Family Holidays: Crete family holidays
Take the Family holiday rating 
Why
Crete – the largest of the Greek islands - is a fantastic destination
for a family holiday. Great beaches, family friendly hotels for all budgets
and the cradle of early Mediterranean civilisation all within a four-hour flight
of the UK.
Plus it has the sort of food kids love and recognise – humous, tarmasalata,
olives, pitta bread, chicken kebabs, the lot – a big relief when you’re
abroad and the little ones won’t eat. Plus there’s the odd glass
of Retsina for Mum & Dad and wherever you look white fishing villages, stunning
landscapes and above all that sparkling blue Greek sea.
- Top left: Agios Nikolaos
- Top right: Minoan Fresco, Crete
- Bottom left: Traditional dress, Crete
- Bottom right: Agios Nikolaos Vai
When
Being the most southerly outpost of Europe, Crete has a mild and exceptionally dry climate with average monthly temperatures ranging from 22? to 35?C. In July and August the "meltemi", a northerly wind brings a cool breeze to the warm summer days.
How
British Airways offers a direct
flight to Heraklion through its subsidiary GB Airways. There are also numerous
direct charter flight options to Chania and Heraklion leaving and arriving
back at several UK airports at both reasonable and highly unreasonable (especially
with young kids in tow) times of the day. Or
you can fly via Athens on Olympic Airways. Flight time is around four hours.
From the airport you'd either rent a car or have a transfer arranged for you.
Do
As little or as much as you like.
Just sit by the sea or laze by the pool while your children are entertained in a children’s club.
And when you or (less likely) they are bored with that, hire a car and head for Crete’s natural and ancient wonders.
There are impressive remains, which date from different periods of its history: Minoan palaces, Byzantine churches, Venetian castles and Turkish minarets.
The 13th century Byzantine church of Kera stands at the entrance to the picturesque village of Kritsa, 20 kms from Elounda. Its frescoes are considered to be the most beautiful of Crete.
A must is Knossos, Crete’s most important ancient palace around which the Minoan (lots of big moo moos) civilisation grew and prospered. The Iraklion Archaeological Museum houses a stunning collection of Minoan jewellery and artwork including the original frescoes from Knossos.
Another interesting trip is the Plateau of Lassithi where the legendary Dikte cave is located. Zeus, father of the Gods, was born here.
Crete’s landscape itself is a combination of rugged mountains with wild flowers, vineyards, orange groves, forgotten ruins and isolated chapels in the upland parts.
Travel reading
by David Willett
Buy from Amazon.co.uk
A highly informative and useful introduction to most Greek Islands.
by C. Evans et al
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The whole family will enjoy this book.
