This week marks 10 years with my husband. We met back in 2016 when I was living and working in Crete, repping in a beautiful 5★ resort in the village of Analipsi; and this September, we’re hoping to head back to celebrate it properly.

Crete is one of those places that gives you completely different experiences depending on where you stay. It’s a big island, and it really does matter. The west, around Chania and Rethymnon, is what I’d call the prettier, more traditional side. Think Venetian harbours, colourful buildings, little coffee shops and some of the best food you’ll have in Greece. You’ve also got places like Elafonissi Beach with its soft pink-tinged sand and shallow, crystal-clear water. It’s stunning, and a bit different to your typical beach day. There’s a lot of history on that side too, particularly around World War II.

The east is where I lived, but also where you’ll find Heraklion Airport and the capital. It’s a bit more real, a bit more lived-in, but packed with history. You’ve got the Palace of Knossos, the whole legend of the Minotaur and the Labyrinth, and a proper working city feel around the harbour. Around there is where most of the well-known resorts sit.

Hersonissos is lively and international, Malia has its reputation but also some great beaches, and then you’ve got places like Stalis, Gouves and Sissi which are much more relaxed if you just want to switch off. Some of my best memories are from that side. Evenings in Malia that somehow turned into early mornings, drinks along the seafront in Hersonissos, and days out exploring a bit further.

One of my favourite spots was Agios Nikolaos, a really pretty coastal town built around a lake, perfect for a wander and a long lunch. From there, we went over to Spinalonga, a small island just off the coast that was used as a leper colony up until the 1950s. It’s one of those places that stays with you. What a lot of people don’t realise is how much there is beyond the beaches. Head inland and you’ve got mountains, little villages and places like the Dikteon Cave, which is said to be the birthplace of Zeus. You can do it properly in a 4x4 and see a completely different side of the island.

That’s why I always recommend Crete. You can make it whatever you want it to be. Total relaxation, proper exploring, a bit of nightlife, a bit of history… it’s all there.

For most people, Crete is just a holiday. For me, it’s where I met my husband and built some of the best memories of my life.

So going back 10 years later feels pretty special. And I already know… it’ll still have that same magic.