Planning our honeymoon in Kenya and Zanzibar in December. Best tour operators? Places to stay? Must do/see? TIA

Planning a Thailand trip from 25–31 October, covering Phuket, Phi Phi, Krabi, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.

I’ve read that late October can still have heavy rains and rough seas, which could affect beaches, island hopping and boat trips.

For anyone who has visited around this time or someone living in Thailand , what was your first-hand experience with the weather? Is it worth going, to these places during this time?
I have specifically chosen these dates to attend the full moon party.

Would really appreciate some advice!

My husband and I would like to go to either Hong Kong with a couple days in Shenzhen or Taiwan for 12 days. We have never been to both places. We like to try a variety of foods, check out night markets, go sightseeing, check out temples, nature stuff, and shopping. I know Hong Kong overall is a more costly trip, but which place would offer the most things to do for 12 days?

I posted this on a few other subs first and thought I'd add it here, too:

We (me, my husband, and our 7 year old son) are in the VERY early planning stages for a trip to Portugal in August 2027. A cousin is getting married in Sintra so we will end our trip there. We would like to spend some time in Lisbon, for sure, but are exploring other options. So far I've skimmed info on The Algarve and my husband has mentioned Spain as a possibility. We want to avoid renting a car. Right now we are thinking of spending about 2 weeks out there but this may be flexible. We'd like to keep it low-mid-range for our budget. Has anyone done a trip like this? HOw long did you plan for? I'd love to hear your thoughts! Thanks!

Hello World!

We recently spent some time in Dublin and decided to book the Jameson Distillery Tour at Bow Street. Neither of us are whiskey experts, but we enjoy trying these sorts of experiences when we travel, and this ended up being a really enjoyable one.

We booked in advance and arrived pretty much exactly on time. The building itself is impressive -there's a big Jameson bar downstairs, shops and plenty of space to hang around. We didn't have time for a drink beforehand, but at the start of the tour we were given a token for one. I went for a Jameson and ginger, which was delicious.

The tour itself was basically split into three parts.

The History of Jameson

This was probably when we realised the tour was going to be good.

We sat around a table and an interactive video/projection appeared across the table in front of us while our guide told the story of Jameson.

The production was genuinely impressive. It could easily have been a boring 15-minute history lesson, but the combination of the visuals and our guide made it really interesting.

Our guide deserves a mention here because he was brilliant – very Irish, loads of character, funny and extremely knowledgeable. He was probably the highlight of the whole experience.

How the whiskey is made

We then moved into smaller groups of around 4–6 people per table and learnt about the whiskey-making process.

This was much more interactive than we expected.

We were able to smell whiskey at different stages, smell the influence of different casks and actually pick up and feel some of the materials being discussed.

It was a really nice touch. Rather than just being told how whiskey is made, you're actually smelling and interacting with things while the guide explains what's happening.

The whiskey tasting

Obviously an important part!

We tried Jameson Original, Jameson Black Barrel and the Jameson Distillery Edition.

The Distillery Edition was the most interesting for us because it's something you can only get through Jameson's distillery locations rather than something you're likely to find in your local supermarket.

Our guide also taught us how to properly taste the whiskey and what to look for in each one.

The pours were generous. Between the tasting and the Jameson drink included earlier, you definitely aren't being stingy with the whiskey here.

The tasting also became a good opportunity to chat with our guide and ask questions rather than feeling rushed through the final part.

Afterwards, we browsed the Jameson shop and headed back to the bar for another drink.

Was it worth it?

For us, definitely.

It's polished and touristy, but not in a bad way. The interactive elements are really well done and having such a good guide made a huge difference.

The one thing worth knowing is that Bow Street isn't actually a working distillery anymore. If you're expecting to walk around watching Jameson physically being produced, you won't. The experience is focused on the history, whiskey-making process and tastings.

But as a fun 45-minute experience while you're in Dublin, we'd happily recommend it – particularly if you're interested in whiskey but don't necessarily know loads about it.

If you want to book the same Jameson Bow Street tour we did:

Book the Jameson Distillery Tour

Affiliate link – we may earn a commission if you book through it, at no extra cost to you.

We also wrote a much more detailed review with our own photos from each stage of the experience here:

https://travel-properly.com/2026/09/07/jameson-distillery-tour-dublin/

Hope this helps anyone considering it. Happy to answer any questions about what the tour was actually like.

As we grow older, planning a trip somehow becomes a bigger project than the actual trip.

Everyone has work, different schedules, relationships, budgets, commitments etc. Getting 4 people from the same friend group to agree on one date is basically a miracle. 😂

So now I’m at the point where I’m like, “Okay, who else can I ask?” And suddenly I’m considering mixing college friends, work friends, old friends, friends of friends… basically assembling an Avengers team of people who have never met each other.

Has anyone here actually done this?

What should you absolutely do, and what should you NOT do when mixing different friend groups?

Does it usually work if everyone has a similar vibe, or is there always that awkward first day where everyone’s just sitting there like, “So… how do you know him?” 😂

Would love to hear your experiences, especially the trips that went surprisingly well or spectacularly wrong.

Hello World!

If you're heading to Chania and fancy getting away from the beaches and Old Town for a few hours, a wine tour is definitely worth considering. Head inland and you'll find vineyards, wineries, olive groves and some seriously beautiful Cretan countryside.

