Istron stretches along the Gulf of Mirabello in eastern Crete, a scatter of small resorts and golden-sand coves between Agios Nikolaos and the inland village of Kalo Chorio. Voulisma beach, known locally as Golden Beach, curves beneath tamarisk trees with soft sand and shallow turquoise water that ranks among the finest on the island’s eastern … Read more
Crete stands among the Mediterranean’s premier luxury destinations, offering five-star resorts that rival anything in the Greek islands. The sheltered shores of Mirabello Bay around Elounda have earned international recognition for their discreet, high-end properties featuring private pools, butler service, and sea-view suites. Flagship hotels dot the north coast near Chania, Rethymno, and Heraklion, while … Read more
Heraklion International Airport, officially named after the writer Nikos Kazantzakis and carrying the code HER, stands as the busiest airport on Crete and ranks among the most active in all of Greece. Located just five kilometres east of Heraklion city centre on the island’s north coast, this gateway handles year-round domestic connections and welcomes a … Read more
Music runs through the heart of Cretan life like a pulse that never stops. The lyra, a three-stringed pear-shaped fiddle bowed on the knee, leads the melody while the laouto, a long-necked lute, drives the rhythm beneath. Together these instruments fill weddings, festivals and taverna nights across the island with sound that belongs to the … Read more
Melidoni Cave rises above the village of Melidoni in the Mylopotamos area of Rethymno, offering visitors a single vast chamber where geology and history intertwine. Known also as Gerontospilios, this cavern sheltered ancient worshippers and, according to legend, the bronze giant Talos who guarded Crete. Its most poignant chapter unfolded in the nineteenth century, when … Read more
The Agia Irini Gorge cuts a green, shaded path through the mountains of south-west Crete, offering walkers a genuine canyon experience without the summer crowds. This seven-kilometre trail descends from the highland village of Agia Irini to the coast near Sougia, winding between high rock walls beneath pine and plane trees. Springs bubble along the … Read more
Tucked into the forested mountains of western Crete’s Kissamos district, Milia Mountain Retreat occupies a restored medieval hamlet where stone cottages glow by candlelight and solar panels replace the grid. Abandoned for decades, the settlement was rebuilt as a pioneering agrotourism project that draws walkers, families, and travellers seeking quiet rhythms far from coastal resorts. … Read more
Kritsa spreads across a steep hillside in the Lasithi region of eastern Crete, its whitewashed houses and narrow lanes climbing the slope just minutes inland from the coast. This large traditional village has long been celebrated for its woven textiles, embroidery, herbs and local oil, with craft shops lining the streets. The Byzantine church of … Read more
Panormos sits quietly on the northern shore of Crete, a small fishing village that has kept its unhurried rhythm while bigger resorts expand along the coast. Stone houses cluster around a tiny harbour, tavernas line the waterfront, and two sandy coves invite gentle swimming. The ruins of an early Christian basilica and a Venetian fort … Read more
Platanias spreads along the northwest coast of Crete as a full-service beach resort just a short drive west of Chania. The long sandy beach draws families and sun-seekers by day, while the waterfront strip transforms into one of western Crete’s busiest nightlife zones after sunset. The old village climbs a green hillside above the modern … Read more
Crete has emerged as a leading destination for yoga and wellness retreats, combining the island’s warm climate, quiet coastlines and calm mountain settings with programmes designed for rest and renewal. The south coast offers particular appeal, where remote beaches and hillside villages provide seclusion, sea views and clean air ideal for daily practice. Retreat programmes … Read more
Olive oil flows through every aspect of Cretan life, from the kitchen table to the terraced hillsides blanketed in silver-green groves. Millions of olive trees carpet the island, their roots reaching back to Minoan times and their branches still feeding families today. The island produces exceptional extra-virgin oil, most notably from the Koroneiko variety, celebrated … Read more