Crete, Greece
The biggest Greek island is a real beauty – and a bargain for visitors. With soaring mountains, vast plains and ancient ruins; also pretty Orthodox church bell towers, beachy villages and harbours, and great cities like the capital, Heraklion, where you’ll likely to fly into.
Once you’ve had your fill of the busy, non-stop city, it’s easy to orient yourself to other must-see destinations such as Knossos: the mythological home of the Minotaur. The palace was renovated in the 19th century and is hugely photogenic as a result. Heraklion is also your jumping off point for the Bay of Elounda, made famous by generations of holiday brochures. Here, hotels and resorts overlook the island of Spinalonga, which inspired Victoria Hislop’s novel
Found bargain flights to Crete’s other city, Chania? No problem – this is the gateway to the western and south-western parts of the island. Chania itself has many charms, though, including a very pretty harbour front of tavernas. There’s also an enchanting old town, packed with grill restaurants and arty shops.
From Chania, take the bus down to Loutro, in the south-west. The port is like a picture postcard with its cubic hotels and calm waters, and from here cheap ferries will whisk you to sleepy beaches, far away from the crowds.
✱ BOOK IT: Loveholidays (loveholidays.com) has seven nights in Crete this August for £360pp, including UK flights