A day-trip to Rodopos Peninsula

Afrata Village

Diktynna

A day-trip to Gramvousa Peninsula

Balos Island

Gramvousa Restauarant

http://www.gramboussa-restaurant.gr/

How to have a great holiday in Crete

What is your idea of a 'great' holiday?

It all depends, of course, on your own definition of a holiday and what you're looking for. If you want lots of people, shopping and wild nightlife,  and an accommodation and environment that is not very different from your urban home -  except for the sun, the beach and the sea - then I recommend the North-East coast of Crete. But we don't know anything about that, so don't look here ...

Quiet, natural, peaceful, unspoilt landscapes and beaches?

If, on the other hand, you are looking for ... the good life ...

• romantic, quiet beaches, where you can be by yourself,
• beautiful walks in stunning scenery
• gorgeous sunsets and sunrises
• living close to nature, and in harmony with it,
• enjoying the pleasures of more traditional, simple lifestyles,
• a cultural environment away from stress, pressure and bustle,

then South-West Crete may be the spot for you.

We had been looking around the Mediterranean for quite some time, exploring different countries and locations,  and we haven't come across anything quite like the South-West coast of Crete.

The geography does not lend itself to mass tourism. You have to be determined to get here, driving an hour from the nearest airport in Chania, to cross the mountain range that divides the North and the South of the island.

Unlike the North coast, which has the National Road (motorway) stretching from East to West, the South coast is characterised by cliffs and gorges, which means you cannot just zip along the coast, but have to travel inland, on serpentine roads up and down the mountains, to get from one coastal town to the next (e.g. from Paleochora to Sougia).

People who love this area come for sun-bathing and hiking, swimming and cycling, the beauty of the nature and the simple attractions of the local culture.

What you do want, to make the most out of it, is a base and accommodation that provides a comfortable home in what is to some extent an extreme environment, primarily in terms of climate. We have built a house for ourselves which maximises the pleasures of outdoor living, in an idyllic mountain village, with a famous Kafenion (more like a restaurant, exquisite cuisine), and just a few minutes' drive from Paleochora and the sea. 

It is available for rent round the year, and it gets booked up 9 to 12 months in advance - we have lots of returning guests, so you need to book early to have a chance of getting in there at a time that works for you.

There are 330 days sunshine per year, so even the so-called 'winter' months are a balmy blessing in comparison to Northern climes - we have been known to sun-bathe on Christmas day. But it does get cold and rainy in the period between December and February, and when it rains, it does pour, but usually not for long.

We have installed an efficient eco-stove that will keep you an the water hot during those 10 to 14 weeks where it may be needed. Winter times are usually less booked up, so why don't you check out our availability calendar ...

"Anidri Villa" - Beautiful Holiday Home with Stunning Views over the Sea

The house is located in a small village on the Western South coast of Crete, offering gorgeous views over the sea. It is set amongst olive and carob trees, on a South-facing slope, with stunning sunrises and sunsets. It is designed to be cool in the summer, and comfortably warm in the winter. There are views to the sea in two directions: the main view to the South towards the 'Libyan Sea' and Anidri beach; and the view to the Southwest and towards the nearby tourist town of Paleochora and the sea there.

The village Anidri is a special place, combining traditional Greek charm with modern facilities and a cosmopolitan atmosphere - providing a home for a small local community and a dedicated contingent of tourists, away from the mass tourism and concrete hell of Northern Crete. You are secluded even from the low-key bustle of Paleochora which however is only a few minutes' drive away and will provide for all your modern needs of civilisation. The nearest beach is a 5-minute drive away (by Paleochora camp site), with plenty of more beaches in the vicinity. Anidri beach (Gianiskari) is further East (another 5 minutes) and has two cantinas, deck-chairs and umbrellas - everything else is nature.

All in all, we have tried our best to make this the perfect base for an ideal holiday, working with the land and the climate to create an easy, comfortable and effective living environment. 

Anidri - an idyllic Cretan Village

The village Anidri is a rare location, retaining a laid-back quiet traditional Greek atmosphere, but attracting a cosmopolitan crowd to its famous Kafenion which offers an unusual blend of Greek and European cuisine. The Kafenion is the heart of the small local community, and you find here all the help and information you want as a tourist, as well as a charming social life.

The tiny and quiet mountain village of Anidri is situated in a sunny valley, about 1.5 kilometres from the beach as the crow flies (or 40 minutes' gorgeous walk down the picturesque valley). With the car it takes about 5 minutes' drive to get to the sea, and 10 minutes to get to Anidri beach itself where you can find isolated bays, as well as more populated areas with two cafes and beaches with deck chairs and umbrellas.

A day in Elafonissi

Elafonissi is the most south-western tip of Crete, and it is a spectacular location and well worth a day-trip.
From Paleochora there are two different routes, depending on what kind of vehicle you have. If you're lucky enough to have access to a four-wheel-drive, then you can take the road close to the sea via the mountains. If you have a normal car, you need to drive inland, first towards Kandanos, then towards Elos, and then South again towards Elafonissi. Whichever way you go, it will take you the best part of 90 minutes to get there.

But I guarantee, you are not going to regret it.
Elafonissi has a wide stretch of sandy beach and dunes, protected by a small island that becomes accessible at low tide. In the summer, people wade across to find their own spot on the island, and spend the day. A picnic is all you need - bring a coolbox and a couple of blankets, and you're set for the day.

A day-trip to the ancient ruins of Lissos

A day-trip to Irini Gorge

A day-trip to the Botanical Park of Crete

Botanical Park of Crete

15th km from National Road of Hania

Fournes, Omalos, Crete - Mobile phone: 6976860573

We went on a sunny day in November, but the Park is an attraction for most of the year, especially of course in late summer/early autumn when many of the trees are heavy with ripe fruit.

Autumn temperatures in South-West Crete

As you can see, in the middle of November 2012 it is warm and sunny enough to sun-bathe and swim in the sea. There has been one badly needed day of rain (more like half a day and a night), but apart from that, it has been warm enough to walk around in a t-shirt and to be outside on the veranda. Around sunset you start needing a jumper or jacket, but the rest of the day is mild and pleasant.
It has to be said, it is currently unusually warm for this time of year, as by now the temperature would have turned, and it would normally be too cold to swim comfortably. Here is a good year-round summary for the weather in West Crete (although where we are it's a bit more sunny  throughout the year  than that summary suggests).