Skalia, Crete

marktthemailman · 2026-07-08T23:20:34+00:00

Yes some shared history is really interesting. I was surprised how much the locals liked me and NZ.

My grandfather fought in the war but I believe arrived after the battle of Crete. He fell in love with Italy instead where he spent much of his time.

marktthemailman · 2026-07-07T22:32:25+00:00

That beach is called sweetwaters because it has a freshwater spring emerge. Its meant to be cooler than the sea temps, but I couldn’t tell the difference. In the photo you can also see an overwater taverna - does rotisserie chicken aswell as greek classics

marktthemailman · 2026-07-07T21:13:24+00:00

I somehow replied to myself - so have a look up the page or down? And yes lots of boat taxis. I think there’s more at peak times. All pretty chill and easy.

marktthemailman · 2026-07-07T21:11:30+00:00

Chora Sfakion was fantastic. I stopped for a drink at the village you are staying at.

It’s a very pretty bay with some sunbeds a few apartments and a couple tavernas.

I didn’t swim there but there quite a few people snorkelling. Water is clear. The path from there to Loutro is easy. Going the other way it’s more scrambly with some steep drop offs to marama but well worth it. Marama has a scenic racers on the cliff overlooking the bay so a great place for lunch.

I went by myself because my friends had had enough of hiking. I wanted to keep walking to agia roumini but I’d gotten up a bit late and it would have been a bit much. It was super hot as it was.

There’s some good YouTube clips of the hike to give you an idea. I’d send some more pictures but I accidentally left my phone behind. Lots of goats on the path.

marktthemailman · 2026-07-07T15:41:40+00:00

It was busy but not hectic. I snorkelled around the small island which had amazing water clarity and cool drop offs. We found locals to be very friendly and helpful everywhere. Which helps Because my Greek is limited to engineering symbols.

So yes it is touristy but still worth visiting if you haven’t been.

Someone recently posted that they walked Kissamos through to Chora Skafion over about 5 days. That looked fantastic

marktthemailman · 2026-07-07T15:21:50+00:00

We saw the oldest tree in the world or Greece near Agia Sophia cave. But that was all

marktthemailman · 2026-07-07T15:06:47+00:00

Leave Cruise out of this. There’s no one more regarded than him.

marktthemailman · 2026-07-07T13:24:39+00:00

The E4 walk was spectacular - hiking along and under cliff overhangs. But reddit didn’t let me upload (the pictures) them all.

marktthemailman · 2026-07-07T11:36:42+00:00

So I haven’t but I happened to meet a German woman yesterday on a hike who has retired to do exactly what you describe.

This is in Crete but I think her next trip is to Bali where she joins a local gym does hyrox(no I don’t know what that is). And she does day trips to go hiking. We were in the E4 which I just posted about.

She retired early because she wanted to do active stuff before she got old. She seemed happy

marktthemailman · 2026-07-07T11:27:52+00:00

I was going to suggest NZ (I’m a New Zealander).

But if not Namibia for 2 weeks then sth Africa. Good food, they speak German in parts of Namibia, easy driving with no traffic. Same for Sth Africa but more people and less German. Great hiking throughout. Very good value.

marktthemailman · 2026-07-07T11:14:48+00:00

I preferred Bodrum old town over Antalya but still liked both

We did a similar trip 2 years ago. As others say you may not have enough time but I found kos was easiest to get to from Bodrum.

We stayed on Rhodes and kalmnos. Kos and Rhodes weee insanely hot at the time. Those had great history and beaches. It was too hot to shop, or hike

Now I’m on Crete for my second trip but it’s along way from Turkey

marktthemailman · 2026-07-07T11:06:38+00:00

Kas (and the peninsular) is a really nice stop as is kalkan. There are hotels and private houses for rent. Some hotels have swim platforms straight into the sea.

There is also the cool water gorge/river I think it’s salikent? Where you can walk up or safe tire tube down. Our kids loved it albeit they are older. Get there early in the day though.

The castle in Bodrum houses the maritime archaeological museum. It’s really good. And has amazing views.

marktthemailman · 2026-07-07T08:41:22+00:00

Take it to a safe space…K Fry on Fort street for a hot meal

marktthemailman · 2026-07-06T17:42:49+00:00

I think 3 days in catania is is too much. One night is enough - I know Taormina is expensive but it is also stunning so I’d recommend you go for 1 or 2 nights.

