Greek myth, Cretan cuisine and the sparkling Mediterranean
The largest of the Greek islands, Crete is one of our favourites. Minoans, Hellenes, Crusaders, Venetians and Ottomans have cruised through here over the past few thousand years. Yet when you holiday in Crete you'll find the pretty fishing villages and shady olive groves wear their history lightly.
Steeped in Greek myth, Crete holidays offer you the chance to follow in the footsteps of Theseus, unspooling Ariadne's thread in the Minotaur's labyrinth at Knossos. You can investigate the fate of the Minoans, swept away in a calamity that inspired the myth of Atlantis, or the world of Homer's greatest heroes.
But there's more than mythology to Crete holidays. You can savour fresh fish in a waterfront taverna, or a glass of raki and a game of backgammon in a back-alley kafeneio. Or feast on the delicious smoked pork dish called apakia, dakos, the island's answer to bruschetta, and local olives, oils or cheeses.
Snug amid clear waters, with rugged Spinalonga island just off-shore, Elounda hits the Cretan sweet spot, pairing peace with contemporary style. Still at heart the pretty fishing village it always was, pastel houses, craggy landscapes and quiet beaches make this the serene heart of Crete.