5 days in CRETE, GREECE | traveling during OFF-PEAK season to a lesser-known island (skip Mykonos!)
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- čas přidán 14. 12. 2022
- In November, I went on a 5-day girls’ trip to Crete! This was my first time in Greece and I’m so glad we chose Crete out of all the other major islands. We rented a two-bedroom villa with the most beautiful interior, a balcony overlooking fruit trees and old houses, and a private pool. Everything we ate was AMAZING and grown directly on the island - from traditional dishes like bougatsa and various cheese pies, to local greens and hearty mushroom stews. We rented a car and drove around three major cities to explore the charm of each one.
A lot of locals were surprised we were in Crete during November. Everywhere we went, they would remind us that it’s “off-peak” season and that some places were closed. We definitely wished it was warmer, but in the end we realized that there were so many amazing moments we probably wouldn’t have experienced during the peak season. Empty roads, less tourists, quieter streets to stroll on; all of these are reasons why there is never a “perfect” time to travel. At the end of the day, I’m glad I never experienced the picture-perfect ‘Greece’ that tourists usually make up in their head. I got to soak in the charm, the grace, and all the magic that lives on the beautiful island of Crete :)
✨Follow me on IG: / missworldwidewu
🏠 Airbnb/Villa in Rethymnos - "Casa Vitae": www.casa-vitae.gr/home.html
⛵ Tours/Activities we did:
➢ Food Tour in Chania - www.airbnb.com/experiences/40...
➢ Mosaic Making Class - www.airbnb.com/experiences/41...
➢ Private Sailing Tour to Dia Island - www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...
🫒What we ate & drank:
➢ The Cafe of Kagiampi - restaurantguru.com/O-Kafenes-...
➢ Kirkór (bougatsa) - www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...
➢ Peskesi - peskesicrete.gr/en
➢ Monogram Coffee Roasters - www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...
➢ Asikiko - asikikorestaurant.gr
➢ Lyrarakis Winery - www.lyrarakis.com/en/home
➢ Koukouvaya Cafe - www.koukouvaya.gr
➢ Tamam Restaurant - www.tamamrestaurant.com
➢ Koo Koo Brunch Cafe - kookoo_brun...
➢ Othonos - othonas_tav...
🎵 Music in this video (by Epidemic Sound):
➢ "Rioverde" - Vendia
➢ "Other Side" - HATAMITSUNAMI
➢ "Calm and Collected" - Matt Large
➢ "Morelia" - Vendia
➢ "Bagatelle Valley" - Nylonwings
➢ "Avocados on Hash Browns" - baegel
~ More music by Thematic:
➢ Music by Blue Sirens - Through the Trees - thmatc.co/?l=0D8242CB
➢ Music by Chinsaku - Never Explained - thmatc.co/?l=458CFE28
➢ Music by Chinsaku - All I Need - thmatc.co/?l=116AAA12
➢ Music by Ben Camden - I Do - thmatc.co/?l=2D936F54
➢ Music by Chinsaku - C o f f e e - thmatc.co/?l=2F91506A
➢ Music by sunshine blvd. - Ocean Blue - thmatc.co/?l=BD6384E2
📽️ What I Use to Edit/Film:
➢ Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100
➢ iPhone 11
➢ Final Cut Pro X
➢ GoPro HERO9
👩💻 ABOUT ME:
My name is Julie and I was born and raised in sunny California, but moved to NYC in April 2021. I love to travel, try new foods, and paint plant pots. I work a 9-5 job, but spend my weekends and holidays off traveling the world. Stay tuned!
#crete #cretegreece #greecevlog
Honestly this probably one of the most wholesome, authentic, non pretentious travel blog I’ve seen so far. I love that you guys actually visited and took your time to get to know all these places while appreciating the local cuisines and the locals themselves. There’s nothing more disappointing than seeing travelers visiting just for photo ops to post on social media all dressed up to the nines and don’t take the time to explore and learn the culture.
Thank you!!
I just got back from Crete and it’s just what the soul needed.
I have been to Greece 50+ times. And whenever I see people from their videos visiting Greece or an island or region on the mainland for the first time, its as if I experience it with and for them for the first time. I love this country. It's so immensely diverse and its heaven.
And food is to me unmatched. It's not only crazy good, it's very diverse, and it is crazy good in all directions and being very allround good. It's like a gamecharacter where you maxed out ALL stats.
a world of amazing pasta / rice / pulses / potato / oven / salads / desserts / vegetable dishes
Oh yeah and the people. A big fat cherry on this incredible piece. The people are wonderful, sweet, hospitable, warm, and are like family it feels. It's amazing
Also. Aside of your preference of Greek coffee (one of you 3) I have to say I love Greek coffee because its the least bitter coffee. Real Greek coffee has light roasted beans making them way less bitter than other coffees. It's for me also almost the only coffee that my stomach has 0 problems with. Some other coffees always need milk and also I know many people who don't feel 100% good with drinking such coffees. Im not sure. But I drink my Greek coffee medium sweet. It has a wonderful cream on top which also is another sign of Greek coffee. Which I love the most. One thing is. When you get Greek coffee you have to let it rest for a minute to let the last grinds fall on the floor. To me Greek coffee is one of my 2 best coffees, and here in Europe I tasted countless coffees
Not to mention Greek coffee been medicinal..
