A Sunshine Break To Recharge The Batteries (Hersonissos (Crete))

Member Name: freeandsingle

Product:	Hersonissos (Crete)
Date:	06/07/09 (97 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Something for everyone.

Disadvantages: Some areas not for families.

Hersonissos, Crete.

****Introduction*****

I have just got back from a holiday in Crete with my husband, it was our first time visiting this Greek Island and both of us agree that we would go back one day but maybe try a different area.

We stayed about three miles east from the Old Town of Hersonissos in a village called Annissaras, there was very little to do there at night so we often went into the old town for a meal at night.

****Hersonissos****

It is quite a large resort on the North coast of the Island about 20 miles from Heraklion Airport so not too far to travel after a four hour flight from the UK.
The Old Town of Hersonissos is quite busy with the main road going right through the middle of it but along the sea front there was a good mix of bars and 'Tavernas' they were all inviting and I have to admit that we had delicious food in every place that we tried.

The one thing that particularly pleased me was the way that you could walk along the front in peace without the bar owners trying to drag you in all the time.
Ok I admit it did happen occasionally but nothing like other places that I have been to, the people here seemed so much more laid back about life, if you entered their restaurant great, but they didn't go out of their way to pester you, if you did go in to sit down you were given five star treatment and every place that we tried over the seven nights all offered a shot of ouzo or a coffee on the house before they brought the bill.

The port was quaint and very relaxing, boat trips were on offer at good prices and I can recommend the trip to Spinalonga Island, a leper colony up until the 1950's just off the coast from Elounda, it cost us 28 Euros each and well worth the money. I was quite taken up with this place so I won't say too much about it now because I would like to do a full review on it.

The actual town itself was full of shops from gift ware to jewellery establishments, with cafes scattered in between so you were never far from a nice cold beer served in a frosted glass.
There were several banks and a really good Spar Supermarket for those on self catering so all in all you had everything that you could possibly need in this resort.

It also had the quieter areas either side of it, Koutouloufari and Piskopiano these were classed as villages and very beautiful with lovely beaches but the best beach that we found was actually in Annissaras where our hotel was situated. The sand was soft and golden and the beach itself was not overcrowded.

If you stay outside of the old town then you become very limited for getting around, it cost us 8 Euros to get to the old town in a taxi so over the week quite an expensive outlay.
There were local buses but again it was a fair walk from the sea front up to the main road so we didn't even try them.

Quad bikes were a popular form of transport, and we hired one for four hours costing us 20 Euros with all the insurances, this was great fun and we were able to get a good look around the surrounding areas. It amazed me how many people were riding them without a helmet, the locals had their children perched on the backs with no protection, a bit crazy really because there are some crazy drivers in Crete and so impatient at times.

Star Beach was the in place for youngsters in this resort and very popular. It was a complex offering water sports from Jet Skiing to Para Sailing and fun pools for adults and children.
It was always busy because the entrance was free but you were not allowed to take in food or drink. There were numerous bars and coffee shops all expensive I might add and sun loungers every where, these cost four Euros each per day. The stretch of beach here was also golden sand and really nice so well worth a visit.

There is also a large Water Park called Aqua Plus 5 klm to the west of the resort in Kastelli we didn't actually go there but quite a few people with children said that Star beach was the better option being free entrance because it cost them over 80 Euros to get in with two children and they still needed to buy drinks etc.


****Conclusion****

This resort was ok as a base there is something for every one but we would not go back there to be quite honest, after a week we felt that we had seen it all and were starting to tire of it.
It is a resort for every age group, a few miles up the road in Malia the place was full of teenagers partying till dawn and sleeping till at least two in the afternoon. So if you do book a holiday to this resort take your time to study which part you want to stay in.
West side is more sedate and the east going towards Stalis and Malia is more for the stag party venues.

Summary: A nice resort to suit everybody but only for a week.