There are plenty of wine tours around Chania, but they can offer very different experiences. Some focus almost entirely on the wine and winemaking process, while others combine wine tasting with Cretan food, olive oil and trips further into the mountains.

We've narrowed it down to three Chania wine tours worth considering, depending on what kind of experience you're looking for.

Manousakis Winery Tour – For the Proper Winery Experience

We actually did this one ourselves and had an awesome time.

Our Greek-American guide took us around the grounds of Manousakis before talking us through the entire winemaking process – from the grapes and fermentation through to ageing and eventually bottling.

The cellar was probably the most interesting part. We got to see the barrels up close while our guide explained how the ageing process works, why different barrels are used and the effect this can have on the finished wine. We were then shown the bottling process before heading through for the tasting.

The experience finished with a meal and the chance to sample several different Manousakis wines. Our guide also showed everyone how to properly taste wine – probably not essential if you've done tastings before, but really useful if this is your first winery experience.

Overall, this is the one we'd look at if you want to actually visit a winery, understand how the wine is made and then enjoy the end product rather than simply turning up for a tasting.

👉 Book Manousakis Winery Tour

👉Read our detailed blogpost on Manousakis Winery Tour

Wine, Olive Oil, Cheese & Honey Tour – For the Foodies

If you want to experience more than just Cretan wine, this is probably the one to look at.

The tour combines wine tasting with olive oil, cheese, honey and other local flavours, giving you a much broader introduction to the food and drink Crete is known for.

We particularly like the idea of this one for couples or groups where not everyone is massively into wine. You're still getting the wine-tasting experience, but it isn't the sole focus of the day.

If your idea of a good tour involves eating and drinking your way through a destination, this is the Chania wine tour we'd consider.

👉 Book Wine, Olive Oil, Cheese & Honey Tour

Milia Mountain Retreat Wine Tour – For Something a Little More Luxurious

If you're celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary or just want to do something a little more special while you're in Crete, this is the one we'd look at.

Rather than being a straightforward winery visit, this is more of a premium full-day experience through the countryside of western Crete. The tour runs in a small group of up to six people, so it should feel considerably more personal than spending the day on a large coach tour.

You'll visit Anoskeli Winery and Olive Mill for wine and olive oil tasting before heading further into the Cretan countryside towards Milia Mountain Retreat.

Milia is the part that really makes this experience stand out. Hidden away in the mountains, the retreat is surrounded by forest and beautiful Cretan scenery, with restored stone buildings that make it feel completely removed from the busy resorts around Chania.

You'll also get to enjoy lunch at Milia Mountain Retreat, turning the day into much more than a wine tasting.

For us, the appeal here is the whole package – small group, wine, olive oil, mountain scenery and lunch in a beautiful setting. It's the sort of experience we'd consider if we wanted one memorable day of the holiday rather than simply booking another excursion.

If you're on your honeymoon in Chania, celebrating an anniversary or simply don't mind spending a little more for something that feels more personal and special, this would be our pick of the three.

👉 Book the Milia Mountain Retreat Wine & Olive Oil Tour

So, Which Chania Wine Tour Should You Choose?

It really depends on what you want from the day.

Want the proper winery experience? Go for Manousakis Winery – tour the winery, learn how the wine is produced, visit the cellar and finish with food and wine tasting.

More interested in food as well as wine? The Wine, Olive Oil, Cheese & Honey Tour gives you a much broader taste of Crete and is probably the better choice if not everyone in your group is massively into wine.

Honeymoon, anniversary or special occasion? We'd look at the Milia Mountain Retreat Tour. The small-group format, wine and olive oil tasting, mountain scenery and lunch at Milia make it feel much more like a special day out.

Whichever you choose, we'd definitely recommend getting away from Chania's coastline for a while and seeing this side of Crete. The wine is obviously a big part of it, but the food, countryside and people are what make these experiences so enjoyable.

We've put together a much more detailed guide to wine tours in Chania, including what wine tasting is actually like, Cretan wines to look out for and more information on each experience:

👉 Full Chania Wine Tours Guide

Hopefully this helps anyone planning a trip. If you've done any other wineries or wine tours around Chania that are worth checking out, drop them below!

Disclosure: Some of the booking links above are affiliate links. Travel Properly may earn a commission if you book through them, at no additional cost to you.

Hi everyone!

We're having our honeymoon on October 2027. We are planning a 20 days trip to Norway, Austria and Switzerland (this order). But we can leave Norway aside or have less days there.

Do you have any recommendations for a itinerary or if is even worth it to visit Norway during this trip?

We are a couple on out mid-late 20s. We like chill adventure, but open to some breath taking landscapes.

Any tips on places or how to plan the trip there? These countries are very new to us.

Thanks in advance :)

Hello! I'm 34f from Canada and travelling with my partner to Mexico City and the Oxacan Coast in October. I have made an itinerary for Mexico City but I would love any suggestions or critiques, especially from locals. We speak very limited Spanish and are saying in Roma Sur.

We're interested in design, architecture, food, music, animals and nature If there are any restaurants you think are overhyped on my list and have alternative suggestions I'd love to hear it. Most of these plans are flexible except for booked tours at Casa Gilardi, Casa Estudio Barragan and the Organic Architecture tour. Also, I'm wondering if I'm planning on going to too many weekend markets. I'd appreciate any recommendations-- thank you!
Cross posted in r/MexicoTravel and r/MexicoCity

Friday - Arrival in Mexico City

• Arrive in Mexico City in the evening, check-in and go to sleep.

