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Island Crete

Crete - Holidays on the largest Greek island of the Aegean Sea in natural stone houses, luxury villas or traditional country houses with private swimming pool

Crete, the southernmost island of Europe, offers a Mediterranean climate with many hours of sunshine and is, not least because of its long history, the star among the Greek islands and therefore one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. The "paradise of Crete" has something special to offer for every Greece lover. Besides olive groves, rough and rugged mountain ranges characterize the wonderful landscape. Crete enchants with many beautiful beaches, almost two and a half thousand meter high mountains, famous and deep gorges and fertile plateaus. On an extension of two hundred and sixty kilometres from east to west and up to sixty kilometres from north to south you will experience an island of extreme scenic contrasts. In addition to its fantastic cultural heritage just waiting to be explored, Crete sets almost unattainable standards with its culinary highlights. The Cretans themselves are a particularly friendly and proud people, but first and foremost, they offer boundless hospitality.

Convince yourself of this and experience "pure Crete" in one of our carefully selected villas with private swimming pool, which are also ideal for a family holiday, and treat yourself to an unforgettable break.

Read on

Beautiful beaches to rugged mountains

One of the most beautiful beaches of Crete and even Europe is the shell beach of Elafonisi, whose turquoise water contrasts paradisiacally with the pink to pink tinted sand. The pink colour results from all the crushed shells, which colour the sand and the shallow sea there. The sandy beach at the south-western tip of the island is further characterized by several sandbanks that run through the turquoise water. This is where the "Caribbean feeling" really comes into being - fine sand, ankle-deep, wide-stretching lagoon in perfect sickle shape. Elafonisi beach, located in the far west, is also very popular with families, although it may take some time to get there due to its remote location.

About 60 km northwest of Chania is the white lagoon beach Balos with the island Gramvousa in front of it. A multitude of mussel and coral particles give this beach its particularly bright colouring. Please note that the way to the beach is connected with a small trekking tour through rocky sections downwards - therefore sturdy shoes are recommended! If you don't want to walk to the parking lot by car, you can also take a ferry from Kissamos harbour. Regardless of which route you choose, it is worth it, although this beach is very well visited due to its exceptional beauty. Especially on foot, arriving from above, you will find a stunning view of the Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa Island, and you may even be able to observe the amazing fauna (falcons, monk seals and the occasional Caretta-Caretta sea turtle).

At the north-eastern end of Crete, Vai beach is famous for its palm trees. This beach is home to the only naturally growing date palm grove in Greece and even Europe with over 5000 palm trees. Legend has it that the palm trees grew from seeds that were disposed of by Saracen pirates and washed up by the sea. Besides this event, Vai is a real dream beach because of its natural beauty with fine sand and crystal clear water. In addition, there are many other beautiful and also well-known sandy beaches, such as Komos, Triopetra, Agios Georgios, Agia Fotia, Falasarna, palm beach Preveli along the coast of Crete.

Furthermore, the island of Crete is defined by a mountain range extending from west to east, which is basically steeper towards the south coast and flatter towards the north. Lefka Ori (the White Mountains) is the largest and westernmost mountain range on the island, but the highest mountain Psiloritis, at 2456 metres, belongs to the Ida Mountains, which are located in central Crete and which form an imposing structure alongside the fertile Messara Plain. The mountain ranges of the fascinating White Mountains are partly still forested with maritime pines, cypresses and special oaks. From there, Europe's longest gorge, Samaria, stretches 17 km to the southern coast, which can be hiked through in the summer months with a little practice and good equipment and makes the hiking heart of those who come from all over the world beat faster. With a little luck you will see exotic plants as well as Cretan wild goats. A fantastic view is guaranteed in any case!

The Dikti Mountains, located in the eastern part of the Aegean island, line the famous and also fertile Lasithi plateau, where you can still see many windmills that were used for the former irrigation of agriculture. The famous Psychro Cave, also known as Zeus Cave, can be explored here. Guided mountain tours to enjoy a bird's eye view over large parts of Crete are highly recommended. But also easier walks on the many E4 hiking trails are a real pleasure, because the flora and fauna of Crete is unique!

Not to be forgotten are the sandstone caves in Matala, which in the Neolithic Age served as residential and later as burial caves. In the 1960s these hippies attracted people from all over the world. The island also offers many other caves, like Melidoni or Kournas.

Fantastic cultural heritage

One of the most famous archaeological excavations from the time of ancient Greece is the palace of Knossos. This palace represents the glorious time of the Minoans around 2000 BC, during which the Minoan people developed from the Stone Age to a high culture. Many palaces were built during this period in Crete, the palace of Knossos being the most important and largest and also the best preserved in our time. A visit to this palace, or to the palace of Phaistos in the central south of the island, is certainly something special for every visitor to Crete who is interested in culture.

