Crete - Eastern
Eastern Crete unfolds as a land of light — a place where time stretches, olive groves shimmer in the breeze, and the sea glows in endless shades of blue. This is the island’s most serene and soulful corner, where the rhythm slows and every moment feels touched by authenticity.
From the refined calm of Elounda and Agios Nikolaos, with their elegant harbours and world-class resorts, to the untamed beauty of Sitia, Zakros, and Vai, Eastern Crete reveals a landscape shaped by both nature and history. Ancient Minoan sites lie scattered among hillsides heavy with vines and wild herbs, while family-run farms, monasteries, and stone villages preserve traditions that feel timeless.
Here, luxury meets simplicity — a private cruise to Spinalonga, a tasting of rare olive oils in a centuries-old grove, dinner under the stars with the scent of thyme in the air. Eastern Crete invites travellers to experience the island’s essence not through spectacle, but through connection — to the land, to its stories, and to a slower, more beautiful way of life.
WHERE TO STAY
Phea Blue – Elounda
Poised above the crystalline waters of Elounda Bay, Phea Blue is an intimate expression of Aegean grace and understated luxury. Terraced suites and villas open to private pools and sweeping views of Spinalonga Island, offering a setting of calm refinement. The interiors blend contemporary design with natural textures, while cuisine celebrates Crete’s vibrant flavors through inventive, locally inspired menus. Service is personal and intuitive — the kind that anticipates rather than interrupts. Phea Blue is not just a destination, but a mood: serene, elegant, and touched by the quiet beauty of the Mediterranean.
GDM Megaron Historical Monument Hotel – Heraklion
Overlooking Heraklion’s historic Venetian harbour, the GDM Megaron stands as a timeless icon of Cretan hospitality. Originally built in the early 20th century, this listed landmark has been masterfully restored into a contemporary five-star hotel where neoclassical grandeur meets understated luxury. Spacious rooms and suites feature high ceilings, elegant furnishings, and views that stretch over the sea and the city. A rooftop pool and restaurant offer panoramic sunsets, while impeccable service ensures every moment feels effortlessly refined. The Megaron is more than a hotel — it’s a piece of Heraklion’s living history, perfectly balancing heritage and modern sophistication.
Phnoe Living
Set amid Messinia’s serene olive-clad hills, Phnoe Living redefines the art of quiet luxury. Minimalist architecture merges with natural textures and warm, organic tones to create spaces that soothe the senses and elevate simplicity. Each suite feels like a private sanctuary — sun-drenched, discreet, and deeply connected to the land. Designed for travellers who seek authenticity and calm, Phnoe Living is both retreat and statement: a refined escape where wellness, design, and nature flow in perfect harmony.
Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas – Vathi, Agios Nikolaos
Carved into a secluded cove on Crete’s northeastern coast, Daios Cove is a sanctuary of modern elegance and effortless indulgence. Glass-walled villas and cascading infinity pools spill toward the turquoise bay, while the resort’s architecture harmoniously follows the natural contours of the cliffside. Each space is designed for privacy and serenity, with panoramic views that blur the line between sea and sky. The spa, hewn from rock, offers rituals rooted in elemental balance, and fine dining venues celebrate Mediterranean purity with contemporary finesse. Daios Cove embodies the essence of discreet luxury — immersive, soulful, and utterly refined.
Minos Beach Art Hotel – Agios Nikolaos
A legend of Cretan sophistication, Minos Beach Art Hotel unfolds like a living gallery along a serene waterfront. Low-slung whitewashed bungalows and villas nestle among fragrant gardens, each framed by sculptures and installations that celebrate contemporary Greek art. The sea is ever-present — just steps away for morning swims or quiet reflection. Evenings unfold with candlelit dining over the water, creative cocktails by the bay, and the unhurried rhythm of island life. Elegant yet authentic, Minos Beach Art Hotel captures the spirit of Crete at its most poetic — a retreat for aesthetes, dreamers, and lovers of timeless design.
