| Product: |
Malia |
| Date: |
07/06/01 (1562 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Sunny, Pleasant, Full of things to do
Disadvantages: A 4 hour flight away, The toilets are temperamental
Malia is situated on the north east side of the island and is described in most travel books as being seen by the Greeks as'everything that is wrong with mass tourism'. But although slightly wary of this supposed tourist trap, I found Malia to be a charming and even cultural place. It's filled with friendly people and is not just a resort for English people - Germans and Dutch people frequent the area too. And although it's main object is to appeal to young people, there were also families there in May, when we went, as the sun isn't as strong and so it's suitable for children who burn easily.
Most of Malia is on Beach Road, which naturally leads down to the blissfully sandy beach, filled with sun-loungers which cost about 500dracmas for the day (about 80p). But there is so much more to see besides the beach. You can go to the ruins of Malia Palace nearby (about 40mins walk) or take the bus to Knossos (change in Heraklion) to see the Minoan ruins there which are spectacular. Alternatively, you can stay in Malia and puruse the intersting supermarkets, filled with tourist tat like ceramic pots, replica traditional greek clothing or in some of the more intersting ones - porn. Which in one supermarket was opposite a row of children's toys...The greeks definitely have a different attitude to such things.
Malia in itself is a stunning resort, surrounded by rolling hills, beautiful open spaces and if you wander a little out of the old town centre (full of rustic-looking houses), lemon groves. It's an ideal place to go if you're not quite sure what you want from a holiday because although it has clubs, restaurants and bars galore, it also has plenty to occupy yourself with if you just fancy a quiet night in. There are even bars which show the latest video releases! However, if you're a single young girl, take the advice one of my friends gave me before I left: 'Stay away from men in tight trousers...'
Summary:
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Last comments:
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- 09/06/01 I think Malia has changed since 1998 - not one place playing the birdie song. I'm quite disappointed actually... |
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- 08/06/01 Doesn't sound like my ideal holiday destination....I'm not into commercialized areas full of Spring Breakers trying to out drink each other, but sounds like you had a great holiday never-the-less....I had to laugh though when I saw that one of your disadvantages was the 4 hour flight was too long....I guess you won't be flying to Oz too soon then.... try adding another 20 hours onto that !! |
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- 08/06/01 God, I went on a trip to Crete in 1998, and found Malia to be a complete hell-hole... Still, if you like scores of bars blaring out 'The Birdie Song' and 'Come On Eileen' at full volume, then I guess it's your kind of place. :) |
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