Sunflower Landscapes of Western Crete: A Countryside Guide (Sunflower Guides)

Rating:
Summary: Superb guides from Sunflower Landscapes
Review: Jonnie Godfrey and Elizabeth Karslake's superb guides to Crete, eastern and western, are my first introductions to the Sunflower Landscapes guides. On the basis of these two guides, I would not hesitate to purchase any of the other Sunflower Landscapes guides to other travel destinations.

My wife's sister married a Greek; they live in Iraklion, and my wife and I have spent more than eight weeks together (so far) on Crete at various times, travelling with them or on our own. I have done several of the hikes described in the guide for Western Crete, and I can attest to the accuracy and usefulness of the trail descriptions. The descriptions include frank and accurate assessments of ease or difficulty and, most usefully, sections where those who are vertigo-prone may experience difficulties (my wife has this problem; I had to talk her through the tricky section on the Loutro-Sfakia trail which is flagged in the guide and of which there is no mention in Loraine Wilson's guide). The blurb on the back cover says the books cover "walks for all ages and abilities," and this is absolutely true. Best of all, at the back of each book is a fairly detailed foldout road map of Crete on which are indicated all the walks, car tours, and picnic sites covered in the book, making it quick and easy to locate an outing described in the text, or to check out what is recommended for a particular location which one might be visiting. These two little books contain much more detailed and practical information for the car tourist and hiker than you will find in any other guides to Crete that I've seen. Very well laid out, easy to use, and excellent value for money.