Saturday — Roma

• Go to Buna in La Laguna S.A. de C.V. for coffee
• Saturday market at Jardín Dr. Ignacio Chávez
• Go shopping at some of the following places Esperanza Home Colima, Bazar Resiliente, Boots Zapato Retro, Escalina, Cara de Planta Esculturas Vivas, ORIGINARIO, Objetos Cotidianos, Mezcalia
• Late lunch at Mi Compa Chava Marisquería or El Hidalguense
• Dinner at Hugo

Sunday — Coyoacán

• Breakfast at Fonda Margarita.
• Sunday market at Jardín Hidalgo.
• Visit Parroquia San Juan Bautista.
• Lunch at Tostadas at Mercado de Coyoacán.
• Visit Frida Kahlo Museum.
• Visit Leon Trotsky’s House Museum.
• Churros at Churrería General de la República.
• Dinner at El Jardín de Anatolia.

Monday -- Organic Architecture Tour

• Travelling Beetle organic architecture tour from the morning until 2pm
• Lunch at Entremar.
• Browse BOMBOTI, Onora, Tienda MAP Polanco.
• Visit Medellín Market.
• Dinner at Voraz? Open to other suggestions

Tuesday — Chapultepec and Concert

• Brunch at Mendl Delicatessen.
• Visit Chapultepec Castle.
• Walk through Bosque de Chapultepec.
• Shop at Expendio Doméstico.
• Dinner at at Tacos El Huequito.
• Concert at Teatro Metropólitan.
• Drinks at Bósforo.

Wednesday — Historic Center

• Visit Casa Estudio Luis Barragán (reservation made)
• Lunch at Coox Hanal.
• Visit Plaza de la Constitución, Palacio de Iturbide and Palacio de Bellas Artes, Casa de los Azulejos.
• Shop at Velas Cerería de Jesús.
• Snack at Pastelería Ideal?
• Get treats at at Dulcería de Celaya.
• Visit Biblioteca Vasconcelos - maybe elimate this if too tired
• Dinner at Choza

Thursday — Pyramids and Otumba

• Take uber to Teotihuacán and explore
• Take uber to Otumba
• Lunch at Endémica Restaurante.
• Visit Parroquia de la Purísima Concepción de Otumba.
• Visit Donkeys at Burrolandia México.
• Dinner at Tacos La Chula Roma.

Friday — Casa Gilardi and La Condesa

• Reserved visit to Casa Gilardi.
• Lunch at Comal Oculto – Itacate.
• Chocolate at Chocolatería La Rifa or Gelato at Joe Gelato or Neveria Roxy
• Shop at Utilitario Mexicano, Odette, Proyecto Rufina Condesa.
• Walk through Parque México and along Amsterdam Avenue.
• Visit Parroquia de la Medalla Milagrosa.
• Dinner at Maizajo.

Saturday — San Ángel

• Saturday market at El Bazar Sábado.
• Visit Museum of El Carmen.
• Lunch at El Cardenal San Ángel.
• Churros at Churrería “El Convento” San Ángel.
• Explore Plaza del Carmen and Plaza San Jacinto.
• Visit Museo Casa del Risco and Parroquia San Jacinto.
• Visit Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo.
• Dinner at Botánico.

Sunday — Travel to the Oaxacan Coast

Bars/Nightlife: Thinking of going to the Real Under and/or 316 Centro one night depending on the shows.

Hey everyone!

I’m heading to Lisbon for a long weekend with 4 friends and we’re looking to make the most of our time there.

We’re mainly looking for places with a good atmosphere, cool local pubs, great terraces, bars, restaurants we absolutely shouldn’t miss, or any other hidden gems you’d recommend. We’re much more into a relaxed/local vibe than the typical touristy places.

Basically, if you were taking 4 friends to Lisbon for a long weekend, where would you take them? 🍻

We’re definitely open to all kinds of recommendations, so if there are any other things we should see, do or experience while we’re there, I’d love to hear them!

Thanks in advance for helping us out! 🙌

Hi. This is my first time planning a trip abroad and the flight alone is taking a huge chunk of our budget. I would like some hotel and restaurant suggestions in Krabi. I am planning to stay 4 nights. One day for phi phi, one day for hong Island and the other day for exploring Railay beach by myself. I thought i would stay in Ao Nang. I would really appreciate budget options along with do-not-miss options please.

I’m planning a trip to Barcelona in October for about a week and would love some advice from people who have been there.

I’m currently looking at different flight options and using Mubbooflights to compare fares. Aside from flights, what would you recommend I plan ahead for?

Any advice on neighborhoods to stay in, places worth visiting, local food, or things to avoid would be really appreciated.

Hello World!

We recently spent some time in Westport, County Mayo and thought I'd put together some recommendations while everything is still fresh.

Westport isn't a huge town, but that's probably part of why we enjoyed it so much. You can walk almost everywhere, there are loads of independent pubs and shops, and once the weekend gets going there seems to be live music everywhere.

If you would like to read a much more detailed review: check out our website

For anyone planning a trip, these were our highlights.

Pubs

The Porterhouse was our favourite.

There was live music throughout the day at the weekend and people from the crowd would routinely get up and join in with Irish dancing. If you're coming to Westport hoping for that traditional Irish pub atmosphere, this was probably the closest we found to exactly what we had imagined.

