I fell in love with Crete

Flying from Gatwick at 0700 on a cold, wet April morning did not fill me with excitement….however, as soon as we took off and flew into blue skies my mood changed! Landing at Crete’s capital Heraklion was an easy experience. Quite a small airport and our bags were released very quickly. I was lucky enough to be on a working trip with 8 other Travel Counsellors to spend 4 nights on this beautiful island. We wandered around Heraklion in the heat of the day – yes, it is quite warm in April. I was surprised to see that along with the lovely old cobbled streets and traditional tavernas, there was a modern feel to the central square, with a Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream shop and several coffee shops with customers sitting outside enjoying the sunshine. We had an open air lunch at a wonderful restaurant called Peskesi before setting off to our first hotel in Rethymnon. The 5* Sentido Aegean Pearl is a very modern beachfront hotel, about 2km from the old town. There is a fabulous buffet and a la carte restaurant as well as a super wellness centre and indoor pool. The 4* sister hotel Pearl Beach is next door and you can use the facilities here as well. That evening we had a stroll in charming Rethymnon - it's a place that moves slowly but most importantly preserves much of its Venetian and Turkish appearance. The old town streets are kept for pedestrians and you can find some amazing jewellery shops, bookshops and produce being sold. Further into the heart of the town there are many cafes and small restaurants along the narrow streets. We were invited into a traditional bakery where the old baker and his wife keep their ancient door open and are happy to show how they make the traditional "fyllo" pastry leaves. The main meeting place for locals is the Rimondi fountain, with the pleasing cafe Galero to sit at right next to it – which also has internet access, as many cafes do in the centre of Rethymnon. We then walked down to the harbour and on to dinner at a lovely sea front restaurant ‘En Plo’.

In the morning we visited the 4* Swell Hotel, a small privately owned, recently completely refurbished boutique hotel on the sea front. With just 27 rooms, the focus is on personal service and they have a small heated pool for guests along with a gym, bar and restaurant serving traditional Cretan fare. Next, was the 4* Antica Dimora Suites – again a small boutique hotel in the centre of town with just 10 rooms. A beautiful old memorial building that was built in the 19th century, the hotel is part of Historic Hotels Worldwide and now boasts 21st century luxuries. The hotel has a dining area, a lift and a small pool with jacuzzi in the courtyard area. Our third hotel visit was to the delightful Rimondi Boutique Hotel, which has 20 rooms and 13 suites. Two buildings comprise the hotel, on one side the Palazzo Rimondi with its own pool, and the other side the 5* Rimondi Estate which houses the suites, a private garden and swimming pool with waterfall. Following a meze lunch in Restaurant Orthonas, we then headed back to the hotel for dinner.

Our third day saw us departing for the east side of the island which was about a 2 and a half hour drive along the glorious coastline. First visit was to the 5* Ikaros Beach Resort & Spa near Malia – a super beachfront stone built location, very low rise and pleasing to the eye. With 5 pools (including one heated indoor), 2 restaurants and 3 bars the hotel offers guests an all-inclusive family package. There are also 16 private outdoor pools for the deluxe bungalows and the sea front suites. Next hotel was the Radisson Blu Resort in Milatos, tucked away down a winding road – a huge resort with plenty on offer for every type of guest. Completely refurbished and re-branded this 5* hotel certainly has the wow factor. Choose from among 318 spacious rooms and suites and take in dramatic views of the dazzling waterfront. Sample international fare at The Mosaic Main Restaurant, local cuisine at Ariadni Taste of Crete and Italian dishes at the Italian Deli. The family-friendly accommodation also boasts 7 swimming pools, including a water park and an adults-only pool. The Boutique Spa beckons visitors to indulge in a pampering treatment or to refresh in the hammam, sauna or whirlpool tub. A quick walk around Agios Nikolaos and lunch pit stop, then onward to our home for the next 2 nights, the splendid 5* Daios Cove which is about 15 minutes from Agios Nikolaos and built into the stunning cove. A private beach, 3 restaurants, 2 pools and some amazing bedrooms with individual pools make this a very special place. An evening visit to the stunning 5* Elounda Beach Hotel for dinner and show round meant we had a very busy day!

Our final day saw us visiting the Elounda Gulf Villas, an extraordinary building of 18 Pool Villas and 15 Suites, all with breathtaking views over the azure waters of the Gulf of Mirabello. Restaurant dining or private in villa dining is available. There is a children’s club and a private beach (10 minutes away by complimentary shuttle) – this is definitely upmarket accommodation for the most discerning traveller. We then had the most fantastic visit to the island of Spinalonga (or Leper Island) - opposite Plaka. A 10-minute boat ride takes you there and you only need to spend a couple of hours exploring the whole island. With the help of a tour guide, the fascinating history of Spinalonga is told and I didn’t realise the hospital only closed down in 1957. You can visit the graves of the last lepers and view the old buildings and church that they established as a community. Well worth a visit.

Our final lunch and hotel viewing was the 5* Blue Palace at Plaka, set on the hillside opposite Spinalonga. Built by the same architect that imagined Daios Cove, a funicular takes guests down to the private pebble beach. This is a super location, you can walk into Plaka or it’s a short taxi ride into Elounda. Overall, this was a well organised trip and we saw many hotels to enhance our knowledge of the island. Surprisingly, wi-fi was readily available and complimentary in every hotel and Crete still remains one of the most popular Greek islands. Call me for a personal quote and more information on 01723 817570