Lonely Planet Crete (Paperback)

~ Victoria Kyriakopoulos (Author)
Key Phrases: central court, tourist police, lustral basin, Getting There, Agios Nikolaos, Hora Sfakion (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...Lonely Planet for honesty, history, irreverence and budget."
-- Esquire Magazine

…Lonely Planet for honesty, history, irreverence and budget.' --Esquire
--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Description

Dramatic mountains and sparkling seas, bustling cities and secluded olive groves, ancient ruins and sleek resorts - Crete is an island of irresistible contrasts. Whether you're gorge walking or Minotaur hunting, celebrating Orthodox Easter or simply sun seeking, our definitive guide gives you detailed regional coverage for the perfect getaway.

• EXPERT ADVICE - insider tips help you escape the crowds and discover unspoilt hideaways

• HIT THE HILLS - detailed walks guide you through Crete's spectacular gorges and coastal scenery

• DISCERNING DINING - our refined eating reviews ensure you'll find a slice of authentic Cretan cuisine

• GET UNDER THE SKIN with our in-depth history and culture coverage, including an informed guide to the Minoan civilization

• PLAN YOUR ADVENTURE with comprehensive itineraries and extensive grid-referenced maps

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 252 pages
• Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications; 3 edition (February 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1741040396
• ISBN-13: 978-1741040395
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,097,976 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  Books > Travel > Europe > Greece > Crete

• This item is part of The Lonely Planet Greece Series Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It was great for me. , May 1, 2007

By	kaybee (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

Let me start by saying I have been to Crete before.

I bought the book, rented a car and drove around Crete in 2005 using this guide only with the objective of looking for value for money accomodation and places of interest to me for this trip ie. beaches on the south west: Paleohora, Elafonissi, Plakias etc. The accommodation I stayed at was picked from the book and was superb. The prices (in 2005) were completely accurate. I am not a backpacker (such as the previous reviewer) and I had different aims from the guide and had a different experience. (Other guides are more informative if you are looking for more culural experiences). For me, I can't wait for the next edition to come out to plan my next trip to this beautiful place.

14 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Little more than a tourist guide, October 12, 2005

By	art_eater - See all my reviews

The book is just a little more than a turist guide. Maybe it can be usefull when making a tour with a small suitcase and a credit card, but backpackers and budget travelers shouldn't lean too much on it. Do your own research when planning the trip and talk to your kind of travelers on the trip. I guess the author did't do any researhes on her own but just copying the previous text. Maybe just some prices that are different than in the previous edition.
Manos hotel in Chania is (let say) recomended by the book and it advertises that in the street proudly. When i asked for the room the price was double than written in the book and not negotiable. The hotel was dirty and the owner arogant. This was just one of my experiences on the trip that don't fit into the guide. But O.K. this can happen. The problem are missing information. For instance that you can sleep half price in the turk part of the historic centre of Chania etc.
Overall: It is O.K. to have a guide on a trip but after visiting Nepal, India and Turkey with Lonely Planet is this one quite a dissapointment to me.

4.0 out of 5 stars A helpful guide, October 20, 2009

By	C. Chrysovergis (Minneapolis) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Crete (Regional Guide) (Paperback)

I appreciate the Lonely Planet format which makes finding recommended food and lodging easy to refer. I also appreciated the detailed boxes on agrotourism, wineries, and the island's other cultural and geographic features. The "our pick" notations were helpful and the selections excellent and accurate for the places I visited with my wife (Chania Prefecture, Iraklion, and Elafonisi). The writer's/editors' love of Crete come through in the writing, steering you away from tourist traps and towards a more enriching Cretan experience. They seem to know the island better than most other mainstream travel guide publishers that I have read (possible exception of Rough Guide). My only suggestion for improvement would be to provide some more background detail/history for certain sites and cities than the brief description in each section currently provide. Overall, the LP Crete guide is a very helpful traveling companion for either a brief or extended trip.