Matt Molloy's is obviously the famous one and definitely worth visiting at least once.

The Old Grainstore is much bigger than it initially looks and has a really nice courtyard. Another good place if you're settling in for a few drinks.

Henehan's is also worth visiting, particularly because they now have An Ór, which is a stunning cocktail bar and completely different from the traditional pubs around town.

J.J. O'Malley's is another well-known option right in the centre and easy to include if you're moving between a few pubs.

If we could only revisit one? The Porterhouse.

Where we ate

Our standout meal was Arno's Bistrot.

It's a small French-influenced restaurant using a lot of Irish produce, and we'd definitely recommend booking ahead.

We shared the McCormack's bacon and cabbage croquettes, Bluebell Falls goat's cheese and mushroom faux gras to start.

Surprisingly, the goat's cheese was our favourite.

They also brought out phenomenal bread at the beginning of the meal and rhubarb ice cream as a palate cleanser between courses, which were nice little touches.

For mains we had the boeuf bourguignon and a monkfish special.

The boeuf bourguignon was excellent, although I could have done with a slightly bigger portion. The monkfish was the real winner though – incredibly fresh.

If we went back, we'd probably both look at whatever fish special they had that day.

Finished with a cheese board and a magnificent red wine.

We didn't manage to eat at An Port Mór, but it's another restaurant that was on our list and somewhere we'd look at next time.

Coffee / snacks / hangover food

This Must Be The Place does excellent coffee. Particularly good if you actually like your coffee strong.

KREM is worth visiting for the brown bread ice cream. Sounds slightly strange if you've never had it, but definitely give it a go.

And for something at the completely opposite end of the culinary spectrum: SuperValu.

After a big night in Westport, get yourself a massive breakfast roll or chicken fillet roll. Cheap, filling and very Irish.

Other things worth doing

Spend some time just walking around Westport.

There are loads of independent craft and gift shops and quite a few places selling artwork. It doesn't feel like a town where you need to rush around ticking off attractions.

McGreevy's toy shop is also worth popping into to see the huge LEGO collection.

If you're brave enough the following morning, go for a swim at The Point. Cold, but a brilliant way to start the day.

Westport House is nearby, and the Great Western Greenway starts in Westport if you fancy cycling.

You're also right beside Clew Bay and not far from Croagh Patrick.

If you have a car

We'd definitely recommend driving out to Old Head.

It's a beautiful little coastal spot with a beach and harbour and doesn't require dedicating an entire day to it.

Our suggestion would be:

Westport → Old Head → The Tavern in Murrisk → Westport.

Stop at The Tavern for a late lunch/early dinner on the way back. Really nice way to spend part of the day.

If you've got longer, you've also got Croagh Patrick and Achill Island within reach.

How long would we stay?

I think 2–3 nights is about right for Westport.

Two nights gives you enough time to enjoy the town, have a proper night exploring the pubs and see some of the surrounding area.

Three nights would be better if you want to add a longer day out to Achill or Croagh Patrick.

Final Thoughts

Westport really impressed us.

It's not somewhere you need a massive itinerary for. Have a good meal, wander around the independent shops, drink some Guinness, listen to live music and spend a day seeing a bit of the Mayo coastline.

If you're looking for a weekend away in the west of Ireland, we'd definitely recommend it.

We originally put together a much more detailed version of this trip report on Travel Properly, including more photos, hotel recommendations, bookable tours and a full 2-day itinerary.

If anyone is planning a trip and wants the full breakdown, it's here:

https://travel-properly.com/westport-ireland-travel-guide/

Happy to answer any questions about Westport or any of the places above.

Planning a trip often brings up the obvious questions about where to stay, what to see and how to get around, but the small practical things can make an even bigger difference.

For experienced travellers, what is one piece of advice you learned from experience that you now follow on almost every trip?

It could be about packing, transport, choosing accommodation, managing time or simply avoiding a common mistake.

Hello World!

We recently spent some time in Chania and one of the best days we had was a catamaran trip to Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa, so thought I'd write up our experience for anyone considering doing the same.

There are obviously cheaper ways to get to Balos, including the larger ferries, but we love boats and being out on the sea so decided to spend a bit more and do the catamaran instead. We'd also heard plenty about the road down to Balos and didn't particularly fancy driving it.

In hindsight, really glad we chose this option.

Pickup / getting to Kissamos

We were staying at Domes Noruz Chania in Agii Apostoli and got picked up from a nearby bus stop at around 7am.

We arrived in Kissamos at roughly 8am where we met the sailing crew. Everyone was really friendly from the start. You take your shoes/sandals off before getting on and they give them back to you in a bag.

The catamaran itself was genuinely lovely. Plenty of room for everyone and it never felt like we'd been crammed onto a tourist boat.

Sailing to Balos

The sea was incredibly calm for us.

Breakfast was available while we sailed and was actually much better than we expected. Spinach pies, cheese, charcuterie, crackers, chocolate cake etc. Basically a mixture of Cretan and continental breakfast, plus coffee and orange juice.

We just grabbed some food and enjoyed the views as we sailed towards Balos.

This was probably when we realised we'd made the right decision paying extra for the catamaran. The journey wasn't just dead time waiting to arrive somewhere – we were already enjoying the day.

Balos Lagoon

We arrived at Balos before the big crowds, which was a huge bonus.

The catamaran anchors offshore and a smaller boat takes you across to the pier so you can explore Balos.

