Rhodes, Cyprus and Crete

[OBRN1]

Hello need any advice on tours in these ports. Or are these ports just walking ports and if so what are some of the highlights to see and restaurants to eat at? Thanks

[Hlitner]

1 hour ago, OBRN1 said:

Hello need any advice on tours in these ports. Or are these ports just walking ports and if so what are some of the highlights to see and restaurants to eat at? Thanks

I will not go into a lot of detail as there is tons of info on the Internet.  But of those 3 ports, Rhodes is the one easiest handled on your own, by simply walking.  You dock in Rhodes Town, and the popular Old Town is a stone's throw from the port.  Unless you plan on going elsewhere on the island (they do have some excellent beaches) one can handle Rhodes Town with a little pre-trip homework.

 

As to Cyprus, we have only been there one time and it is an island where one should either book a private tour or a cruise line excursion.  The alternative would be to rent a car, but most cruisers do not do this on first time visits.

 

Crete is a huge island (over 3000 square miles) and any recommended itinerary would depend on which port you visit.  From Iraklion, most first timers will go to Knossos which can be done on an excursion, private tour, rental car, regional bus, etc.  Lots of options depending on your preference.  Iraklion also has an excellent archeological museum (with a good number of artifacts coming from Knossos.   As to Chania, we actually enjoy going into the city.  But one can also get to Knossos, although it is a longer drive.

 

Hank

 

 

[mapleleaves]

There are several travel books specific to Med cruises, ie Rick Steves has ' Mediterranean Cruise Ports' .

These books provide info on sights, activities, tours, rand DIY options for all the major ports.  The more you know about your ports, the more you will get out of this trip. Check the travel section of your local library or buy. I took my book with me so that I had fall=back ideas for each port.

[2blueyam]

You don't have to bring the whole book. Pull out the pages you need and leave the rest of the book at home. We have done this in the past. Usually by the time you go back to a place, it is a good idea to have a new guidebook anyway and things are always changing. We are the exception to that as we are headed back to Greece less than 2 years from our last visit, but we can still bring the pages we took with us last time, although most we won't need because we are going to many new places and only revisiting two (Crete and Athens).

[edinburgher]

Cyprus and Crete

 

It would have been helpful to members had you actually named your ports, not just given the names of large  islands where there is more than one port option.😉

 

Once you know the names of your actual ports, there is  lots and lots of online info to be found, you only need look for it, also look at shorex offerings even should you not want to book one as they give an indication of highlights from that port and what can be accomplished within port timings.. You can look to see if anything you liked on the shorex can be done independently. And read past threads too.  So easy to find them using the fast search tool, and many will contain info and suggestions.

 

And yes, Rhodes is very easy to self explore as Rhodes Town is literally a few minutes walk from the dock and isn't huge.. You could if you choose, do what we often do and search online for "self guided walking tour of Rhodes Town" (or indeed any other location) as these often come with full descriptions and a map.

 

For your restaurants, should replies here not be what you are hoping for, try Tripadvisor and other restaurant review sites for "(name of port) restaurant reviews". as recommendations for a place on the opposite side of an island to where you are wouldn't be very helpful.

 

Google could become your new BF, also past threads.😀

 

Lots of reading, but doing your own research means you get to spend your shore time doing and seeing only what interests you and at your own pace, rather than doing shorex where "one size fits all" with a guide telling you where and when you can stop and for how long. And think of the $$$s savings.

 

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Edited July 12 by edinburgher