete
- Category: Sun & Beach, History and Culture
- Recommended Length of Stay: Minimum 1 week, longer if you can
- Currency: Euro
- Timezone: GMT+2
- Perfect for: Sun & Beach, Adventure, History
- Target Group: Families, Couples, Romance, long holidays and quick breaks
I am the first to admit that I was against this idea. I don’t like S&B (Sun & Beach) holidays and Crete is really one of those places that besides S&B is also overrun with tourists. I can not lie still on a beach, it bores me and I like to be active, see things, meet people, smell fragrances, taste different flavours … be out there.
So when my wife first came with the suggestion, I was inwardly not happy about this. She knew this and told me that it would be good for the kids, the sand between their toes, swimming and just relaxing. Off course I went along with the idea.
The flight from Zurich to Heraklion is about 3 hours, so not that bad when you have to travel with children. The drive from the airport to our hotel, the Sea Side Resort & Spa near Agia Pelagia was about 20 minutes, so we arrived at a nice and reasonable time, just before lunch at our beautiful but remotely located hotel.
the 'Welcome-view' at our hotel
In the afternoon we went down to the beach to get our first feel of the Mediterranean water, although the kids liked it we found it very slippery on the rocks and not at all suitable for small children, who are just learning to swim. So we said to one another that we would look for other beaches in the vicinity with sand.
The next day we agreed that we would rent a car to discover the island more as we both didn’t want to be stuck in this hotel, secluded from the rest of the world. This was one of the best decisions we’d made, this gave us freedom and opened up the possibility to meet the locals, visit the villages and discover the history.
Me in Chania
Throughout the week that we stayed in Crete we visited Chania & Rethymno, we went swimming at Bali Beach, entertained the kids at the aquarium, climbed up to the Lasithi Plateau where they have the historical windmills and picturesque villages and also the cave where legend claims that Zeus was born. We met great, friendly, honest, hard-working people, tasted fantastic food, visited stunning historical sites and all this whilst travelling with 2 young children. Life doesn’t stop when you have kids, it begins when you have kids. You don’t have to make and major changes, but you do need to consider them.
Driving in Crete was very stressful as the people either don’t know the laws or they do everything possible to break them. So I had to be very careful and because of this I decided on the last day not to go out, so that I could also have 1 day of rest. The island is easy to navigate, however distances are huge and long due to the rocky surface of the island and be careful of short exits on the ‘motorways’.
The food was fantastic once you opt to go away from the touristic places. We loved the fresh olives and cheeses they served everywhere, the meat was fresh and tasty. We ate twice at the Greek restaurant in our hotel and they also have a fantastic Chinese restaurant on site, probably one of the best Chinese I’ve ever had.
Fantastic Chinese, a very tasty and succulent Duck
Our kids loved it as well, the sun, the beaches, the food and most of all the family being together. This is a holiday none of us will soon forget and I can highly recommend it.
Why should you visit Crete:
- Loads of history & culture, it’s quite easy to go off the beaten track and go to places less known to tourists
- If you love Sun & Beach it’s a fantastic destination with stunning beaches and plenty of possibilities. Loads of sun, very warm climate most of the year and friendly welcoming people
- Tasty, original & fresh food made by friendly, honest and hard-working people
- Variety in things to do from visiting historical sites to discovering rural and remote villages, hiking and swimming to being lazy on the beach or just being touristic in the cities, visit the sites and buy souvenirs
In short, I’ll let my wife decide on our holiday plans more in the future, as she knows best for all of us.
The old port of Chania
Shopping is always a possibility (no, that's not my wife)
Goodbye Crete ... until next time!
Let me know what you think, is there anything missing in my review? Do you have any questions or suggestions? I would love to hear them and I will reply to each of them and do my best to incorporate them where I can.
Doron
!steemitworldmap 35.41801296880985 lat 25.018787386533177 long Sea Side Resort & Spa, Agia Pelagia, Crete D3SCR
Hhh thanks for the advice ..And thanks for participating ..good work
Thank you.
