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,
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 ...
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