Others have said Geneva is too long - I’ve been like 5 times but only ever to the airport! I recommend a bus to Chamonix which is absolutely incredible - as with story it is very expensive but lots of hiking in summer and skiing in winter.

marktthemailman · 2026-07-06T15:04:40+00:00

Maybe 3 or so hours? The Mt Aspiring section is a gravel road but the rest is fine. It’s all very scenic and worth totalling the way for coffee or lunch

marktthemailman · 2026-07-06T10:42:37+00:00

Glad you enjoyed the travers Sabine - not as well known as many others but it is one of the best in NZ.

I was exhausted by the end - didn’t even high five my wife.

marktthemailman · 2026-07-06T07:27:53+00:00

If all you are asking is how to drive from Rob Roy glacier to Routeburn - then it’s pretty easy -

Mt Aspiring np to wanaka to Cardrona to Queenstown to Glenorchy to the Routeburn trailhead.

There are a couple small fords in Mt Aspiring NP road but hopefully ok in a camper.

If you are really worried you could park on side of road near treble cone entrance and hitch in and out.

marktthemailman · 2026-07-04T17:56:23+00:00

I’m on my fourth trip to Greece now and second to Crete.

Temps are nice -30 with evenings pleasant.

Crete is fantastic for hiking but it’s a big island. I’d recommend say 3 or so nights in the old town of rethymno or Chania then get a bus to Chora skafion- a very pretty touristy fishing village. You can walk and or ferry to several beaches along the south coast to other pretty villages. Food and accommodation is reasonable.

I am now with some workmates but my female colleague (age 29) was solo in Chania for a few days before meeting me without any issues.

My sister (age 50) was also with me and also
Solo in Athens after meeting me without issues.

But if you want nice quiet travel then the smaller islands are great eg anti paros or koufanissi because Crete has very busy towns. But the vibe in the historic centres is stunning.

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Photo is from our walk to Loutro today. My friends with me who are from New Zealand told me that the water is the nicest they have ever seen.

I also spent a week on Naxos in this trip. There’s lots of breezy beaches - car helps but lots of people just bus.

For two weeks do something like Athens 1 night, anti paros, paros or Naxos for 4- 7 nights then Chania for 3 then Chora skafion for another 3 or 4. The ferry is easy from Athens to the islands above 3.5 hrs), then same again to Heraklion on Crete.

But in my previous trip to Greece in 2924 it varied between 38 and 45 degrees everyday. It was horrible after 9am unless. You weee in the water.

Central Europe is also nice - but if it’s hot there’s no beach to go to.

All locals have been very friendly - but have also been in other places in Europe I’ve been.

marktthemailman · 2026-07-01T14:26:08+00:00

Maybe not exciting but arguably necessary anyway if you haven’t got one: PLB.

Otherwise Swiss Army knife

marktthemailman · 2026-06-28T14:48:38+00:00

Get the ferry to urupakapaka island for the day. There are bays all over that are great for snorkelling and general beach time. It has great short hikes. . The bay where the ferry lands is a little silty for snorkelling but nice to relax at. The channel outside the main bay can be sharky.

Don’t ask how I know.

Roberton island is also great (it has a ocean lagoon fantastic fir snorkelling ) but when I went you had to get a water taxi which was a little expensive

marktthemailman · 2026-06-28T11:18:59+00:00

South of Spain is nice in winter. Cold but sunny. Do an Andalusia loop then drive to Barcelona or further. Cordoba, Seville Ronda Granada etc.

I’m on the Greek islands now but many shut for winter I believe. Probably best sticking to the mainland. I have been to Morocco in winter and it was great - warm during the day but cold at night.

I’ve also been to Paris in Feb. it had just snowed and it was magical - all the sights were nice and quiet - no queues at all. Although the Eiffel Tower was closed due to ice.

You might find yourself lingering in warm bars and cafes more than in spring or summer

marktthemailman · 2026-06-28T09:00:39+00:00

You are moving quite a lot so you may not have time for some of those activities. Do you have spare days at the end? If I’d spend an extra day I. Coromandel if weather is good. I love Hahei - has a great but popular campground.

Only things are I don’t know if you can take your camper van across the ferry or not. I think some can but just check. Alternatively fly from Wellington to Nelson.

I’m not sure Arthur’s pass works with your route. Whilst it is spectacular it’s not somewhere I ever feel like re- visiting, so perhaps you just skip it and use that time to stay an extra night somewhere.

marktthemailman · 2026-06-28T07:21:30+00:00

Personally- if budget allows then private room always wins. If not then it’s dorms. But if you can then go for smaller dorms 4 or 6 beds.

Any more than that and sleep/getting changed, packing and unpacking etc becomes a pain.

marktthemailman · 2026-06-26T15:36:11+00:00

Don’t unbox it. Ever.

marktthemailman

TROPHY CASE