You must've had a blast! Thanks for sharing your travel adventure. The three-hour flight might be too long for me though coz I live in an archipelago.
appropriate reply for the post
Yes, I do think that from Japan to Crete the journey is 'slightly' longer, but nonetheless, it's a beautiful destination. So if you ever happen to live in the vicinity, maybe something worth to consider.
On the other hand, I am dieing to visit Japan, you have such a beautiful country and traditions. Once the kids are bigger I will definitely come your way one day.
wow!! good!!!good!!! I want this place!!!
Thank you, it is really worth the visit!
Your adventure looks awesome! My kids name is Wolf so was of course drawn to "A Wolf's Journey"! Cheers my friend.
Thank you and fantastic name! My surname is Wolf, this is why 'a Wolf's Journey'.
Sun and beach is always a good way to relax. Nice vacation!
Thank you
photography is really amazing..📷. thanks for nice post...👍💪💯💯
Thank you very much! It’s amazing what you can do with an iPhone (and Samsung in my wife’s case).
@wolfje #WOW these are all Awesome Pics and love the way how you express the journey.
Look like professional photographer
I just followed you to see your more articles like this in the #Future
keep it up.
YOU JUST MADE MY DAY BUDDY
#BIG #LOVE #FROM #PAK.
Cheers :)
have a great day Dear :)
THANK YOU
Thank you for your support, it really means a lot and it keeps me going. Any recommendations, requests and remarks are welcome!
buddy always make quality content like this so we can entertain like your this one.
Cheers.
That looks like a fun trip. Will be adding Crete to my list of places now.
It is good you listen to your wife. They are definitely right when it comes to their family ;)
It was fantastic and really worth it. Do you have any trips coming up?
I had a fun time reading your blog! It was compact and easily structured making it a breeze to read!
I recently visited Greece and went to the islands, Mykonos, Santorini and Milos but your post made me realise I missed out on Crete!
I'm also into blogging about my travel adventures so if you're interested feel free to check mine out :)
P.S. Admiring your 50 run challenge! Following to see how you progress and thinking about doing something similar to have a healthy 2018 :)
Thank you very much! Your support keeps me going. This was our first time to Greece and really worth it. Do you have any recommendation or anything you feel that I missed out on? I really want my blogs to be useful for everyone.
I'll have a look at yout blog as well. It helps sharing ideas and tips, never hurts for our own journeys as well.
The 50 challenge is almost over, I'm now thinking about what to do next. I have a few ideas, so watch this space.
If you're visiting Santorini I highly suggest renting a quad bike because the drive across the cliff sides are amazing!
Yep take a look, I'm in the middle of finishing off my santorini and Milos trips so if you'd like can have a look at them.
Will do! Keen to see what else you post!
Santorini is on the agenda, but I think once the kids are a bit bigger. I heard that it goes steeply up and down over there and with their little unstable legs not the best destination yet. I do love the images I see though, so I do want to go there at some point.
i'm glad you visited my country! :) great travel post!
Thanks and feel free to tell me if you feel I missed anything. I am looking to improve my blogs to really make them useful for everyone. Part information, part review of my own journey.
Amazing place, thanks for sharing.
Food looks delicious, streets are full of life and the sunsets are gorgeous!
Thank you for your feedback. I can only recommend it. Please let me know if you feel I should add anything to my blog.
I am glad you enjoyed Crete. I was there a few years ago and loved it. I think Chania was my favorite there.
Thank you for reading my post. So you know the place, do you think I missed anything? Should I have covered something else as well?
There is a great little town about 30km south of Rethymno called Plakias that I really enjoyed. And from Crete it is easy to get to Santorini for a day or two!
