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Situated south of the mainland, Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and a destination in itself, with 650 miles of spectacular coastline, sweeping beaches, fertile plains and a mountainous spine. On the same latitude as Tunisia, one of the reasons it is so popular is its temperate Mediterranean climate, with long hot summers cooled by breezes from the high mountains. Islanders are known for their loyalty, generosity and fierce independence – as well as their delicious ‘Cretan Diet’. All this makes for a wonderfully relaxing holiday, complete with shaded village squares, olive trees, wild orchids, dolphins and ancient Minoan ruins. Hiring a car for a few days will give you the freedom to explore the rugged interior, with its white sailed windmills and charming mountain villages.

The countryside is at its most colourful in April and May and, though the weather can be changeable, it is usually sunny and warm during the day, with the added benefit of few tourists. The island heats up during June and early July, with almost guaranteed sunshine and no crowds, whilst from mid-July to the end of August the island is at its hottest and busiest. In September the crowds diminish but the island remains warm and popular, with the season winding down during October – after which most places are closed until March.

We recommend staying on the less developed western side of Megalonisos, the ‘Great Island’ that was allegedly the birthplace of Zeus. The north-west coast has excellent beaches and many traditional villages in the foothills of the White Mountains. Here you can stay in Kalyves or Almyrida near the historic harbour town of Chania. If you’d like to sample the rugged south-west coast with its dizzy mountain scenery, then stay in the towns of Paleochora or Loutro, where the transfer is a scenic 2.5 hour cruise along this dramatic coastline.

The north coast offers miles of sandy beaches and many atmospheric seaside villages such as Panormos. More luxurious accommodation available in the attractive town of Rethymno, which is dominated by a huge fort and offers a picture perfect combination of cobbled streets lined with boutiques, Venetian and Turkish architecture and a fabulous sandy beach. Further east, the lively town of Aghios Nikolaos also offers luxury accommodation. It has a picturesque port and, according to legend, a bottomless lake, but as the roads are steep, this is not suitable for anyone with mobility issues. Being such a varied island, it is certainly worth considering a two-centre holiday - perhaps spending one week on the north coast and a second week elsewhere on the island.

Many water sports are available along the coast and there is an 18-hole golf course at Hersonissos. You can also take a one day mini-cruise to the spectacular island of Santorini in the nearby Cyclades.

Any holiday to Crete should include a trip to the interior. From Panormos you can take a gentle ride on the “road train” to the small villages in the foothills of the White Mountains, with their tiny chapels filled with frescos and where time seems to have stood still. At 2,700 above sea level, the fertile Lassithi Plateau is known for its white sailed windmills and the stunning Samaria Gorge, with its scenic 11 mile hiking trail.

PRICING

Price is based on two adults sharing en-suite accommodation on a self-catering or B&B basis. Flights from London are included, with other regional departures on request. Airport transfers in Greece are also included. Car hire is available on request.

We offer a choice of hotels at different prices, so please discuss your requirements with us. All hotels are subject to availability.

It is essential that you have personal holiday insurance and an appropriate driving licence, if you intend to hire a car. The FCO should also be consulted.