Sit back and relax with Crete villas

Crete is the largest of the Greek islands, lying between the Aegean and Mediterranean seas. With limitless stretches of breathtaking mountains and cavernous ravines, all surrounded by one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, Crete is a wonderful holiday destination for everyone, whether you're looking for an adventure or you just want to relax by the beach. The Mediterranean climate here makes the summers ideal for sunbathers, whilst the winters remain mild and sunny, with snow only reaching the tops of the mountains here.

Step back into ancient times and discover the history of Crete

Crete is an island embedded with history. Going as far back as the second millenium BC, there are plenty of archaeological sites well worth seeing during your stay in Crete apartments. There are several palaces from the Minoan period that you can visit during your holiday here such as Knossos, which was the capital of Minoan Crete (being home to the largest of the island's palaces), as well as the palaces of Malia and Zakros. Crete is also believed to be the setting of some of the most significant aspects of Greek mythology, such as being the birthplace of Zeus and the location of the Minotaur's maze. If you're particularly interested in Ancient Greek history, then why not book a ferry from Crete to Athens in mainland Greece for a day trip and discover even more about this country's rich past?

Picturesque fishing villages surround the island and provide a real life glimpse into Greece’s ancient past, you can talk with the local fishermen and craftsmen, and stop into pubs to hear the ancient lore and music that stems way back into time. Buy some freshly caught fish to fry up in your self catering holiday home for a truly memorable holiday meal experience. It would be amiss, not to mention the glorious harbors and port cities. The Chania region to the west of Crete exhibits several historic periods: Venetian, Ottoman and modern day Greek influence converge to create a beautiful architectural cornucopia beneath the towering White Mountains on the eastern horizon.

Soak up the natural beauty at Samaria Gorge National Park

During your stay in a villa in Crete, be sure to explore its natural landscape. To begin to fully grasp the natural splendour of the Minoan Island, a day trip to the Samaria Gorge National Park is in order. With extensive hiking trails offering stunning views at every turn, this park in Crete provides a wonderful environment for the adventurer within you. You may even catch the hint of a sea breeze wafting through the ravine, as the park is positioned towards the coast in the south-east region of the island.

Take a stroll along the beaches of Crete

With a coastline over 1000 kilometres long, your Crete villas are unlikely to be to far from the beach. The northern coast is particularly popular amongst tourists, with seaside resorts such as Gouves and Georgioupolis offering holidaymakers soft golden sand to lay on and clear blue waters to swim in. So if you're looking for something similar to the beaches of Corfu and Santorini, then these are the places to visit. Despite the decades of tourism pounding the island, and the development of major coastal resorts, there are still quite a number of idyllic, secluded beaches. If your holiday rental property is to the south of the island, Palaiochora is a beautiful beach worth making a trip to during your stay, as it provides you with an authentic experience of Greek island life rather than the usual hustle and bustle of tourist zones. Regardless of which beach on the island of Crete you go for in the end, there is sure to be an exciting and vibrant nightlife for you to experience after your day relaxing by the sea. If you'd rather avoid the tourist areas altogether, then one of the smaller Ionian Islands such as Paxos may be a better choice of holiday destination for you.