Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Kolymvari - Maheri - Aghios Nikolaos - Héraklion
100% customisable for you
Your family getaway to Crete begins today. After the usual pre-departure flurry at home, head to the airport and board your four-hour flight to Chania, in north-west Crete. Once you’ve landed and collected your bags, collect your family-friendly hire car and drive around half an hour to Kolymvari, an idyllic coastal hamlet well away from the crowds of Chania.
Your home for the next three nights is a spacious guesthouse surrounded by beautiful Mediterranean flora, offering a calm introduction to island life. The rest of the day is yours to unwind and settle in. We recommend heading straight down to the local beach to stretch out on the sand, enjoy a first swim in the sea and soak up the late-afternoon sunshine before a relaxed evening.
The next two days are all about exploring the scenic and cultural treasures of western Crete. Both coast and countryside are wonderfully varied, with olive groves carpeting the hills, winding hiking trails, ancient hilltop churches and glorious sunsets that seem to linger just a little longer here. Beaches are plentiful, too, with Kolymvari close by and Falasarna and Balos well worth the drive.
On one of your days here, you can see the coastline from a different angle on a sailing trip from Chania to the small island of Agii Theodori. During the trip, expect time for birdwatching and swimming, with light refreshments served on board. When you dock back in Chania, we recommend taking a few hours to discover this popular and very colourful city. There are plenty of fascinating historical sites here, such as the Venetian port and the Mosque of the Janissaries. For a dose of culture, the 17th-century Notre-Dame de Gonia monastery lies just beyond town.
Your journey across Crete continues today. After a hearty breakfast, bundle the family back into your hire car and travel just under an hour inland to Maheri, a peaceful village set within a natural amphitheatre formed by the mountain. Check in for four nights at a rustic hotel, surrounded by open countryside and olive groves.
The remainder of the day is yours to ease into a slower rhythm of life. Stretch your legs with a gentle walk through the village and surrounding countryside before returning to the hotel to enjoy a relaxed dinner showcasing seasonal, locally sourced produce.
The next three days are yours to enjoy the slower pace of life in and around Maheri. Your time here is all about slowing down and enjoying the quieter moments – whether that’s reading in the shade of the garden while the children splash around in the pool, renting bikes to explore the surrounding countryside or learning the secrets of Cretan cooking with the hotel’s in-house chef.
When you’re ready to stretch your legs, head into the mountains for a hike through the dramatic Samaria Gorge. More adventurous walkers may prefer the longer 11-mile trail, which winds from the gorge entrance across the Omalos plateau before descending to the coastal village of Agia Roumeli. We can also arrange a guided visit to the atmospheric Melidoni Cave, followed by a hands-on pottery workshop.
Today you’ll swap Crete’s western countryside for its eastern shores. After breakfast, hop back into your hire car and set off towards Agios Nikolaos, a picturesque coastal town just east of the island’s capital, Heraklion. The journey takes around two-and-a-half hours, however you’ll be making a stop at Heraklion along the way to admire some of its splendid sights in the company of a knowledgeable local guide.
Your first destination when you reach the capital is the Palace of Knossos, the largest and most impressive of Crete’s Minoan sites. At its peak, more than 300 people lived in this opulent complex, including the royal family. According to Greek mythology, the labyrinth of underground passages housed a Minotaur, a half-man, half-bull believed to be the King’s son.
Continue to the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, the second largest museum in Greece and one of the most recognised in the world for Greek antiquities. This is a great opportunity for both the adults and the little ones to delve into the magical world of ancient Greece, from the beginning of the Greek civilisation right up until the Roman period.
Later, continue to Agios Nikolaos and check into your hotel for the final three nights. Spend the rest of today relaxing at the hotel, before enjoying a delicious meal and a good night’s rest after a busy day.
Your final two days are dedicated to slowing the pace and enjoying life by the sea. Your hotel is ideally located within walking distance of both the bustling port of Aghios Nikolaos and the azure waters of Mirabello Bay.
When you’re in the mood for culture, the town offers an art museum and an archaeological museum showcasing regional finds. Otherwise, these days are best spent embracing the water: alternate between the hotel pool and nearby beaches, or simply settle in with a book while the little ones make the most of the sunshine.
If you fancy venturing a little further afield, there are plenty of sightseeing options, from the Fameromemi Monastery and the ancient city of Lato to the Krtisa amphitheatre. You could also hike through the Kotsifos Gorge, stroll through the narrow streets of Spili, and round off the day with ice creams for the children – and a sunset drink for the adults.
Sadly, your time in Crete has come to a close. After one final delicious Greek breakfast at the hotel this morning (and a last splash around in the pool for the youngsters), it’s time to begin the journey home. Jump back into your hire car and travel one hour to Heraklion Airport. Drop off the car, check in and board your four-hour flight back to the UK, bringing an end to an unforgettable family adventure filled with sun, sea and stories from ancient Greece.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
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