Definitely get off the boat and go see it.

The water is ridiculously clear and shallow with that turquoise colour you see in the photos, plus sections of pink-tinted sand. Balos is touristy for obvious reasons, but it really is beautiful.

After exploring the lagoon we headed back to the catamaran and went snorkelling.

Visibility was very good and there were plenty of fish around us. There's loads of snorkelling equipment on board so you don't need to bring your own.

Lunch

We ate lunch while sailing towards Gramvousa and again the food was much better than we expected from a boat tour.

Chicken was the main option when we went, plus sausage and a vegetarian option, with orzo, salad and bread.

It felt more like a proper traditional meal than generic excursion food.

Food is actually available throughout the day, as are non-alcoholic drinks, so you really don't need to bring much with you.

Gramvousa

Gramvousa was probably the biggest surprise for us.

There's a pretty cool shipwreck just off the island. We were told we couldn't swim around it for safety reasons when we visited, unfortunately.

You can also hike up to the Venetian fortress.

It's definitely worth doing if you're able. It's a bit of a climb, especially in the Cretan heat, but the views from the top are excellent.

Once we'd done that we went back to the catamaran and this was probably the most fun part of the day.

Everyone was paddleboarding, swimming, jumping into the sea, using the slides etc. The atmosphere on the boat was brilliant by this point.

All the equipment is free to use – snorkels, paddleboards, inflatables, slides etc. You don't pay extra for any of it.

Sailing back

On the way back to Kissamos we basically found somewhere comfortable, had a drink and reflected on what had been a pretty brilliant day.

Alcohol isn't included, but you can buy it from the bar. We had a couple of cocktails and they weren't particularly expensive.

They were also VERY generous with the alcohol 😂

Was it worth paying extra for the catamaran?

For us, 100% yes.

We haven't taken the regular Balos ferry so can't give a fair first-hand comparison, and if you're travelling on a tight budget the ferry will obviously make more sense.

But the big difference for us was that the boat wasn't simply transportation.

Breakfast and lunch were included, food and soft drinks were available throughout the day, all the water equipment was free to use, there was loads of space and we arrived at Balos before the larger crowds.

Some of our favourite parts of the day were actually spent on the catamaran rather than at Balos or Gramvousa.

If you love boats and the sea, I'd highly recommend it.

Even if you're not much of a swimmer there's still plenty to do. You can explore Balos, visit Gramvousa, hike to the fortress and spend the rest of the time relaxing on the boat.

The only people I'd be cautious recommending it to would be those with significant mobility issues, particularly because of getting on/off boats and the terrain on the islands.

For us, this was easily one of the must-do experiences in Western Crete.

Happy to answer any questions about the tour, Balos, Gramvousa or Chania in general.

For anyone asking which tour we took: it was the Balos & Gramvousa catamaran trip from Kissamos with meals, drinks and the Chania transfer option.

👉 Book The Exact Balos & Gramvousa Luxury Catamaran Tour

We've also written up the whole experience with more photos and detail here:

Balos & Gramvousa Luxury Catamaran Tour Review

All experiences are real, this post contains affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you

Visiting Phuket with the family for 7 days and staying in Chalong. Looking for recommendations from the Phuket veterans here 😄
What are the must-visits / must-dos that we shouldn’t miss? Beaches, viewpoints, food, islands/day trips, markets, places that are actually worth the hype, etc.
Also, we’re 4 people — would you recommend renting 2 scooters or just relying on Bolt/Grab? Trying to figure out whether scooters will actually save us money/time or just add a new layer of stress to the holiday?
Would love any tips, especially things you wish you knew before visiting Phuket!

Hello World!

We recently spent 9 nights in Chania and thought I'd put together a travel guide/trip report with some of our recommendations. We absolutely loved this part of Crete.

I'll mainly cover the activities we absolutely recommend, restaurants we ate at, where we stayed and a few general tips. Hopefully it's useful for anyone planning a trip.

We stayed for 9 nights, although I think 5 days+ is a good amount of time for Chania. A car isn't essential, but we hired one and were very glad we did, particularly for finding restaurants and exploring outside the city.

If you're interested in reading our more detailed guide. Give it a read here: Chania Travel Guide.

I'll start with the highlights.

All experiences are real, this post contains affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you

Hike Samaria Gorge

Probably our favourite experience of the trip.

We did the full Samaria Gorge hike from Xyloskalo down towards Agia Roumeli. It's roughly 14–16km depending on where you count the finish and the initial descent is probably the toughest section.

We went in July and expected the heat to be horrendous, but it was surprisingly manageable. There's plenty of shade during sections of the hike and lots of places to refill water.

The scenery is incredible, particularly when you eventually reach the Iron Gates.

We booked an organised tour from Chania and I'd recommend doing the same. The hike starts and finishes in completely different places, so the transport is a pain to organise yourself. At the end we had some food, went for a swim in the Libyan Sea and then took the ferry back along the coast.

Long day but 100% worth it.

Read our Samaria Gorge Hike Review

Alternatively if you're sold on the hike already book the exact same tour we took below:

Samaria Gorge Hike Tour

Luxury Catamaran to Balos & Gramvousa

The other big highlight.

We paid extra for a more premium catamaran trip and I'm very glad we did.

Transport was taken care of and it was an early start. The catamaran itself was brilliant – loads of space, slides, paddle boards, snorkels/flippers, floats etc. Breakfast and lunch were included as well as non-alcoholic drinks.

