Crete is a fantastic travel destination. The largest of the Greek islands, Crete is full of warmth, history, culture, irresistible food, great beauty and an enviable pace of life. Close to your villa, you’ll find a shop, coffee shop, bar and two restaurants in the Kokkino Chorio village, a beautifully quiet destination where you can sink into a slower way of life.
A five-minute drive away is Plaka village – here you’ll find all the shops, supermarkets, restaurants and bars you desire. Plaka is a great stop if you want to try international fare as well as traditional local dishes. As you might expect when living on an island, a huge selling point is the endless array of beaches. Spend a day swimming, sunbathing sensibly, diving, snorkelling, reading and relaxing amongst Cretan beauty. Close by you’ll find the mysteriously named ‘Secret Beach’ which is small but perfectly secluded and may feel like a rare find for your party. There are also shops, seafront restaurants and watersports to partake in making this a great destination for a day of both quiet calm and adrenaline-raising adventure. Consider paddle boarding, windsurfing, sailing, jet-skiing or a serene trip out on a pedalo.
Other beaches worth exploring are Agia, Marina, Platanias, Maleme, Falasarna and Kasteli. With a car at your disposal, all of the wonders of the island are before you.
Head to the city of Chania where you can immerse yourself in history and culture. Here you can check out the lighthouse or maritime museum. For younger guests, Chania’s Minoa’s World is well worth a visit – it’s a glorious 9D experience that highlights the history of ancient Greece in a fully immersive way that brings history to life. The large town of Rethymnon is also well worth a visit and offers a flavour of something unique having a history and culture heavily influenced by Venice, Italy.
If you’re looking for captivating landscapes, Balos and Elafonisi are famous around the world for their bountiful beaches and languid lagoons. It’s an hour-and-a-half drive to make it to these beautiful locations and absolutely worth it. If you’re more of a night owl, Crete has the party scene locked down. Chania is certainly the place to be if you want a wild night out. If you’re looking for an island that embodies culture, history, ravishing beauty, mountains, beaches, monuments and magic, look no further than Crete.