Besides historical buildings and many museums, the particularly picturesque places and harbours are worth a visit. One of these beautiful places is the port city of Chania with its lively and original old town. Enjoy a walk along the charming 14th century Venetian port and feel the impressions of a bygone era along with a gentle sea breeze. The beautiful city of Chania is also famous for its culinary delights. Many particularly good restaurants are located in the old town of Chania.

Heraklion, the capital of the island of Crete, has many other historical sights in addition to the atmospheric old town and the Venetian port, such as the Archaeological Museum, which offers a unique insight into the Minoan culture, the Historical Museum with its Byzantine medieval collection, the Icon Museum with a variety of frescoes and icons and the Natural History Museum with special impressions of the flora and fauna of the eastern Mediterranean.

Also worth a visit is the harbour town of Rethymno with its fortress "Fortezza" and its archaeological museum. Experience the beautiful views in one of the idyllic cafés and traditional Kafenia at the local Venetian port.

The whole island is also characterized by monasteries, churches and palaces worth seeing.

Culinary delight

he Cretan cuisine uses a lot of food that is produced in the country itself. These include tasty olives and olive oil made from them, yoghurt, sheep's cheese, fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as fish and mainly lamb, but also rabbit and chicken. Mediterranean herbs such as oregano, thyme, mint, laurel, rosemary and garlic give the dishes a delicate taste. Various delicacies made from legumes, such as the honey-yellow looking Fava (chickpea puree) are also always on the menu of Cretan taverns. Especially in the summer heat, a fresh tzatziki in combination with a Greek farmer's salad with olives and feta made from sheep's milk is certainly a "must". An appetizer only available on Crete is dakos, where a repeatedly baked bread made of barley flour is topped with slices of tomato, feta and herbs. Also worth mentioning are the pickled wild capers and also the homemade honey, which is produced all over the island.

Very tasty red wines, white wines and rose wines are produced on Crete. The vineyards in Archanes and other wine-growing areas of Crete allow wonderful grapes to ripen. The high-proof Raki, a liquor distilled on the island itself, has a long tradition and should not be missed after a great meal.
As you have surely noticed, it is very easy to find the right delicacies on Crete. The Mediterranean climate allows the growth of many wild herbs to sun-ripened tomatoes as well as oranges and lemons all year round.

The particularly healthy as well as diverse Mediterranean cuisine of Crete will inspire you!

You will be delighted!

Enjoy your holiday in beautiful natural stone houses, traditional country houses and exclusive luxury villas with private swimming pool on the Aegean island of Crete.

Island Samos

Enjoy your relaxing and also eventful vacation in an exclusive villa or a typical country house with swimming pool on the Greek island of Samos

Enjoy your relaxing and also eventful vacation in an exclusive villa or a typical country house with swimming pool on the Greek island Samos
The island of Samos is located in the eastern Aegean Sea and is the eighth largest island in Greece. It is not only one of the most popular, but also one of the most beautiful islands in Greece, characterized by its lush green nature, quaint mountain villages, picturesque fishing villages and stunning beaches. Provided you can tear yourself away from Samos' beautiful beaches, hiking around the vegetated island and visiting its diverse historical sites are almost a "must". Throughout the island there are numerous archaeological monuments and sites from different historical periods.
The charming island is the perfect destination for a relaxing vacation on paradisiacal beaches and for adventurous tours in the great nature! In addition, enjoy the special wines and culinary delights of Samos Island.

Read on

Picturesque beaches with crystal clear waters

The coast of Samos is lined with many beautiful beaches such as Tsamadou, Tsabou, Psili Ammos and Agios Konstantinos among others, which will delight beach lovers. The beaches located in the south are less prone to wind and offer calmer waters, which is ideal for families with smaller children.
Universally popular and accordingly well-attended, the small beach of Psili Ammos in the southeast of the island is one of the few pure sand beaches on Samos. From here, the nearby Turkish coast can be easily seen.
In the south-west of the island is Limonas Beach, which offers more services including boat rentals and small tavernas. Limonas Beach is very clean, the water calm as well as crystal clear, making it wonderful for families. It consists partly of gravel and partly of sand.
For those who are looking for rest and relaxation, Tripiti beach, located in the north, is the right place. At the entrance of Kampos, a small footpath leads down to the small, hidden bathing bay, which offers only a handful of sunbeds and umbrellas. Tripiti Beach is a beautiful bathing bay with a sandy beach and some stones in the clear water.
Framed by high rocks in the north near Avlakia is the beach Tsabou, which can also be reached by car via a path leading to the bay. On the pebble beach there are sunbeds and umbrellas available - service on the beach as well as an idyllic taverna with typical homemade Greek food can also be found.
A little further east in the direction of Kokkari, a little off the coast road, lies the also very popular beach Tsamadou. The pebble beach bay with sun loungers and umbrellas is surrounded by greenery and offers aquamarine water.