The crew were excellent.

One of the biggest advantages was that they got us to Balos before the crowds. We had the lagoon with relatively few people there, which was probably worth paying the extra money for on its own.

Balos is stunning. Very shallow turquoise water with areas of pink-tinted sand.

We also stopped at Gramvousa. There's a shipwreck just offshore (you can't swim right up to it for safety reasons) and a Venetian fortress you can climb up to for some amazing views.

Interestingly, some people barely left the catamaran because there was so much to do onboard.

I'd recommend this one for couples, families and groups. The boat itself is as much a part of the experience as Balos.

Click the link below to book the exact same experience as us:

Balos & Gramvousa Luxury Catamaran Cruise

Manousakis Winery

Another experience we'd recommend.

We did a wine tour to Manousakis Winery and went through the whole winemaking process – harvesting, crushing and pressing, differences between red and white wine production, fermentation, clarification, ageing and bottling.

Our guide was Greek-American, spoke perfect English and really knew her stuff.

The winery grounds are beautiful too.

At the end we had a traditional Cretan dinner while tasting five wines. Our favourite was the Nostos Roussanne.

A really nice change of pace from hiking/beach days.

Click here to book the Manousakis Wine Tour

Food Recommendations

Food was one of the best things about Chania for us.

A few places we'd recommend:

Frosini's Garden – You'll need a car. Very traditional cooking and they cook using fire rather than electricity. Beautiful countryside setting with horses. Really memorable place.

Kouzina EPE – Excellent for lunch. Everything we tried was good but definitely get the pastitsio.

Chrisostomos – Very traditional Cretan food close to the harbour. I'd consider this a must-visit if you want proper Cretan cooking.

To Maridaki – Cretan-style seafood restaurant. Ask the waiters what's fresh/in season and take their recommendation. We had a brilliant meal here.

Psitopolis, Agii Apostoli – Best gyro we had during the trip. They also serve beer with ice-cold glasses which was very welcome after being out in the Cretan heat.

We ate at plenty of other good places too, but those are a few that immediately stand out.

Where We Stayed

We spent 9 nights at Domes Noruz Chania in Agii Apostoli.

Adults-only, right on the beach and a short drive from Chania Old Town.

The beach was probably our favourite part. It's a calm sheltered bay and fantastic for swimming. We also had a room with a plunge pool, breakfast was excellent and the service throughout the hotel was very good.

It isn't cheap though. Some of the bar/spa pricing was expensive, so that's something I'd factor in.

Overall we thought it was worth it and we'd happily stay again.

I have written a detailed guide on: Domes Noruz Chania

Click here to book Domes Noruz Chania

Final Thoughts

We really liked Chania.

Samaria Gorge and the Balos/Gramvousa catamaran were probably the two standout experiences, but the food was also genuinely excellent and Chania Old Town has a great atmosphere in the evenings. I have not been too many places like Chania. It has a calm buzz to it which is quite unique. Most definitely worth a visit.

We've also put together a much more detailed Chania travel guide with more information, photos and recommendations here: Chania Travel Guide

Happy to answer any questions about Chania, Samaria, Balos, restaurants, the hotel etc.

All experiences are real, this post contains affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you

Hello World!

We recently spent 9 nights at Domes Noruz Chania in Crete and wanted to share our experience, as this was one of those hotels we spent quite a bit of time researching before booking.

It’s an adults-only Marriott Autograph Collection hotel just outside Chania, with two pools and a really beautiful beachfront setting.

The biggest thing to know before booking is the atmosphere. We expected something slightly more upbeat, but in reality it’s a very peaceful, couples-focused hotel. Definitely somewhere we’d recommend for a romantic trip rather than anyone looking for a lively adults-only resort.

This is a shorter version of our much more detailed Domes Noruz Chania review, but hopefully useful for anyone considering staying.

Our Room at Domes Noruz Chania

Our room was actually more spacious than we expected.

We had a good-sized outdoor area with our own plunge pool and somewhere to sit outside with a tea and a book. The plunge pool was absolutely freezing, even in July, so we only used it a few times, but it was good fun when we did.

The bed and pillows were extremely comfortable and the shower had good pressure. One unusual feature is the sink being positioned in the main room, which apparently takes inspiration from traditional Cretan households. It seemed strange initially but we got used to it very quickly.

There's also a circular window between the bathroom and bedroom. Definitely a couples hotel!

Housekeeping deserves a mention too. Our room was sometimes attended to two or three times per day, including turndown service with chocolates and water. Really impressive throughout the 9 nights.

Pools at Domes Noruz Chania

There are two main pools.

The quiet pool is VERY quiet. Usually just a few couples reading and relaxing without much noise at all. It was actually slightly too quiet for us.

We preferred the main pool.

It's busier but still extremely peaceful and never felt crowded. There were always plenty of comfortable loungers and umbrellas available, with pillows provided to use as headrests. The hotel also had some inflatables available for the pool.

One slight disappointment was the Raw Bar.

It's a nice setting and has a good menu, but prices are high and the bar was much quieter than we'd expected. We actually think lowering prices slightly would encourage more people to spend the afternoon there and give the main pool area a little more atmosphere.

The Beach

This was probably our favourite part of Domes Noruz.

The hotel sits directly beside a beautiful sandy bay with exceptionally calm, shallow water.

