Crete
From its western tip – topped by Chania’s Venetian harbour, maze of buying alleys and the flamingo-pink sands of Elafonissi Beach, to its jap toe, house to Sitia’s genuine tavernas and the unique palm-tree-lined sands of Vai, idyllic escapes are two a penny on Greece’s largest island.
For a miniature model of Chania solely with fewer crowds, head for Rethymnon, the place feet-in-the-water tavernas serve luscious native treats, cobbled lanes are lined with ritzy boutiques promoting Greek designer wares and golden sand seashores invite brine-bathed lounging. Alternatively, repair your sights on Agios Nikolaos, a lost-in-the-past resort with old-style kafenions, wonderful glittering seascapes, and a so-called bottomless lake (it’s really 64m deep).
Where to remain: Combine well being and loads of hygge at five-star, adults-only sanctuary Minos Palace, which has its personal sandy seaside, dramatic views over jet-setter-loved Mirabello Bay and a state-of-the-art spa providing science-based longevity therapies.
Kimolos
If you dream of being castaway on a near-deserted seaside, surviving on honeyed grapes and syrupy wine and swimming clothes-free in seas the color of a peacock’s feathers, then tiny atoll Kimolos, a 15-minute ferry hop from Milos, is the one to decide on.
Scattered in distant spots throughout the island, syrmata fishing huts the place fishermen as soon as hauled of their boats within the stormy winter months have been repurposed as bijou lodging bang on the seaside. If you possibly can tear your self away from lazy, hazy days and countless moon-silvered nights dwelling your personal non-public idyll, discover capital Chora’s cat-prowled alleys, snorkel out to see the submerged ruins of an historical Mycenaean metropolis from Ellinika’s near-deserted sands, or experience rom-coms proven beneath star-jewelled skies at fishing hamlet Goupa’s open-air cinema.
Where to remain: There are solely a handful of locations to remain on this 36 km² island, however repurposed syrmata Thalassa Beach House is your greatest wager in case you lengthy to wake each the morning and step immediately out onto your personal shell-strewn secluded cove.