A day in Elafonissi

Elafonissi is the most south-western tip of Crete, and it is a spectacular location and well worth a day-trip.
From Paleochora there are two different routes, depending on what kind of vehicle you have. If you're lucky enough to have access to a four-wheel-drive, then you can take the road close to the sea via the mountains. If you have a normal car, you need to drive inland, first towards Kandanos, then towards Elos, and then South again towards Elafonissi. Whichever way you go, it will take you the best part of 90 minutes to get there.

But I guarantee, you are not going to regret it.
Elafonissi has a wide stretch of sandy beach and dunes, protected by a small island that becomes accessible at low tide. In the summer, people wade across to find their own spot on the island, and spend the day. A picnic is all you need - bring a coolbox and a couple of blankets, and you're set for the day.

A day-trip to the ancient ruins of Lissos

A day-trip to Irini Gorge

A day-trip to the Botanical Park of Crete

Botanical Park of Crete

15th km from National Road of Hania

Fournes, Omalos, Crete - Mobile phone: 6976860573

We went on a sunny day in November, but the Park is an attraction for most of the year, especially of course in late summer/early autumn when many of the trees are heavy with ripe fruit.

Autumn temperatures in South-West Crete

As you can see, in the middle of November 2012 it is warm and sunny enough to sun-bathe and swim in the sea. There has been one badly needed day of rain (more like half a day and a night), but apart from that, it has been warm enough to walk around in a t-shirt and to be outside on the veranda. Around sunset you start needing a jumper or jacket, but the rest of the day is mild and pleasant.
It has to be said, it is currently unusually warm for this time of year, as by now the temperature would have turned, and it would normally be too cold to swim comfortably. Here is a good year-round summary for the weather in West Crete (although where we are it's a bit more sunny  throughout the year  than that summary suggests).