The islands Majestic mountains soar at its centre and slope down via fertile valleys, deep ravines, ancient Minoan palaces and timeless traditional mountain villages to end at sandy blue flag beaches. Here you will find unbelievably blue seas and tavernas serving healthy locally produced food and wines.

Mediterranean island, the paradise is everything you need for a holiday. Crete is the largest and most spectacular of all the Greek islands, it shall notify the Aegean Sea on Libya, to the point where Europe and Africa meet.

This island paradise is famed for its hospitality, mythology, ancient sites, healthy Mediterranean cuisine and endless sandy blue flag beaches punctuated with jagged, dramatic rocky shorelines.

Crete has some spectacular walks making the most of the mountains, gorges and coastline. Spring is a particularly pretty time of year for walkers as the island is very green with a profusion of wild flowers and tree blossoms.

The beautiful island of Crete has more to offer than just its history, its gorges, its unscaled peaks and its mild climate.

There are some beautiful cities to explore, Chania being the jewel in the crown. Chania or Xania is claimed to be the oldest city in the world dating back to Neolithic times and is situated on the North West coast of Crete in the Apokoronas area.

Chania has a beautiful old Venetian section (the old town) including, museums, archaeological sites, a maze of narrow streets with shops selling local products and a stunning old harbour lined with tavernas and restaurants, the perfect place to relax and watch the people and boat trips come and go.

Another beautiful city is Rethymno situated to the East of Chania, again with a similar old part and harbour dominated by an imposing Venetian fortress. Many boat trips including trips to Santorini leave from Rethymno.

The Apokoronas area of Crete is situated on the North West coast of Crete. It is one of the greenest areas of Crete with beautiful blue flag beaches set against the dramatic backdrop of the White Mountains and with many unspoilt traditional villages. There are many private villas in this area that are available to rent, many working out cheaper than a hotel but with extra space, privacy and your own pool.

Situated between the cities of Chania and Rethymno and close to Crete’s only highway the Apokoronas area is the perfect base from where to make the most of your holiday on Crete. From here you have easy access to rest of the island including the south coast, Samaria gorge, the famous Elafonissi beach, Chania, Rethymno and all the further excursions boat trips etc that these places offer. Visit one of the many traditional villages close to hand or just relax on one of the beautiful beaches.

Wherever you have been in the day the evening out is a wonderful time, walk past a jasmine vine and breathe in the intoxicating aroma, visit a seaside taverna, stroll hand in hand with your partner on a beach or just spend the evening on the patio of your private villa sipping the local wine and eating a fresh home made Cretan salad and grilled fish just watching the sun go down over the pool.

Search terms for this article:

the secret jewel (1)