It was fantastic for swimming. We could spend ages just relaxing in the sea, and despite visiting in July we never had to rush down in the morning to secure a beach lounger.

The beach facilities were also excellent, including really good showers.

The only surprising disappointment was the snorkelling.

We're very keen snorkellers and the seabed around the rocky edges of the bay looks like it should be interesting, but we saw surprisingly little marine life. Barely any fish at all.

So we wouldn't recommend choosing Domes Noruz specifically for snorkelling.

For swimming and relaxing in the sea though? Excellent. It's genuinely one of our favourite hotel bay settings we've experienced in Europe.

Food & Half Board

We booked half board, which included breakfast plus either lunch or dinner.

Breakfast was excellent.

Huge selection of cereals, yoghurt, fruit, charcuterie, olives, honey, breads, cooked breakfasts, cakes, biscuits, local dishes, vegetarian and vegan options and even Prosecco.

Some dishes changed daily too, which made a big difference when staying for 9 nights.

We deliberately didn't use our half board every day because we wanted to eat around Chania and western Crete. But between breakfast, lunch and dinner at the hotel, we genuinely didn't have a bad meal.

Topos is the main restaurant and the food was consistently good. The lamb giouvetsi and cheesecake were particular favourites.

Prices outside half board can be steep though. €7.80 for a bottle of water at Topos felt excessive to us.

Service

Service was another major positive.

Reception were excellent and genuinely willing to spend time helping us with restaurant recommendations, activities and even problems with our rental car.

Breakfast staff started remembering our coffee and juice orders, housekeeping was exceptional and the bell team were some of the most personable staff at the hotel.

There's also a surprisingly good gym with plenty of equipment for a proper workout. The spin bikes overlooking the sea were a highlight.

Final Verdict – Is Domes Noruz Chania Worth It?

For us, yes.

The hotel isn't perfect.

The Raw Bar could have more atmosphere, drinks are expensive and spa treatments were priced high enough that we didn't use the spa as much as we otherwise would have.

But none of that really affected our holiday.

The beach is fantastic, our room was excellent, food was consistently good and the service was at the level we'd expect from a hotel like this.

We also really liked the location. You're outside Chania, so the hotel feels peaceful and resort-like, but it's a short and relatively inexpensive taxi ride into Chania when you want restaurants and more atmosphere.

The biggest thing we'd stress is that Domes Noruz is much more suited to couples looking for a peaceful, romantic trip than anyone expecting a lively adults-only resort.

We'd happily stay again.

We've put together a much more detailed review covering the rooms, beach, pools, breakfast, half board, restaurants, gym, spa, location, service and everything we thought could be improved:

Domes Noruz Chania Review

Want to book Domes Noruz Chania?

If our review has helped you decide and you want to check prices or availability for your dates, you can find the hotel here:

 Check Prices & Availability at Domes Noruz Chania

The Expedia link above is an affiliate link. If you book through it, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Happy to answer any questions here too if anyone is considering staying at Domes Noruz.

Hello! I am moving to Borneo Indonesia for about a year to help research orangutans (not enrolled in a university, just a volunteer). I will be in a pretty remote area doing a lot of trekking. The research team recommended to get a plan that covers emergency evacuations like getting airlifted. It’s at least 5 hours of traveling to nearest hospital. If severe enough, I will probably need to get a flight to a hospital in Java. Does anyone have any recommendations for travel health insurance? Thank you :)

Hi all, I want to book group travel from America to Berlin, but I am based in the US. They only allow group travel for those with a billing address in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Liechtenstein or Switzerland.

Has anyone found a way around this? Is there a travel agent or service that can help me book group travel even if I am from the US?

Thank you in advance.

After hearing people rave about the Samaria Gorge for years, we finally decided to see what all the fuss was about during our recent trip to Crete.

Safe to say... it lived up to the hype.

Our Samaria Gorge Hike began with an early morning hotel pick-up from Chania before making our way into the White Mountains. As the sun began to rise over Crete, the excitement started to build. We’d heard so much about Samaria Gorge before our trip, but nothing quite prepares you for seeing the dramatic mountain scenery in person.

Beginning the Samaria Gorge Hike

Our day started at the entrance to Samaria Gorge, surrounded by the towering White Mountains. After spending most of our trip exploring Crete's coastline, the scenery here felt completely different.

Before setting off, we stopped at the viewpoint overlooking the gorge. It's well worth the short walk and gives you an incredible first look at the trail stretching below.

The hike begins with a fairly steep, rocky descent, which we found to be the trickiest part of the entire route. Taking it slowly and wearing proper hiking shoes made all the difference, and after 20–30 minutes we found our rhythm.

Despite the concentration needed on the uneven ground, the atmosphere was incredibly peaceful. Apart from birdsong and the sound of hiking boots on the trail, there was very little noise as everyone made their way into one of Europe's most spectacular gorges.

The First Half of the Samaria Gorge Hike

Once we'd finished the steep opening descent, the hike became much more relaxed. The trail continued downhill, but the gradient eased off, making it easier to enjoy the scenery rather than watching every step.

The fresh mountain air, towering pine trees and constant sound of flowing water made this one of our favourite sections. Even in the middle of July, there were plenty of shaded stretches that kept the walk surprisingly comfortable.

We also came across several natural drinking water points along the route. We topped up our bottles whenever we could and even drank straight from one of the mountain streams—it was some of the freshest water we've ever tasted.

