Landscapes of Eastern Crete by Jonnie Godfrey and Elizabeth Karslake
Summary: Crete: walks, walking; touring by car
[ The book is described below. Click above to order or to access other information ]

Check out the book's Contents click here
Check out the book's Index click here
To view some photographs from the book click here
To view a pdf of one of the walks featured in the 4th edition click here

Crete is a large island so we've divided it into two halves. This book describes the Eastern part, but includes a description of the famous Samaria Gorge walk in the west of the island ­ a popular day excursion by coach. This latest (4th) edition keeps up with the ever-changing pattern of paths and tracks in rural Crete (but do use our free Update service as well).

Whether you walk, drive or picnic in eastern Crete, the mountains will be your constant companions, changing colour and mood from dawn to dusk, as you move through them, round them and over them. You cannot fail to feel their dramatic attraction. The stunning colours and heady scent of flowers and herbs, tucked into rough ground or splashed across a hillside, the warm-sounding buzz of hovering bees, and the massed band of a thousand cicadas will all leave a lasting impression ­ the 'special effects' of the total scene.

You may share this rural bliss only with a solitary shepherd, his flocks and dogs, as you walk the hillsides of eastern Crete. Greeks, on the whole, don't walk ­ unless they have to for their day's labour. So be prepared for incredulous looks from the townspeople and faint smiles from the villagers!

"Our holiday plans, made well ahead, tend to centre around the relevant Sunflower Book. We settled for the less arduous eastern Crete, and we happily succeeded in doing all the routes in the neighbourhood. I think the volume certainly keeps to the high standard of the series: it is obviously very popular, and we were able to have plenty of chats with folk who attempted the routes."
(O.S.J., East Hagbourne)

Best months for walking: April to June, September or October.

Where to Stay. The authors recommend you opt for Agios Nikolaos. There is a wide choice of all grades of accommodation and plenty of bus services to all parts if you are not using a hire car.

11 car tours, 30 long and short walks, 12 picnic suggestions

Plans of Agios Nikolaos, Iraklion

For an extremely useful source of information about the island, click on http://www.greekisland.co.uk and choose Crete

NOTE: we regret this book is currently out of print and there are no plans for a new edition or reprint because the authors are no longer able to update the book and it has proved impossible to find anyone to take on the task at a viable fee.You may be able to borrow a copy from your local library or you may be able to buy a second-hand copy. At present, the only form in which we can offer this title is as a pdf e-book (see below)......

Have the book today as a pdf e-book if you order before 15.00hrs GMT! To get the complete book as an Acrobat pdf document (e-mailed to your computer for £14.00), click here Note that this pdf version provides instant links from all the walking maps to the walk area in Google Earth.

(Note: If you buy from Amazon, book prices are discounted, therefore amazon.co.uk's post paid prices differ from those shown here.)