Coming to Crete for a holiday can seem like a dream. Then you begin to look at the guidebooks, see a few articles on the web, look at a Facebook group… and it begins to feel overwhelming. So here’s a few pointers we give to guests who come to Panokosmos.
Or are you the sort of holiday maker who only looks at the guidebook when you’re on the flight out? Who kinda waits until you’re lying on your sunbed before you start to work out what you want to do? We have the answers, compiled over years of moseying around Crete ourselves, and talking and suggesting to our guests over the last 5 years.
Our guests will typically want to get some real rest, relaxation and to recharge their batteries. So, based on our experience, you’ll get the best result if you balance your time. On the one hand chilling out around in our lush Mediterranean gardens & lazing on a sunbed by the pool. And on the other hand with getting out to see some of the sites on a leisurely and relaxed basis.
For example here are our suggestions:
1. Walk a Gorge
Its one of the unique experiences of Crete, and there are accessible ones ranging from the Imbros – a couple of hours to Aradhena – a full day’s walking.
For example take a look at our blog on gorges. Each has an itinerary which takes the hassle out of the planning because it looks after getting you back to where you started, and leaves you a chance of a cooling dip in the Libyan sea after your exertions!
2. Visit the old town of Chania
There’s a magic atmosphere in the back alleys, cool and shady even in the midday summer sun. History is all around, be it Minoan excavations or the warm stone of the massive Venetian fortifications. The old harbour with its iconic lighthouse is the magnet for tourists, but we know off track spots where you can people watch without being part of the crowd. For instance take a look at our blog on the Chania harbour front.
3. Sample Olive oil
Olive oil is the mainstay of Cretan agriculture and the Cretans would claim most certainly it’s the best in the world! Drive through rolling hills with neat lines of olive trees. Judge for yourself at an olive oil tasting at Terra Creta, where you can see one of the most modern olive oil mills in Europe. In addition you can see the very olive grove that the oil you buy has come from! Then go on to see what is maybe the oldest olive tree at Vouves. Likewise we’ve got a blog which covers this too!
4. Visit the Lakes
There are only three freshwater lakes on Crete, and only one is natural. They are all great places to bird watch, and all within a comfortable drive from Panokosmos. For instance, on Kournas you can take a pedalo for a leisurely exploration of its far shores; certainly Lake Agias has great birdwatching locations; in contrast Potami is wild and beautiful, with an impressive curved sweep of the dam, and a partially submerged village on one edge. Try our our drive which also takes in a Carob Factory and some Roman tombs.
5. Make a trip to a Winery
Manousakis, Karavitakis or Dourakis are all close by. Local Cretan wines are very good, with vineries which have passed thru several generations. That is to say the current sons and daughters are educated in oeneology in Italy or Germany. Firstly they combine the latest technologies and thinking with knowledge of the land and climate. Secondly they are rediscovering and experimenting with local grape varieties – Vidiano, Kotsifali, Liakoto, the names have an exotic and romantic sound…
6. Walk into wonderful scenery.
Walk right out of our door into wonderful scenery. Our “Five Villages” walk for example takes you over the hill behind us to typical mountain villages. Each will have their own character, some with a genuine kafenion. Certainly there will be Cretan shepherds and farmers discussing politics! Views change as you walk along the route, from wild and mountainous to well kept groves of olives to neat vineyards, spotted with village houses and also the odd characteristic abandoned car!
Here we describe a short easy walk to a lovely little white chapel in the foothills from Kyriakoselia. Make it one of your ten things to do in Crete.
7. Take a boat trip
Take a boat trip – to Loutro or Freshwater Beach from Hora Sfakion in the South. This is an impressive trip because the boat passes mountains which drop 1000m in vertical cliffs to the sea. Secondly the water at Freshwater is divinely warm, and finally Loutro has a very special atmosphere with some lovely restaurants and a bar serving splendid cocktails!
8. Experience Cretan country life
To gain some insights into Cretan country life we can arrange a tour with local Giorgos, born and brought up in Vamos, a local village. He also runs a wonderfully atmospheric taverna, and knows everyone in the area. Above all his local knowledge means that he can take you to an icon painter, a local dairy, beekeeper, olive mill or a lyra maker where you can see how these tiny Cretan instruments are made, and hear their sounds amongst the orange and olive trees.
9. See 5000 years of history
Signs of past civilizations are all around. For instance, just 15 min from the house is ancient Aptera – wonderfully preserved Roman aquifers, Greek temple and theatre remains, and a Turkish fort with a sweeping view over Souda Bay. Close by on the Akrotiri peninsula, there is a ruined monastery a short walk from Agia Triada where you can see the work of the monks and experience the quiet serenity of the monastery church and square. In contrast, Zakros, the bay where parts of Zorba the Greek were filmed is close by, and the War Cemetery in Souda a touching reminder of past conflicts.
10. Chill out at Panokosmos
And with all this focus on ten things to do in Crete, just don’t forget Panokosmos! During your stay you can order up a breakfast. You will start with fresh brewed coffee, a surprise breakfast served in one of our shady locations about the gardens. Also take a day to spend lying out on our sunloungers, or in our king chair floating in the pool, a cool glass of sparkling in the glass holder… Finally a three course dinner served on the pool terrace, perched on the edge of the Athimolakkos gorge, watching the moon come up.
Lots more to see and do…
In any case for your holiday in Crete you might like to look at our blogs which show things to do in Crete, whether it be walking a gorge, hiking in the foothills of the White Mountains, or taking a drive to see the sites. Chania is a great town to visit, particularly to go to the street markets, and of course you’ll want to get the benefits of the Cretan diet – be it the yoghurt and cheese, or the olive oil.
