Crete - myths, legends and sunshine!
I felt a little guilty that I had only allowed one week and wish my schedule could have stretched to the three weeks that this - the largest island of the Greek archipelago – deserves. In fact it should probably be viewed as a distinct tourist destination from the rest of the Greek islands. Its southerly location gives it one of the longest holiday seasons in the Mediterranean and direct flights from the UK stretch from March right to the end of October.
Spring is the most colourful time to visit Crete with the sun melting the snows on the island’s dramatic White Mountain range and giving rise to a profusion of wildflowers and herbs and the wonderful scents that linger around the island throughout the warm summer months. It’s also a great time to plan walking trips, before the sun is too strong. There are almost endless options from the spectacular Samaria Gorge to donkey trails that meander through ancient olive groves and villages where time seems to have stood still.
A 650 km coastline offers a similarly endless choice of beaches from wild surf beaches to calm inlets with barely a ripple. And with an average of 300 days of sunshine every year, you’re unlikely to be disappointed. Especially as Crete goes to great lengths to ensure it meets Blue Flag standards with environmental and education initiatives to tackle litter and water quality combined with safety measures to ensure a great beach experience for swimmers!
It’s not entirely surprising that this island gem has been fought over for millennia. Its vivid recorded history started with the legendary Minoan civilisation which was wiped out around 1400BC. Their elaborate culture has intrigued and inspired people ever since – the vast palace at Knossos was Europe's first to have paved roads and running water. And the Greeks elaborated it further with myths of Poseidon and King Minos whose feuding led to the birth of the terrifying Minotaur and the creation of its labyrinth home beneath the palace. Since then, the island has passed through the hands of Romans, Venetians, and Turks and only officially became a part of Greece prior to the First World War. Crete saw brutal fighting during WWII and many of the mountain villages have been deserted ever since.
Things have calmed down in Crete in the intervening years and it is now the perfect place to come and unwind. And, when I brought my kids here - to one of my favourite countries, for the very first time - that is exactly what we did. Arriving here from Scotland in July, with the sun at its highest, I was nervous as to how they would react to such a radical change of climate. I needn't have worried. They took gladly to the water which was a perfect temperature with a cooling breeze coming off it to take the edge off the sun. Adopting the Greek pace of life, with early morning swims and slow lazy days with long shaded lunches, is the ultimate coping strategy, not just to deal with the heat, but also to leave north European cares behind.
We chose the lovely resort of Aldemar Knossos Royal which is an easy transfer from the airport and located right on the beach. The hotel had a lively family atmosphere, with plenty of activities on offer for the children to take part in if they wanted to. There are a choice of standard, VIP sharing pool, or family rooms at the Royal Knossos. There are also some lovely Royal Villas which either have a private pool or share a pool between two or three other villas. Our family room was really spacious with a separate lounge area with two sofa beds. It was fantastic having an all-inclusive deal for the kids to pick up drinks whenever they wanted to keep hydrated. The food here gets excellent reviews, and we weren't disappointed with plenty of choice of traditional dishes, a wonderful range of salads, freshly prepared fish and the menu refreshed every day.
Whilst I was there I indulged in a visit to the Aldemar Royal Mare Hotel and Thalasso Spa Resort which is just next door but has a very different atmosphere. A luxury resort, suited to couples, or those with very small children. The emphasis is on relaxation and pampering, as well as good food and luxurious surroundings. I was treated to an aromatic hydro-jet bath in the world-leading Thalsso Spa followed by a hydrating body scrub and massage which literally left me feeling like I was floating on air with the softest skin ever. I can honestly say it is the best Spa treatment I have ever had and I highly recommend it for a special occasion – such as a birthday celebration or pre-wedding treat.
A long weekend spent being pampered at this hotel would be the ultimate self-indulgent experience! The choice of rooms here varies from standard doubles to VIP rooms which share exclusive private pools. There are over 25 pools in total spread over the resort as well as 11 clay tennis courts, although July is, perhaps, not the ideal month to try the courts out!
If you are concerned about what staying in such a lavish resort will do for your green credentials, you can rest assured that Aldemar have done their homework. The group has three large resorts in Crete and owns one of Europe’s largest solar farms nearby which provides 85 per cent of the hotels’ hot water. A wastewater treatment system provides the water for the gardens and the organic farm which produces fruit and vegetables and grapes to make its wine. The air-conditioning is water-cooled, and all waste is recycled. The sea is incredibly clear here and it is obvious that they take great pride in protecting this fragile asset.
I would love to have a chat to you about Crete and choosing the right resort for your holiday!