Crete’s all-singing beach resort where families come first
THE Minoans were an industrious lot. As well as olive oil, they produced wine, pottery, jewellery and a whole range of ‘household goods’, all of which helped fund the construction of the Palace of Knossos on Crete’s north coast.
For us Britons, a tour of this extraordinary site (built almost 2,000 years before the Roman Empire) is enhanced by knowing that a Welsh archaeologist called Sir Arthur Evans discovered it.
An hour or so here is well worth the €15 (£13.70) entry fee (free for under-18s). It gives a sense of why Crete (birthplace of Zeus) considers itself a part of Greece, but not of Greece, with a season that lasts well into November.
Domes of Elounda hotel, not far from ritzy Agios Nikolaos, keeps expanding. Owned by a Greek doctor and built from scratch, it is targeted at families.
In fact, don’t even think about coming here without a few sprogs in tow. Yes, there’s a ‘Quiet Zone’ on the beach, but its effectiveness reminds me of when smokers were asked to sit at the back of the plane.
When the resort is full, there can be 400 people, in apartments, duplexes and modern villas reached by electric buggies.
The provision for children is outstanding. You can drop off a child aged three months at the creche and pick him or her up again at tea-time.
There are all sorts of clubs for the five to 12-year-olds; a games hall for teenagers; a watersports centre; boat rides; at least six pools, and four restaurants.
A coat of white paint, rather than brown, would conjure up a touch of the Santorini spirit. But you’re not here to argue over paint, just to prove that a slice of luxury can be combined with traditional family holiday mayhem.
Choose your apartment with care. The best come with views of Spinalonga, a fortress island founded by the Venetians in 1579. Boat trips to the island come and go from Elounda and from the little hamlet of Plaka, a pleasant walk from the hotel.
Seasoned fans of Crete will tell you that the best of this island remains still largely undiscovered — and that you should get on with discovering it. A bit like Sir Arthur Evans when he chanced upon Knossos Palace.