Late Summer in Crete

After spending the Summer months closely watching the developments with overseas travel in light of Covid-19, we were relieved and delighted when we were able to book a last-minute break to Crete. We had visited the island many years ago with two small children, so this was a completely different holiday, just the two of us. We based ourselves in the pretty fishing port of Elounda about 45 minutes’ drive from Heraklion Airport. Although we planned to hire a car for a few days and travel around and see more of the island, in fact we didn’t get into a car again until our return trip to the airport 10 days later! We spent 10 blissful days, walking, reading, swimming, eating and drinking. Definitely not the type of holiday we usually choose, but absolutely perfect this time. The weather was gloriously warm and after we discovered a great little book of local walks, we set about seeing more of the area. Following a very hot Summer, most of the grass had turned yellow, crisp and dry, but the Olive trees were very much alive and well, bursting with (almost) ripe Olives. We admired their gnarly, interwoven trunks that had stood rooted in the same spot for many hundreds of years – if they could talk, I’ll bet they’d have some tales to tell! The local beach of mainly rocks and pebbles meant a very tentative entry into the water. The sea was so clear we could see the fish even without a snorkel, however with it, we saw the ocean alive with tiny colourful fish coming over to take a look at us. We didn’t need to get into the sea though, to see the ruins of the ancient Minoan City of Olous laying just below the water line, just a stones’ throw away from our hotel. We did need to take a boat to visit Spinalonga, just a short hop, to the small island where Cretans banished Lepers to live and die between 1903 and 1957. First inhabited by Venetians in 17th century, followed by the Ottomans some 130 years later, many of their buildings still remain and were re-purposed for the Leper Colony. There are many tavernas in the town and although we had our favourites, we could have eaten somewhere different every evening. Elounda has everything a visitor needs with no shortage of bars, cafes and souvenir shops. There’s a very pretty harbour and a good size beach with sunbeds and parasols for those who like to lay in the sun. I’d definitely recommend Crete for a holiday, both for those who like to do nothing and those who like to do something. After a stressful 2021, it was great to do what we love and recharge our batteries for the months ahead.