I'll keep that in mind for next time. Travelling with kids isn't easy and crossing from one side to the other took time, so we opted not to do that this time. We were only there for a week. The same can be said of Santorini, we wanted to go there, but it would take a while by boat to get there, so we decided against it this time,
Nice post!
Thank you!
Cool, you should really keep this up!
I was visited Crete about 12 years ago and loved it.
By the way the last shot is super cool!
Thank you very much! Good to hear and I'll do my best and feedback is welcome.
great journey @wolfje
photography is awesome, your traveling is amazing.
Thanks, any questions or suggestions are always welcome
A wonderful place!The meal looks delicious.
I want to go:)
LOL, thanks! The Greek food was fantastic as well. I hope the read wasn't too long! Suggestions and questions are always welcome.
That's some journey @wolfje
Thanks bud!
Come to Berlin @wolfje, maybe football 😉 https://steemit.com/berlin/@dalexx/berlin-olympiastadium
That would be cool, maybe one day. Berlin is still on my bucketlist.
Sounds awesome !!! Took some nice pictures, cool post man ;)
Thank you very much and if you have any suggestions, please shout!
Great post Doron ,
Waiting to see more
Thanks, I just need to remind myself to keep posting these!
Ask from the wife to remind you....
LMAO, good point!
Wow what a great adventure!always been wanting to go there!
You should, you won't be disappointed.
I've been happily married for 7 years, I cannot agree more with this "Men! listen to your wifes! They usually mean it well for you and your family"
Inspirational!
LOL, thanks!
What beautiful pictures and what an amazing place! Thanks for taking me on your travels!
Your welcome. I have posted several more now and more to come, so watch this space. I just need to keep reminding myself to make posts about my trips.
very nice post!we want more from crete.
Thank you! Unfortunately I don't have anything else to say at this moment. Maybe next time if we go again, but we still have plenty of other islands to visit.
Dear sir. Thank you for promoting my country's beauties. I just learned about you from @katerinaramm 's post. Wish you all the best .
Resteem
Thank you. You have a lot to boast and I hope I will return soon.
What a fun trip! thanks for sharing your travel adventure! Should definitely let your wife decide more on your next family trip, she have good taste!
Thank you lol
I love windmills, and unique little villages - listening to the stories they have to tell, well, it enriches one's life ♦♦ And if the #kids are present, they get introduced to new cultures !
Like #history, too -- and I can tell u got a lot out of yr visit to #Crete. Enjoyed your thorough post very much !
For the Photos - the 4th/5th ones were the best ones (I felt) ♦♦ that hammock looks inviting.
WILL now follow ya.
Thank you very much. It was the holiday of a lifetime and we can only recommend it!
That's some journey @wolfje
Thank you.
Some beautiful pictures, nice family time. I also loved the view from your hotel.
Thank you!
I was in Crete in 2010. It was one of the best trips of my life. The Mediterranean ocean is so beautiful and my favorite :)
Yes, we definitely want to explore more of Greece now, but there are more nice places in the Med. Just have a look at my other travel-blogs
incredible photos if you like photographs do not miss my post
https://steemit.com/adventure/@jesusvmorales/venezuelan-beaches-on-the-araguenas-coasts
Thank you!
very impression your post, I really like, I want to like you what is its secret?
if you wish please visit my blog, i need your support .thank you https://steemit.com/@muliadi
Thanks, no secrets just passion.
What a awesome travel adventure! I really wanna go there too now hihi!
You should, you won't be disappointed.
Nice photos, I like your stories! :-)
Would you mind checking out also my profile?
Thank you. I'll have a look at your profile.
Hi @wolfje! I am so happy to have found your photos and from there this post and subsequently the post of your contest!
First of all, I need to mention that I found you through @steemitworldmap where I have just realized that there are only 2 images of my loved Crete. Yours :)
but this is about to change soon :)
I really hope you enjoyed your stay in Crete, it is an amazing island with lots to offer for holidays!
I will be checking your contest and invite more people to join, I have followed and look forward for your content :)
Bis bald!