Her husband is a batista. Spat out my coffee on that one. North American coffee is really bitter so weird flex hearing someone who doesn't know what they are talking about like that women describe any coffee in Europe let alone greek coffee as bitter.
We should give you a Greek nationality for sure, 50+ times in Greece, you are most welcomed, to our country, think for your retirement in Greece.Cheers.
thanks for posting. I've been looking for more videos about things to do in the off-season. So I really appreciated this video.
Crete looks like a great place to take a nice little winter sun trip. 🌞
I love the random cat on the beach just casually hanging out with affectionate tourists. 😆
Thanks for sharing!!!! OMG I am ready to go!!
We are 26 days away from 5 days on Crete. This was super helpful and made us all super excited.
So glad to hear that :) you’ll have the best time!
Love the authentic approach! Really outstanding!
this vlog feels like a warm hug. please dont stop with your content. it is incredible. im not even done with the video and i dont want it to end. this vlog makes me so exited to visit crete next month
Aw thank you and I hope you have the best time!
I really enjoyed your video. I got emotional. You did a great job with this video. I am Greek. I liked the music, cats, etc.
Yamas!!!!!!! I went to Paros island recently. I loved it.
Your videos are so wholesome & cozy. I'm planning a trip to this part of the world in May, thanks for the Inspo :)
So sweet thank you!
Great video love it 💕💕
Super work… Loved this
I was in Crete for 10days and absolutely love it the, the food is amazing the people friendly but the saddest thing I seen was the poor cats there was loads,looking for food ,stray cats broke my heart, every day I was there I went and bought cat food for them,people might think they are just cats,but I would do it for any animal, but saying that Crete is a beautiful island
Looks like you had a lotta fun, and Crete looks like an amazing place to go to.
Very nice video
Great job 👍
I like when You Say: 21:20 yeeeeey!! So so cute
great vibes!!! i think peskesi is a true experience for the peope who ate in this restaurant!!(iam from heraklion)
Cretan food is the best food EVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
wow! you sold me
You should have planned the trip during the spring, Crete is stunning at that time of year and already pretty warm. Also there are a lot less tourists than during the summer.
Next time!
Im debating Naxos vs Crete and you may have helped me make my decision!
one minute in and i'm booking a flight!
love the post. we are headed to Crete in 4 days. hoping it's not too cold. what part of november were you there?
Last week of Nov!
super helpful video! what was the restaurnt you mentioned in the beginning where they served you delish food, free shots, and free wine?
The cafe of kagiampi!
Love this! what city do you recommend staying in? Also, was renting a car easy?
I recommend staying in at least two cities! Chania and Heraklion. A couple of nights each city. And renting a car was easy :) we booked through Budget!
Crete is the largest island in Greece.
? Did you use your phone or a VCR?
We love Crete, however November is really off season, start of October is the ned of the season really with still nice weather and things open but less crowds, not November. I recommend the other end of the island Elounda and visits to places like Spinanlonga island
Thank you for those recs!! I agree, I felt like Nov was prob not the best time to visit. Loved the peace and quiet but maybe too quiet for what I’m looking for esp on holiday haha
How warm is greece in April?.
amazing video!! were you able to rent a car with inly a US driving license? I've read that you have to have an International permit as well but that they changed that a few months ago. Cant wait to be in Crete in just 3 weeks!!
I was able to rent with just a US drivers license!
I wonder how the weather is at the start of March, anyone been around this time?
Amazing vid. How was driving in Crete? I am travelling solo in april and want to drive around on my own, but nervous
any recommendations or tips for driving there?
I wasn’t the one driving but I was a very active and alert passenger 😂 roads were smooth but a bit windy at times! Overall not hard to drive tho, just need motion sickness pills if you’re in the backseat
Hoping to go to Crete 2023. Read the book "Abducting a General" and fell in love with the people of Crete. Loved your video. Do most people speak English?
So excited for you! I would say it was 50/50 in terms of ppl who could speak English. We got around just fine by just pointing at dishes and using Google translate :)
We're obsessed with Crete! This is a such a great vlog!! 🇬🇷 We went during the busiest season and it was still less touristy and chill.
My fiancè and I just got back and made a guide to some of the secret places we found!
czcams.com/video/R7MvYv-UTkk/video.html
Hi! I’m planning on visiting Crete in a few months. Which city do you recommend staying in out of all the cities you visited?
So excited for you! How many days do you have? If you're going to be there for more than 4 nights, I'd recommend staying in Chania and Heraklion, half the nights in each. They are both hubs for so many great activities, but are two hours away from each other, so you wouldn't want to drive back and forth.
If you have less time, then it's hard to pick but I'd say Chania!
Chania definitely, I’m telling you as a Greek who has been in Crete 20 times.Cheers.
What time of the year where you. In Greece
November!
What month did ye go?
November
Is December a good time?
Def off peak and will be cold but if you’re into less crowds then it’s a good time!
Everyone has their own preference but don't hype yourself up as a coffee expert and describe the coffee wrong. Not bitter at all. I don't like the grinds but love the richness of greek coffee. I get a double to avoid the grinds at the bottom. But if done well greek coffee almost chocolately as it is very rich compared to an espresso.
You guys were very unlucky (weather-wise),visiting the owl cafe ,( koukouvaya) in the hills of a Chania ,because if you were blessed with a beautiful clear afternoon,you would had witnessed one of the best sunsets in the world ! If there is a next trip to Crete in your life’s make sure to be there between April and October!