6x this is how you do Crete right
Oh oh cherso, how well we remember the time of Starbeach and Chersonnisos. Enjoy floating in the sultry river of the water park. Past the plebs, the empty beer bottles and whatnot. And then an exotic trip to nearby Malia, full of vulgar Englishmen and vomiting pub crawlers. Yes, it was Crete at its best. But not really. Because you and we know perfectly well that Crete is much more than that. Where do you need to be and what do you want to do there? We have listed it for you.
Sometimes... Sometimes you find a place that you don't really want to share. There are a few of them on this site, that's true, but we try to hide them as best we can. No idea if that will work in the case of the too nice thing Villa Ippocampi on the surprisingly nice Greek island of Crete, but we will try. Crete… That sounds like an overpopulated holiday island with too many Dutch people, right? You might think that way, and if everyone thinks that, then there is more room for us. Moreover, Villa Ippocampi Crete is a hidden one. A place of discovery. A pearl. And once you've found it, you'll never want to leave the fresh blue-white Greek dream just a stone's throw from the sea where creativity hangs in the air and it smells like an artist's haven.
Hidden but a household name in Crete is the pink beach of Elafonisi in the southwestern corner of the island: despite the distance from the busiest Crete, it is a popular beach and you are most likely not the only one who thinks about visiting the beach at the same time. during a summer weekend. A raw beauty it is, with glassy aquamarine waters and pastel pink sand kissing the shore – a natural phenomenon caused by thousands of shells that have washed up over the years and colored the white sand. Sunbeds and parasols are available for hire spread across the beach and the shallow water is perfect for families. If you need a little more privacy, do what the naturists do and head to the island's coves and dunes for a quieter stretch of sand.
Yes, it is a resort, and no, we are not normally fans of that (unless Hillside Beach Club in Turkey is). Or Stella Island is in Crete. Stella Island feels and looks, as the name suggests, like an island. While it is really located in the Analipsi district, 5 kilometers from Chersonissos.
How does Stella do that? Well, the hotel rooms – call it cabanas – line the banks of the pool, and that pool looks more like a bright blue lagoon than a chlorine tank. This gives you the privacy you want, but luxury, service and control are within reach. More of a beach person? Walk 300 meters and you are standing with your feet in the sand.
By the way, Stella Island is also nice enough to dine alone, or just enjoy an aperitif.
Even further from Chersonissos is Samomos, a picturesque village that does not remind you of the mass tourism of Cherso and Malia. Saminos has few inhabitants, and many stars. Because it is located in the mountains and then you get those kinds of starry skies.
While you're here, you'll want to stay in Samonas Villas. These are authentic villas that offer views of the mountains, the valley and the sea. Sounds delicious, right? Each villa is built on a different level due to the steep slope of the plot and features terraces, balconies, verandas or hidden gardens. Very cozy.
More need for it hip & happening atmosphere? Then you want to go Cabana Mare beach club. A trendy hotspot, located in Chania, where you go to lie by the pool, with those hip tunes in the background. But of course you can also lie on the beach, with or without a bottle of bubbles. In the evening they organize pool parties here with some regularity and the sushi tastes good here too.
But you should really just read this list: all our 2020/2021 adventures on the Greek island of Crete at a glance. Enjoy!
If you are lazy - which you may be on holiday - then you have... Domes of Elounda everything you want. This enchanting retreat is located on the rocky east coast of Crete and overlooks the islet of Spinalonga. That view is nice, you might say special, but staying here is also nice. Because the Domes of Elounda are beautifully decorated - with all those accessories that we love at Bart. And the food is delicious, and and and, the in-house stores are also quite nice. Starbeach who?
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