The Crete story

The Crete Story

 

So have just come back from a relaxing holiday in Crete. It is a lovely island and great for rustic photography. Here is a short summary of our holiday. 

Crete views

Elounda

Elounda beach

Views from Elounda beach



Relaxing in the sun

Clear waters

Perfect waters for snorkelling or diving

Happy Baby



Blue skies

Scenic Crete

Hotel: Elounda Mare hotel, Relais & Chateaux

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Hotel Entrance

Hotel views

Hotel Views

Hotel rooftops

Hotel views

Soaking in the sun

Hotel grounds

Love this little balcony

On the beach



Daddy-Daughter Day on the beach

Hotel beach

Elounda Peninsula (sister hotel) beach

This is a lovely hotel located on the beachfront in Elounda. It is a very rustic hotel with some amazing sea views and charming exterior. In addition, the hotel grounds are massive with amazing views and a lovely beach.

You can also use their nearby sister hotels for beaches or kids daycare. The hotel arranges a free shuttle anytime you ask for it.   

Reception Lounge

Hotel reception lounge

View from hotel reception

Hotel grounds

Baby had a lot of space to explore!

Miniature pomegranate tree!

Cutie running in the hotel grounds

..and her bunny!



Rustic



Walking in the lovely grounds

 

I was disappointed with the Breakfast, which is limited and very uninspiring for a Mediterranean hotel and extremely limited room service after 11 pm. However, they more than make up for it with delicious lunches and dinners and great service

Pool at Night

Hotel exterior

Enjoying the summer night outside our room

So overall it's a great hotel and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay and can’t wait to go back!



Pool Day

Love this view

Lounging in the sun

Hotel Grounds: Walk to the beach

Baby and Mommy swim time

It is a very quite hotel so I had the pool to myself most days!

Pool to myself



Water baby

Baby at Kid Club in Elounda Peninsula

Baby enjoying the gardens

Elounda town

Elounda Town centre

Elounda Port

Posing in the port

Baby loving the boats!

This a truly charming rustic Greek town with many local sovenier shops and authentic restaurants.



Elounda port

Food

Taverna Leonidas 

Rating; 5 out of 5

Taverna Leonidas exterior



Taverna Leonidas: Interior

This is a small Greek restaurant near Elounda bay. The food is very authentic and absolutely scrumptious. True taste of Mediterenean cuisine.

Stuffed Vine Leaves

Greek meatballs in tomato sauce

Stuffed peppers

In addition, the service is fantastic and very friendly

Highly recommend it.

Rustic charm

Accessorising

Taverna Vachus

Elounda

Rating: 3 out of 5

Taverna Vachus Exterior

This is a lovely restaurant located in Elounda village. The service is great and staff are very helpful and friendly. 

However, the food was disappointing. It was very average and catered for tourists. Some dishes were good while others very average

Hit and miss sort of place. 

Lamb kleftiko

Meatballs in tomato sauce

Mezze

Blue Sea Restaurant, Elounda

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Blue Sea Restaurant Exterior

Views from Blue Sea Restaurant

This restaurant is by Elounda town beach area. The service and food were absolutely fantastic and the location is stunning. 

Grilled Fish Steak

Greek meatballs

Hummus and pita bread

In addition, they have high chairs for babies so that was great.

The Greek meatballs in tomato sauce were amazing! Highly recommend them.

Cocktails

Lunching on the Aegean!

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Spinalonga Island

Rating: 4 out of 5

Spinalonga

Spinalonga

Spinalonga: Boat drop off

On the way to Spinalonga

Spinalonga is a small island near Elounda. Spinalonga has a long history due to its strategic location but up until the 1950s it was used as a leper colony and is also known as the leper island. It is the last European leper colony. 

Fort at Spinalonga

Views from Spinalonga

Gate to the Aegean

Aegean sea

Ruins of leper colony at Spinalonga

Views from Spinalonga

Fort at Spinalonga

Aegean

Rustic architecture

It is a fortified island about 20 min by boat from Elounda. You can get tickets from Elounda harbour for only €10 per person. However, the boats are not really on a particular schedule and no information is provided re pick up from the island so be preformed to wait - which can be very annoying in the heat. 

The island itself is uninhabited and has some stunning views. It also includes ruins of the leper colony and the fort.

Views of Crete

Admiring the views

Streets of Spinalonga

House in Spinalonga

Definitely worth a visit but the disorganised boats annoyed me.

Ruins at Spinalonga

Peering from old houses

Colourful doors

Rustic Blue

Relaxing after exploring the island

Scenic

View from fort at Spinalonga

Ruins of the leper colony at Spinalonga

Bye Bye, Spinalonga!

Agios Nikolaos

This is the main town of the Elounda region. It's bustling with shops and tourists and has some lovely silver jewelry to offer. 

Lake in Agios Nikolaos

Agios Nikolaos Town Centre

There are numerous restaurants and cafes along the marina and the lake so great place for shopping and chilling! 

However, prices can be greatly inflated on local wares compared to surrounding towns. 

Bracelets at local shops

Jewellery at local stores

Locally crafted and hand-knitted bags

Holiday style



Top: Miss Selfridge; Jeans: Zara; Sandals: Juicy Couture



Sandals: TK Maxx

Sandals: Prada; Hat: Local shops in Elounda

Kaftan: Elena Antoniadus; Sandals: Juicy Couture; Hat: Local selection

Top: Zara

Bikini: Michael Kors; Sandals: Juicy Couture

Dress: Dries Van Noten; Sneakers: Prada

Sandals: Prada

Dress: Selection at local shops; Bag: Mulberry; Belt: Versace

Top: H&M; Pants: Zara; Bag: Mulberry; Sandals: Juicy Couture

Sandals: Juicy Couture

Bag: Prada