Crete
The island of Magnitude
Where mountains meet myth, and the Aegean meets the Libyan Sea
Crete is not an island—it’s a world. Vast and varied, it moves between high, pine-scented mountains and deep, olive-strewn valleys, from minuscule coves to sprawling beaches where the sand runs pink. Its cities hum with life—Venetian harbours, Ottoman lanes, modern cafés—while inland villages keep the old ways, pressing oil, tending vines, and baking bread in stone ovens.
Here, myth and history breathe through every ridge and ruin: from Minoan palaces to Byzantine chapels, from shepherd songs to the clink of raki glasses. Crete doesn’t simply welcome you—it absorbs you, shaping your days with its scale, generosity, and endless horizon.
WHERE TO STAY
Domes Zeen Chania – Chania
A design-led beachfront retreat that merges raw textures with contemporary lines. Private terraces, open-air lounges, and a jungle-like poolscape create a haven of understated luxury just outside Chania’s historic core.
Minos Beach Art Hotel – Agios Nikolaos
An icon of Cretan hospitality, blending low-rise bungalows with gardens, art installations, and the sea at your doorstep. Think barefoot mornings and candlelit dinners over the water.
Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas – Vathi, Agios Nikolaos
A private bay retreat with cascading infinity pools, glass-walled villas, and a spa carved into the cliffside. Complete privacy, panoramic views, and all the amenities of a world-class resort.
Blue Palace Elounda – Elounda
Where classic elegance meets Aegean beauty. Terraced suites and villas overlook Spinalonga island, with private pools, refined dining, and exceptional service.
EXPERIENCES
PRIVATE EXPERIENCES & CURATED TOURS
Palace & Past: Knossos and Heraklion
⏱ 4 hours
Step into Minoan legend at the Palace of Knossos, then explore Heraklion’s vibrant market and archaeological treasures.
Inclusions: Guide, private vehicle, museum entry.
Flavours of Crete: Cooking in a Mountain Village
⏱ 4–5 hours
Learn to prepare classic Cretan dishes in a traditional home, using fresh herbs, olive oil, and cheese from local farms.
Inclusions: Cooking class, ingredients, lunch, wine.
The Samaria Gorge Hike
⏱ Full Day
Descend through one of Europe’s most spectacular gorges, ending at the Libyan Sea for a well-earned swim.
Inclusions: Private hiking guide, transfers, picnic.
Seascapes & Secrets: Private Yacht to Balos and Gramvousa
⏱ Full Day
Cruise to the turquoise lagoon of Balos and the wild island of Gramvousa for swimming, snorkeling, and beach picnics.
Inclusions: Skipper, yacht, snorkel gear, lunch, drinks.
Olive Oil & Wine Trails
⏱ 4 hours
Tour a family-owned olive mill and boutique winery, tasting award-winning oils and Cretan varietals paired with meze.
Inclusions: Guide, tastings, private transport.
WHERE TO EAT
Salis – Chania
Casual fine dining with a waterfront terrace. Creative Mediterranean menu highlighting seasonal produce and local wines.
Hrisostomos – Chania
Excellent local cuisine cooked in a wood oven, known for authenticity and depth of flavor. No views—but the food more than compensates.
Tamam – Chania
Easy-going comfort food served in a converted Ottoman bath. Homely Cretan flavors with a touch of Levantine influence.
The Five – Chania
Waterfront, modern, and creative—occasionally a bit pretentious, but the food delivers. Elegant plating with a fresh take on Mediterranean classics.
Pork to Beef Wild – Chania
Upscale street food with bold flavor. Perfect for a quick, satisfying bite on the go.
Piato – Agios Nikolaos
Casual, creative local cuisine with exceptional consistency—so good you’ll want to return twice. A refined yet relaxed seaside spot with a menu rooted in Cretan tradition.
Karnagio – Agios Nikolaos
Bustling, loud, and proudly Greek. A favorite for casual evenings with grilled seafood, meze, and the energy of the port as your backdrop.
Ammoudi – Agios Nikolaos
Beach club ambiance meets urban cuisine. Lively atmosphere, DJ sets, and modern Mediterranean dishes right by the water.
La Strada – Agios Nikolaos
Casual Italian dining done right—wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas, and friendly service. Unpretentious and reliably delicious.
Gioma – Agios Nikolaos
Local cuisine with a view, set right above the lake. Fresh fish and Cretan specialties in a romantic, elevated setting.
Palas – Agios Nikolaos
Comfort-driven urban cuisine with excellent ambiance and service. A place to linger over cocktails and refined Mediterranean plates.
Ferryman – Elounda
A well-known fine dining spot right on the water. Fresh seafood and elevated Greek dishes with a romantic, intimate feel.
Ostria – Elounda
Classic seaside taverna serving grilled fish, simple meze, and the laid-back charm of a family-run place by the shore.
A SENSORY GUIDE OF THE DESTINATION
We’re here to book the best accommodation for your trip, the best guides and drivers, and to make sure you receive top-quality service every step of the way. But there’s one thing we can’t do for you — and that’s to truly feel and sense the destination by being present in the moment.
To help you get a real feel for the place and take home a fully sensory travel memory, we’re sending you a few suggestions on how to experience the heartbeat of the destination.Find a moment to fit them into your trip, and you’ll enjoy a more holistic experience — one you’ll never forget.
👁️ See
A tapestry of extremes.
Snow-capped peaks in spring. Endless olive groves rolling toward turquoise shores. The pink shimmer of Elafonissi, the towering gorge walls of Samaria, the layered stones of Knossos. Crete is both ancient and constantly renewed.
👃 Smell
Thyme and sea salt.
Wild oregano crushed underfoot on a trail. The smoke of wood-fired bread. The citrus bloom of spring, the resin of pine in summer. Each region has its own perfume.
👂 Hear
Voices carried on the wind.
Cicadas in the heat of noon. The low strum of a lyra in a mountainside kafeneio. The crash of waves on rocky shores and the echo of footsteps in Chania’s Venetian harbour.
👅 Taste
Earthy, bold, elemental.
Dakos crowned with sweet tomatoes, mizithra cheese drizzled with honey, slow-cooked lamb with wild greens, octopus grilled beside the sea. Crete’s cuisine is a living reflection of its land.
✋ Touch
Stone, wood, and wool.
Dry, sun-warmed rock on a hike. The grain of carved olive wood spoons in a market. The weave of a handmade Cretan rug, still carrying the lanolin scent of the sheep.
🧠 Feel
Scale and substance.
The smooth coolness of marble under your hands in an ancient ruin. The give of warm sand between your toes. The sense of being held between mountain and sea, vastness and intimacy.