Tour operators had warned as early as last year about the inevitable rise in prices for holidays in Greece. The reason for this is the summer Olympics in Athens. However, paying no attention to all these warnings, our experts decided to go to the Greek island of Crete. The first thing that became clear, writes Gazeta.Ru, is that prices for island holidays have risen only slightly compared to last year, and the price frenzy applies only to August - the time of the Olympics - and mainly affects mainland Greece.
Tour
A week-long tour for two to the island of Crete will cost on average 1,240 euros: airfare, insurance, accommodation in a three- or four-star hotel, and half-board meals.
Transport
The vast majority of tourists arriving on the island rent a car the very next day: the abundance of attractions requires freedom of movement. A perfectly decent Citroen will be offered for 150 euros for four days. And a modest Fiat can be had for 30 euros per day. A liter of gasoline is about 0.8 euros.
Total: 150-180 euros.
Beach
The swimming season on Crete begins in early May and ends in mid-November. From May to October, the average water temperature ranges between 20 and 26 degrees. Crete's beaches are sandy, although pebbles are also found, sometimes quite large. Trouble in the form of treacherous sea urchins is not uncommon. All beaches on the island are free. Use of a sun lounger and umbrella is paid for - about 4-4.5 euros per day.
Separately, it is worth mentioning water activities: the pleasure of zipping around on water skis costs 20 euros for 10 minutes, windsurfing equipment rental will cost 15 euros for the first hour. Each subsequent hour - 5 euros. By the way, windsurfing is not possible everywhere. A fail-safe option is a spot near the island of Spinalonga: locals assure that it is always windy there.
A special warning to diving enthusiasts: after the Red Sea, teeming with diverse marine life, the local underwater world with its sparse schools of fish will seem frankly boring. This monotony is more than compensated for by the amazing clarity and transparency of the sea water.
Total: sun loungers, umbrellas plus active water sports will cost about 150 euros.
Excursions
An organized excursion booked through a local travel agency costs about 25 euros. Often this amount includes the cost of an entrance ticket to a museum or a famous cave. We note that for tourists who prefer to explore the island independently, museum entrance tickets cost 6 euros, and entry to the numerous caves associated with ancient Greek myths will cost on average 4 euros.
By the way, the Palace of Knossos leaves a double impression on tourists who were enthusiastic beforehand. This three-thousand-year-old antiquity looks too much like a new building. So do not expect special impressions from Knossos, familiar from childhood from history textbooks, so as not to be disappointed later. However, a leisurely examination of the other sights of Heraklion (the capital of the island) saves the situation: the power of the fortress walls of Koules is very impressive, the bright views opening from the loopholes, and the ancient temples of the city with magnificent frescoes also look majestic.
The exhibition of the Archaeological Museum of Crete is one of the richest in Greece. That is, in fact, why the museum is always packed, and the exhibits are barely visible behind the backs of curious tourists.
If you don't like the hustle and bustle, we recommend checking out the city's historical and local history museums. You will be pleasantly surprised by the most interesting exhibits and a minimum of people in the halls.
It is worth exploring at least a couple of the island's caves; some of them are very interesting. True, you should know some details: for example, to the Cave of Zeus, where according to legend he was born and raised, a lengthy climb leads. Tourists annoyed by such an unexpected turn will be happily offered a donkey for rent - for "just" 10 euros.
Not far from this cave lies the Lasithi Plateau, which, if you believe the advertising, is famous for its huge number of windmills. In reality, things are somewhat different: a few ancient non-working stone windmills can hardly be called a huge number of windmills. True, for all that, they look more than colorful and greatly adorn the landscape that opens from the plateau's viewing platform.
Total: participation in four group excursions will cost 200 euros for two. Independent travel along the same routes is much cheaper - about 80-90 euros.
Restaurants
The price of our tour includes breakfast at the hotel. The morning meal includes sliced cheese, sausage and ham, honey, butter, muesli and yogurt. Cucumbers, tomatoes, a mandatory omelet and sausages are served. All in all, not a bad start to the day. Quite another matter is lunch at a local tavern after a morning swim and excursion. Moussaka (potato baked with meat, eggplant and cheese) - 5.5 euros, a large portion of octopus or fried squid - 6.5 euros, mussels in a piquant sauce - 6.5 euros. You can wash it all down with inexpensive red wine. A half-liter jug of chilled wine will be brought to you for about 2.5 euros.
As always, away from the tourist trail you are fed both more interestingly and more cheaply. For example, a dish under the innocent name "seafood mix for two" is a huge plate with a mountain of appetizingly baked fish, huge shrimp, mussels, squid and vegetables. The price is 10 euros. In addition, in supermarkets you can buy wine (from 1 euro per bottle) or beer (about 1.5 euros per 0.5 l).
Total: about 280 euros for two.
Summing up
For a week, two adult travelers will need about 800 euros for all pleasures: driving around the island, sitting in taverns and relaxing on the beach. Together with the cost of the tour, the total trip budget will be 2,000 euros for two.
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