EXPERIENCES
Intimate Cooking Sessions — A Private Immersion into Crete’s Culinary Soul
Step into a tranquil olive grove and discover the true essence of Cretan cuisine. Your private host will walk you through the art of olive cultivation and the secrets of harvesting before guiding you through a sensory tasting of exceptional extra virgin olive oils. Then, roll up your sleeves for an immersive, hands-on cooking session — two rich hours of creating authentic dishes using seasonal ingredients and pure local produce. The experience culminates around a long rustic table, where you’ll share stories, laughter, and the vibrant flavors of your own creations.
Crete’s Fundamentals — Knossos, Boutique Winery & Farmhouse Dinner
Experience the essence of Crete — its timeless history, celebrated vineyards, and heartfelt cuisine. Begin with a private guided exploration of the legendary Palace of Knossos, the cradle of Europe’s earliest civilization. Continue to a boutique winery nestled among the island’s rolling hills for a tasting of rare local varieties, and end your day at a traditional farmhouse where your hosts prepare an authentic Cretan meal paired with fine estate wines. We recommend an early evening start — when the crowds fade, the light softens, and Crete reveals its golden serenity.
A Central Crete Exploration — Phaistos, Gortyn & Rural Gastronomy
A journey through Crete’s heartland, ideal for those who seek the meeting point of myth, culture, and taste. Walk through the storied ruins of Phaistos and Gortyn — from Minoan to Greco-Roman splendor — before visiting a boutique winery surrounded by vineyards and ancient olive groves. Your day concludes with a farm-to-table lunch hosted by a local family, where each dish tells a story of tradition and hospitality.
Wine Aficionados — A Premium Culinary Journey
A celebration of wine, cuisine, and unhurried elegance. Visit two of Crete’s most acclaimed boutique wineries for in-depth tastings led by expert vintners — an exploration of terroir, craft, and character. As the day softens into evening, a private gourmet dinner awaits — set amid vineyards or under the stars, pairing each course with local vintages. Designed for connoisseurs and lovers of life’s finer moments.
An East Crete Exploration — Village Traditions & Private Cruise to Spinalonga
Your day begins in Kritsa, a picturesque mountain village known for its weavers and its timeless rhythm of life. Visit a local olive press and uncover the heritage of Cretan olive oil before boarding a private traditional caique for an unforgettable cruise to the historic island of Spinalonga. While you explore its storied walls, your crew prepares a sumptuous lunch on board — freshly grilled seafood, crisp salads, and chilled Cretan wines. The afternoon drifts by in leisurely swims and quiet indulgence amid the turquoise waters of Elounda Bay.
WHERE TO EAT
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
Golden gorges cut through mountains that tumble toward the Libyan Sea. Whitewashed villages cling to cliffs, and olive trees ripple like silver waves in the wind. The light here is sharper, purer — casting a glow over pebbled coves and ancient monasteries perched above endless blue. At sunset, the horizon burns amber and rose, and the wild south seems to pause between myth and dream.
👃 Smell
The scent of wild sage and thyme drifts from rocky hillsides, mingling with the briny breath of the sea. In summer, you catch traces of woodsmoke from distant tavernas and freshly baked bread cooling on stone sills. Orange blossoms, pine resin, and mountain herbs linger in the air — a fragrant reminder that everything in Crete begins with the earth.
👂 Hear
Waves lap against hidden coves, cicadas sing their endless chorus, and the soft strum of a lyra floats from a shaded courtyard. In the stillness of dusk, the sea murmurs below and the wind hums through olive branches — the island’s ancient lullaby. Here, sound dissolves into silence, and silence feels alive.
👅 Taste
Honey thick with thyme. Tangy mizithra cheese drizzled with olive oil. Octopus grilled over charcoal, served beside carafes of crisp white wine. Every bite is elemental, honest, drawn from land and sea with reverence. Meals unfold slowly — laughter, clinking glasses, and the taste of sun and salt on your lips.
✋ Touch
Bare feet on warm stone. The cool kiss of seawater after the heat of the day. The grain of olive wood beneath your hand, and the soft weight of linen against sun-warmed skin. Everything in Southern Crete invites touch — tangible, textured, grounding — a dialogue between body and landscape.
🧠 Feel
There is a sense of freedom here, as if time stretches with the horizon. The pace is slower, the gestures warmer, the connection deeper. You feel the pulse of an older world — resilient, generous, alive. In Southern Crete, you don’t just visit; you belong to a place that welcomes you with its heart wide open