Recently we packed one of our picnics in Crete and set off for Kissamos. 

Picnics in Crete often on the beach in the shade of a tamarisk tree
In the shade of a tamarisk tree…

Driving the Paleo Ethniki – the old road from Chania west to Kissamos which avoids all the usual traffic. 

Views towards Kissamos from the old road
View from the old road to Kissamos

A lovely leisurely drive thru sleepy villages, stopping to admire the stunning views of jagged mountains and precipitous gorges.   

Poppies

And Spring is all around – early this year! Fragile red poppies dancing in the breeze, extravagant blue anenomes, and yellow Oxalis daisies carpeting the olive groves. 

Blue anenomes facing the sun

Explore the empty harbour outside the town. Walk on the deserted beach. 

Fishing boat at Kissamos Harbour

Set up picnic in the shade of tamarisks at the foot of the Rodopou pensinsula.  We are in a little slice of heaven.  And with Lyra beer, brewed in Kissamos too!

Lyra beer, great for picnics in Crete
Lyra beer, brewed in Kissamos (Pellegrino for the ladies!)

Eating Outside

There is nothing quite like eating outside.  Al fresco eating is a feature of Panokosmos – our guests get to eat in any one of a number of locations in our Mediterranean gardens.  Surrounded by those magnificent views over the Apokoronas and the White Mountains. 

Dining at Panokosmos with the rising moon

But to have good food out in the midst of nature, really away from it all, is kinda special. Food always seems to taste better in these situations.

Showing the serious business of raki tasting during picnics in Crete
Serious business, sampling the raki!

We love to prepare picnics, with all the trimmings for ourselves and our guests.

No better food for your picnics in Crete than the Panokosmos spread
Plenty of goodies in the picnic hampers

We offer a picnic hamper (well it’s coolbags actually) packed with goodies for you to take hiking off in the mountains, or just strolling off the beaten track for your picnics in Crete. 

Breakfast amidst the jasmine and honeysuckle

Breakfast Picnics in Crete?

If you order one of our breakfasts it will always be a surprise – both what, as a guest, you will have, and where you will have it.  Its one of the fun things about each morning at Panokosmos.  But sometimes, for the right guests and when we are full of energy! we take them out. 

View from the olive grove

High in the hills, in an olive grove which overlooks our hill, we serve a picnic breakfast. 

Setup for your picnics in Crete - in the midst of an olive grove
Your place is waiting…

Chairs and tablecloths, napkins and sparkling wine, its all there!  And privacy too!

A quiet moment with glass of bubbly

We slum it at the back!

Relaxing back to back after all the preparations!

For your next holiday in Crete

Whether or not you are able to come this year, if you do think of a holiday in Crete do take a look at our blogs. These 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.