​Off The Beaten Track

​​Planning

​​​​2nd April 2014

Many visitors to Crete tend to gravitate towards the larger towns; to the capital, Heraklion, or to towns like Malia and Chersonissos which have a reputation for their night life. However, if you want to experience the true culture of Crete, we recommend moving away from the tourist hotspots and out to the peaceful villages. Western Crete provides many such locations, where you can enjoy stunning views and traditional Cretan hospitality, whilst still being within reach of the big attractions should you wish to include them in your holiday.

Many of our holiday villas in Crete are traditional properties, updated with a range of modern comforts to give you the perfect base for exploring this beautiful island. With many of these properties, you’ll have a fantastic terrace or courtyard where you can enjoy al fresco dining whilst taking in the wonderful landscape. Many also come with pools, so that you can enjoy a refreshing dip, or sunbathe at the poolside in the long hours of Cretan sunshine. The best thing about a villa that’s away from the main tourist trail is that you’ll enjoy plenty of peace and quiet, with bird song and sheep bells often the only sounds to break the tranquillity.

Away from your villa, you’ll be able to take a stroll or a drive to the nearest village or town and stop at a traditional kafeneion (coffee shop) or taverna. Take your time; traditional lunches and dinners in Crete aren’t rushed, and you can easily take a couple of hours to enjoy it properly. Cretan culture tends to revolve around the church, and many towns and villages have fine old churches which are well worth visiting. It’s also worth finding out when the local church’s Saints Day is; these tend to be the cause for big celebrations, so if you happen to be visiting at the right time you’ll be in for a treat.

Around the Western Crete area you’ll find plenty of unspoilt countryside; from the splendours of the White Mountains to the sandy beaches near Kalives, with rural farmland, vineyards and olive groves in between. These are excellent areas to explore if you have an interest in the local flora and fauna, which are in and of themselves enough of an attraction to draw many visitors back year after year.

Whatever brings you to Crete, whether it’s the sunshine, the beautiful landscape, the fascinating flora and fauna or the warmth of Cretan hospitality, we’re sure that you’ll enjoy your stay in any of these beautiful secluded properties.