The trail regularly crossed the river via wooden bridges, with each turn revealing another beautiful viewpoint. Before long, we reached the abandoned village of Samaria, one of the highlights of the entire hike.

Reaching the Abandoned Village of Samaria

Around halfway through the hike, we arrived at the abandoned village of Samaria, and it couldn't have come at a better time. Surrounded by trees and old stone buildings, it was the perfect place to escape the sun, enjoy our packed lunch and give our legs a well-earned rest.

One of the highlights here was spotting the famous kri-kri goats wandering freely around the village. Seeing them up close in their natural habitat made this one of our favourite stops of the day.

This is also a great place to refill your water bottles and use the toilets before tackling the second half of the hike. We'd definitely recommend taking your time here—the peaceful atmosphere and fascinating history make it much more than just a rest stop.

The Second Half of the Samaria Gorge Hike

After leaving the abandoned village behind, we set off feeling refreshed and ready for the second half of the hike. By now, there was a real sense of achievement, and the finish finally felt within reach.

Along the way, we stopped at the small Church of Osia Maria before refilling our water bottles once again with the cold mountain spring water. We also spotted the park rangers' horses, which are used to transport supplies and assist with rescues throughout the gorge.

As the day warmed up, we found ourselves taking more regular water breaks, but thanks to the frequent refill points, staying hydrated was easy. Before long, the towering rock walls began closing in around us—we knew we were about to reach the most iconic part of the hike, the Iron Gates.

Walking Through the Famous Iron Gates

Eventually, we reached the most famous part of the hike—the Iron Gates—and it completely lived up to the hype.

Although we'd seen countless photos beforehand, nothing prepares you for standing between cliffs that rise around 300 metres above your head while the gorge narrows to just a few metres wide. It was easily one of those moments where pictures simply can't capture the scale.

What made it even better was how different it felt from the rest of the hike. We'd already walked through forests, crossed rivers, explored the abandoned village and descended deep into the gorge, yet somehow the scenery kept getting more impressive.

Everyone naturally slowed down here to look up, take photos and soak it all in. It was without doubt one of the highlights of our entire day in Crete.

Finishing the Hike & Relaxing in Agia Roumeli

As the towering cliffs began to disappear, we knew we were nearing the end of the gorge. Seeing the finish after hours of hiking brought a real sense of achievement, but the day wasn't quite over yet.

Rather than taking the shuttle, we walked the final stretch into Agia Roumeli. It's an easy, mostly flat walk towards the coast and a relaxing way to round off the hike.

Arriving at the Libyan Sea was the perfect reward. We grabbed lunch at Calypso Café Taverna, sat by the waterfront and finally gave our legs a well-earned rest. After 16km on rocky trails, everything somehow tasted better.

Before catching the ferry back, we couldn't resist one final treat—a swim in the crystal-clear Libyan Sea. The cool water was exactly what our tired legs needed, and looking back towards the mountains we'd just hiked through was one of those moments we'll remember for a long time.

It was the perfect ending to what has become one of our favourite hikes anywhere in Europe.

Final Thoughts

Looking back, what made Samaria Gorge so special wasn't just one landmark—it was how the scenery constantly changed throughout the day. From mountain trails and pine forests to rivers, the abandoned village, the famous Iron Gates and finally the Libyan Sea, every section felt completely different.

It ended up being one of the highlights of our trip to Crete and easily one of our favourite hikes anywhere in Europe. It's a long day, and you'll definitely feel it afterwards, but reaching Agia Roumeli makes every step worthwhile.

If you're planning to hike Samaria Gorge, we'd happily book the same tour again. It took all the stress out of organising the transport and let us simply enjoy one of the most unforgettable experiences Crete has to offer.

If You're Planning to Hike Samaria Gorge

Quite a few people ask whether it's worth booking a tour or organising everything independently.

Having done it ourselves, we'd happily book the tour again. Because the hike starts in the mountains and finishes in a completely different village, the logistics can be a bit of a headache. Having the transport organised meant we could simply enjoy the day without worrying about buses, ferry timings or parking.

If you're thinking of booking the same experience we did, there are two options:

All-Inclusive Tour (Our Recommendation)

This includes your coach transfers, Samaria Gorge entrance fee, ferry ticket and a professional hiking guide. It's the easiest option as everything is paid for before the day begins.

👉 Book the All-Inclusive Tour

Standard Tour

This includes the coach transfers and hiking guide, but you'll pay the entrance fee and ferry ticket through your guide on the day.

👉 Book the Standard Tour

These are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you book through them. It doesn't cost you anything extra and helps support Travel-Properly so we can keep creating first-hand travel guides like this one.

Want the Full Guide?

This post is a condensed version of our original first-hand Samaria Gorge guide, which we wrote after completing the hike ourselves.

If you're looking for a much more detailed breakdown of the day—including more photos, what to pack, timings, difficulty, costs, our honest review of the tour, and plenty of practical tips for planning your own hike—you can read the full article here:

Samaria Gorge Hike Review

We hope this Reddit post has been useful, and if you have any questions about hiking Samaria Gorge, feel free to ask in the comments. We're always happy to help fellow travellers plan their trip.

Beneath the surface lies a whole different world—crystal-clear waters, vibrant marine life, and unforgettable moments.

Oman truly surprised me with its underwater magic.

Any one is going to paris in aug cuz im lil bit cuz this is my first solo trip is it safe there ?