Green nature paradise

Samos offers a variety of natural attractions such as waterfalls, caves or remote mountain villages, which can also be reached via one or the other of the numerous hiking routes through olive groves and vineyards.
A well-known natural beauty are the Potami waterfalls in the northwest of Samos. From Karlovasi you hike through the green nature reserve to the Potami Waterfalls, where at the end the clear, cool water of the pools awaits the hikers for refreshment. Those who are still full of energy after this cooling off can hike to the nearby Potami beach and let the day end in a relaxed way. Last but not least, there are countless other hiking trails that crisscross the island of Samos.
The idyllic Nightingale Valley is a popular hiking area, in a small forest lined with plane trees. On hot summer days, this tour offers a nicely shaded and thus cooler Eldorado for hikers. A popular hiking tour leads from the village of Vourliotes via Manolates, through the Nightingale Valley down to the coast at Agios Konstantinos.
Numerous springs and small rivers with fresh water make the island a very fertile island with green mountains, flowering meadows and productive fields.

Historical sights - rustic mountain villages

According to the myth, Samos was the island of the ancient Greek goddess Hera. Therefore, the locals built a great sanctuary in her honor, the Heraion. Near the Heraion is the Eupaline Tunnel, which was once the aqueduct of ancient Samos and one of the greatest engineering achievements of its time.
In fact, the famous scientist and philosopher Pythagoras was born on Samos, who was persecuted during his activity because of his very own and controversial publications at that time. The latter hid in the Pythagoras Cave, named after him, in the west of Samos before escaping to Italy. The cave is located on the slopes of the Kerkis mountain massif above a gorge.
For those who like to explore, there are more places to discover on Samos. One of them is the monastery of Panagia Spiliani above Pythagorion. There lies a mysterious cave church where the holy icon of the Virgin Mary was probably found.
It is worth a drive over many serpentines to reach the two picturesque mountain villages of Vourliotes and Manolates, situated in dense forests. On the slopes of the Ambelos mountains lies the quaint mountain village of Vourliotes "a real eye-catcher", where shutters, doors and facades in a variety of colors attract attention. Here, traditional mezze is served in the village square, popular with hikers, mountain bikers and excursionists, so the quieter evening hours there certainly have their merits.
After a few kilometers you can reach the village of Manolates, which makes a mark on handicrafts. A large number of stores selling handicrafts and pottery are available for the acquisition of particularly beautiful souvenirs. The alleys of the villages, however, also let you feel the rural as well as peasant life, since the inhabitants live to a large extent from the olive and wine cultivation.
Furthermore, a vacation on Samos is a good opportunity for a boat trip to the nearby islands of Ikaria and Fourni. In addition, due to the proximity to the Turkish coast, there are daily ferry connections to the city of Kusadasi.


Let yourself be seduced by the island life and book a luxurious villa or a romantic vacation home with private pool for your vacation at VILLTRAVEL.

 

 

VILLTRAVEL offers you individually selected villas and suites

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Found 4 accommodations in Heraklion
  • Heraklion
  • 8 Persons
  • 4 Bathrooms
  • 4 Bedrooms

The Mansion Villa

Luxury Villa Greece, Crete, Heraklion

Magnificent luxury villa with outdoor and indoor pool - near Knossos on Crete

  • Countercurrent system
  • Sea view
  • Indoor pool
New
From €1,280.00
per night / 8 persons
Required additional costs
Total: €0.00
Details
  • 12 Persons
  • 4 Bathrooms
  • 6 Bedrooms

Villa Bella Elena

Villa Greece, Crete, Heraklion

Villa Bella Elena is a modern villa of unparalleled luxury and style, located just 10 minutes from Heraklion town, on the hillside of Vrachokipos

  • Free cancellation option
  • Sea view
  • Private pool
New
From €380.00
per night / 12 persons
Required additional costs
Total: €0.00
Details
  • 8 (+2) Persons
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • 4 Bedrooms

Villa G&G

Luxury Villa Greece, Crete, Heraklion

The luxurious villa of 350 square metres is impeccably designed, where every detail of the decoration and furniture, which is really high quality, has been treated with great care and attention...

  • Fitness area
  • Private pool
  • Sauna
New %
From €750.00
per night / 8 persons
Required additional costs
Total: €0.00
Details
  • 12 (+2) Persons
  • 5 Bathrooms
  • 6 Bedrooms

Villa G&G incl. White House

Luxury Villa Greece, Crete, Heraklion

The luxurious villa of 350 square metres is impeccably designed, where every detail of the decoration and furniture, which is really high quality, has been treated with great care and attention...

  • Fitness area
  • Private pool
  • Sauna
New %
From €1,050.00
per night / 12 persons
Required additional costs
Total: €0.00
Details