Villas in Crete

The spectacular Samaria Gorge is quite the challenge! Beginning at the plateau of Omalos it is 11 miles long – the longest gorge in Europe. But despite the fact that this is a serious hike, over 170,000 people successfully trek through this mighty ravine every year. It should take about 6 hours if you are reasonably fit. You begin the trek in the White Mountains, above the Xyloskalo staircase, which zig-zags down 700 feet into the gorge. Then you just keep walking, admiring the goats, little chapels, wildflowers, amazing birds and shady pine and cypress forests along the way, and quenching your thirst with clear, cold spring water.

A trip to Spinalonga should not be missed. This is a very small island near to Elounda which was a Leper colony until the 1950s. It has more recently been brought to our attention as the setting for Victoria Hislops 'The Island'. Take a ferry from either Aghios Nikolaos, Elounda or Plaka and visit the island and charming village. Restoration projects have been gong on for some time and shops and houses can be seen in some semblance of their original state.

Crete has some brilliant markets. The most popular street market in Chania is the ‘Laiki’. Similar to a farmers’ market, growers come to sell their produce on trestle tables with maybe a tarpaulin for shade. You can buy fresh, locally grown fruit and vegetables, eggs, cheese, herbs, fish, honey and raki. The Agora is an indoor market with proper shops selling all kinds of things from meat and cheese to herbs and spices. It is all under one roof in an enclosed building in the shape of a cross in Odos Minoos. The market was completed in 1913, inspired by the market of Marseilles.

Limnoupolis Waterpark is set in landscaped gardens with a 1,500-square-metre swimming pool at the centre complete with pool bar, Jacuzzi and a little island that you can get to by swinging across a rope bridge. This waterpark is ideal for younger children, and there are also sunbathing terraces, cafes and bars. There is a playground too. They can play Tarzan on assault courses, have a go at riding mini-motorbikes or play football. The water part of the park includes rides such as Triple Twist, the Black Hole, the Giant Slide and the churning waters of the Crazy River. Limnoupolis Water Park is near Varipetro, 5 miles from Chania and is open from May to October.

As the name suggests this is a maze where the objective is to find the centre and the Minotaur, then find the escape route! Its great fun for all the family and the route is changed regularly. It's a 3D maze with steps and bridges too. Along the way visitors will learn more about the myths and legends surrounding the famous Minotaur of Knossos. There is also mini golf and cafe too. Children can also have a go in the pottery workshop where Minoan items are reproduced. There's also a lovely eco-garden with aromatic Cretan herbs, fruit trees and vegetable garden.

Aquaplus water park, just outside Malia, is split into two connected sections - one for adults including the extreme slides and the other for children. The slides are set amongst attractive gardens full of Cretan trees and exotic flowers. The park offers over 50 slides, games and catering facilities for a full day of entertainment. There's also space to relax on sunbeds if you tire of all the excitement!

This is arguably one of the most beautiful beaches on the whole of Crete. Boat trips are also an enjoyable way to get to this beach. When viewed from the hills above, it can be seen as a wide sweep of lagoon with soft white sand, sandy seabed and very shallow turquoise waters.

Falasarna, near to the village of Platanos this fabulous beach has a few sun beds and umbrellas but is largely unspoilt. Due to the lack of public transport the only way to reach the beach is by excursion or private transport. The golden sandy beach and turquoise water make it an idyllic location.

A very popular beach in the village which has one long sand and shingle beach as well as a smaller more sheltered cove. Both have sun beds and umbrellas for hire and water sports are also available on the main beach. Tavernas, shops, bars and cafeterias are all close at hand.

This beach is located just east of the town of Aghios Nikoloas and is reached by taking the Old National Road. It is also a Blue Flag beach and is shallow so popular with young children and people with mobility problems. Sunbeds and umbrellas are available for hire and a few cafeterias nearby are available for snacks and meals.

This busy resort has water sports, sun beds, umbrellas, lifeguards, bars, tavernas and so the list goes on so overall everything that you could expect from a lively beach. The beach is mainly sandy and the sea bed slopes gently so making it good for children.

This beach is located just east of the town of Aghios Nikoloas and is reached by taking the Old National Road. It is also a Blue Flag beach and is shallow so popular with young children and people with mobility problems. Sunbeds and umbrellas are available for hire and a few cafeterias nearby are available for snacks and meals.

From just west of Chania, the long beach continues pretty much uninterrupted except for a few rocky outcrops all the way to Kolymbari 14 miles to the west. Some are sandy, some are with shingle whilst others are pebble beaches. The one thing they all have in common is the wonderful clear waters with every shade of blue.

Iston Bay is located on the north east coast of Crete, set in its own beautiful private bay it stretches for 600 meters and has clear blue sea and water activities.

Kavros has an amazing beach that has a long coastline that stretches from Georgioupolis beach and ending at the east to Episkopi. The sea is nice and blue and has golden sand - great for all the family to enjoy!

This is just one part of a long beach which stretches from the area of Petres all the way to the village of Georgioupolis a distance of approximately 16 miles. A few tavernas are dotted along the beach and some offer sun beds and umbrellas for hire but it is generally there are few facilities available. However on calm days there are few other beaches which offer such perfect swimming conditions.

Aghia Marina Beach is located on the north west of the island. The beach has crystal waters and a long sandy beach for everyone to enjoy, there are also beach bars and tavernas.

Although not a large beach, it is very attractive and well organised. The beach is sandy and tavernas, bars and cafeterias all jostle for business. Beach beds and umbrellas are available to hire. There is a car park next to the beach so you do not have to walk far which makes this beach very appealing to those who like to take airbeds and such like to the beach.

This is a quiet beach but sun beds and umbrellas can he hired from the hotels and some hotel facilities can be used. Watersports are also available at one of the nearby hotels. This is also an area where the Loggerhead turtles lay their eggs so visitors are respectfully asked not to touch the cages covering the nests during the hatching period.

Kolymbari sits in the north west coast, there are cliffs to one side and the Mediterranean Sea on the other. The beach (which is blue flag) is ideal for a relaxing sunbathe and a swim in the clear blue sea.

The seaside resort of Loutraki is located 16km east of Chania, near to Souda. Loutraki is a small beach with crystal clear water and a beach bar.

Star Beach is at the eastern end of Hersonissos and is sand and pebble. This beach is where Star Beach Waterpark is.

There are several unnamed coves after Star Beach which has sunbeds and umbrellas. These tend to be more suited to families and are reached by a short rocky path.

This is a fairly small compact resort which attracts mainly families and this is reflected in the beach facilities. Here sun beds and umbrellas are available but water sports are not which makes the beach safe for small children to play as it is much quiter than some of the other resorts.

This is a very large beach offering something for everyone. It is mostly sandy with the side nearest to the harbour offering shallow water whilst the eastern side is shelving a little more but the beach is very popular with both locals and tourists. All facilities are available so a day out combining sightseeing and sunbathing is easy to acheive.

This is a quiet mainly shingle beach which has little in the way of sun beds and umbrellas and so attracts people who want to be able to relax in peace. A couple of tavernas can be found serving local dishes and drinks but otherwise it’s best to take your own refreshments. The water is clear.

This beach is 1km west of the village of Kalives. It is well organised and offers a sandy beach with gently sloping access to the sea. It is comparitively quiet and is popular with families as there are tavernas and ‘kantinas’ – usually caravan type vehicles which serve drinks and snacks – close by. The river Kiliaris bisects the beach as it allows the melting snow to flow into the sea.