@katerinaramm
Thank you very much for your kind words. Yes we loved Crete, it was so much more than we expected, like I mentioned in my post. I do hope to go back there again, but now that I have the taste for Greece there are more islands I'd love to visit as well. I'm not going to list them out of fear that I might miss one out 😉
As an expert, do you have anything to suggest to add, did I miss anything in my post?
My friend, you have spoken right!
You have written a great blog, but I do (as you correctly guessed) have a few comments to share : )
The category of Crete is not only Sun and Beach, it is so much more.. It is culture, it is religion, it is history, it is antiquities, it is mountain, it is extreme sports
Check out this photo of a highline moment of 2017 in Agiofaraggo here
You selected a beautiful location, Agia Pelagia and a very nice hotel : )
It is wonderful that you have found the time to explore Chania, Rethymno, Lassithi, the Aquarium …! People with 2 weeks stay do not always find the time to explore so much of the island. But there is so much more :) Always depending on what you want to do, what do you want to see?
Have you visited Heraklion? Did you manage to go to Knossos Palace?
Perhaps next time you can visit the west side, Elafonisi or Balos, with its pink sand
Maybe you would like to visit beautiful Elound and Plaka or Spinalonga islet
I love your photos, it is wonderful to travel with your family and get to know different places!
If your wife decides to visit Crete again, I will be happy to provide more recommendations and tips!
I will stay tuned for more of your adventures!
Take care and steem on!
@katerinaramm
p.s. I am not an expert, I just love my island and it is a pleasure to learn and provide more info about it :) <3
You are right, I have amended the category. We did not visit everything you mentioned as we either wanted to avoid larger crowds or thought it would be difficult to navigate with 2 small children. Then again, it's something to consider for a next time. We also visited some little villages and had a fantastic meal at Taverna Kares near Krasi.
I can perfectly relate with the children situation :)
Thank you for amending the category and it is good you left something for next time!
Nice of you to visit small villages, they usually have the best food when they are not touristic places :)
Have a happy weekend!
You too!
Wow, Crete is on my wishlist since I was in 5th grade. And now I am 23, I think it's time to go.
LMAO, it was never on mine, but I'm glad I went 😂 Let me know of you have any questions or want advice.
Well, I hope I'll need it as soon as possible! :) Thank you, I appreciate it :)
You live in a beautiful country as well. I hope I have a chance soon to visit it. I'll come to you if I have any questions in return 😉
Oh, can't wait for a croatian edition of your posts! :)
It might be a while, but I'll sure be in touch when I go. I heard so many nice things and I'm a Game of Thrones fan, so I'll have to visit at some point. LOL
In that case, Dubrovnik is the number one! :D There was GoT :)
Very useful and good post for those who like to travel.
I hope your post will appeal to many people who dream to go on a trip.
Thank you for your kind words. Do you have any suggestions to make this even better?
thanks for sharing this post I never imagined that creta was so beautiful I really imagine it was a week of relaxation, the photos are beautiful, I am Venezuelan and to go there it would be very expensive, I envy you friend God has blessed you congratulations for your post I follow you
Thank you for your kind words. I can imagine Crete is not around the corner for you, on the other hand the same can be said about the Carribean or South-America from my perspective. So you'll see less posts about that, because I haven't travelled there much or at all.
Photos look great, and yes the wifes are usually right :)
LOL, thanks!
Kinda hoped there was a lil wolf wearing a backpack when clicking on this....
LOL, there are actually 2 but I don't show my kids on social media.
Dear don't worry everything is perfect. Awesome view
Thanks
Greece is one of those countries that you fall in love with. Stone and olives somehow are a magical combination. I visited country twice and both times enjoyed it immensely. Great travel blog dear!
Thank you very much! Yeah, I hope we go back soon again. If you have any suggestions or questions feel free.
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really awesome to feel nature by near the heart of nature .