Spinalonga Island
Just across from the bay of Elounda, visit the fascinating island of Spinalonga, which translates to ‘long thorn’. Controlled by the Venetians until the 17th century, it then fell to the Ottomans, before becoming a leper colony. The island has been uninhabited since 1957, but today you can visit and walk around the ruined fortress, emblematic churches and colourful reconstructions of store fronts. The tiny island also inspired author Victoria Hislop, along with her own family connection to the island, to create the 2005 bestselling novel, The Island.
Cuisine
Foodies will be in heaven in Crete! Olives and olive oil are a staple part of any Cretan dish, so visit one of many Olive Oil producers and see how the liquid gold is created. The mountains above Neapoli open onto the enormous fertile Lasithi Plateau, where family farms produce the rich Greek yoghurts that enliven Cretan cuisine. Pair your meal with brilliant local wine from the region beyond Sitim, covered in vineyards that produce highly commendable wines - especially whites. Whatever you decide to sample, flavoursome Cretan cuisine does not disappoint!
Landscape
Crete is well known for its lovely beaches - ranging from small stone shingle coves, to long sandy stretches, accompanied by stunning gorges rising dramatically from the sea. Perhaps less frequented, the island’s interior landscape is just as beautiful; mountainsides are populated with vineyards, olive groves and fields of artichokes, whilst other areas are densely forested and even desert-like, filled with cacti and palm trees. If you’re a keen walker, you may wish to attempt the Samaria Gorge walk within the Samaria National Park, surrounded by the canyon’s undeniable raw beauty. Generally, the gorge is open from May to October and is approximately sixteen kilometres from the starting point.
Incredible Archaeological sites
There are scores of monasteries, churches and archaeological sites on Crete. Just a few kilometres outside the town of Agios Nikolaos, discover Crete's greatest ecclesiastical treasure, the 13th-century church of Panagia Kera. Head to Knossos, just outside Heraklion, to discover a complex of Minoan ruins, unearthed by the British Archaeologist, Sir Arthur Evans, in the early 1900s. There isn't much left of Phaestos, one of Crete’s most important sites, but the stone foundations are largely intact and allow you to vividly picture the layout of this ancient Minoan palace.
Travel Planning
Our Travel Consultants can advise on, arrange and pre-book many things to enhance your holiday. This includes everything from spa reservations and dinner reservations, to a range of special experiences available in our featured resorts that you may not know about.
On The Water
Take a trip on Blue Palace, A luxury Collection Resort & Spa's traditional Caique fishing boat, from the resort’s own jetty and sail through the crystal clear waters around the Mirabello Gulf, enjoying the sun set as you sip a glass of Champagne.
Flight Time
London Gatwick to Heraklion, Crete: 3 hours, 55 minutes. Other UK Regional flights are also available.
Travelling With Children or Without an Adult
Children travelling without both parents should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. Please contact the relevant Embassy for the county you are travelling to for further information.
Visa and Advance Passenger Information
All passengers must ensure they have a valid, acceptable passport, any required visa and any other documentation for both the final destination and any stop-off points en route. Please make sure that Advance Passenger Information is submitted in advance to travel for all destinations. Failure to hold correct documentation or submitting incorrect details with Advance Passenger Information or Visa applications may result in refusal of carriage or entry into a country. Please check with the relevant Embassy regarding visa requirements well in advance of your travel date. Charges may apply for some visas.
Passengers not travelling on a British Passport are advised to contact their relevant Foreign & Commonwealth office for individual Visa requirements.
For up-to-date resort information, visit www.fco.gov.uk
Health facilities, hygiene and disease risks vary worldwide and you should take health advice about your specific needs from your general practitioner or a specialist clinic as early as possible before travel. Those planning to become pregnant should discuss their travel plans with their healthcare provider to assess their risk of infection with Zika. For information about Zika, other mosquito-borne diseases (such as Dengue fever and Chikungunya), Lyme Disease (caused by tick bites), and to receive advice on mosquito bite avoidance measures, please visit Insect and tick bite avoidance.
In addition, we highly recommend that you seek specialist advice from your doctor and, where recommended, obtain vaccinations or tablets for protection against, for example: Malaria, Hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid. In some cases, treatments for Malaria should begin well in advance of travel. Travellers may also be required to show Yellow Fever Certificates on arrival in certain destinations ie, some African countries. Please note that you are strongly advised against scuba-diving for 24 hours before travelling by air. We would also like to draw your attention to the risk of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and recommend that you consult with your doctor before travelling.
Visit the FCDO website and select your destination country for the very latest travel advice: Foreign Travel Advice. Additional sources of information include: Public Health England, The National Travel Health And Network Centre, Foreign And Commonwealth Office and your General Practitioner or a specialised clinic.