Make your summer vacation in Crete unforgettable

I must have traveled to Crete a hundred times; I go more often nowadays. Eventually, I came to firmly believe that people like me, who love the place, deserve to find a more permanent residence to stay for longer periods. At least getting a quality holiday home in Crete has become so affordable that it can hardly be considered a financial risk.

I haven’t managed to see even half of Crete yet, it is a remarkable and complex combination of places, landscapes, people, customs, smells, what can I say? I have more than enough in me to share with others, and that is why I decided to write about it. All I ask is that you keep an open mind, get a fully insured car and decide to expand your eating and drinking habits (after all, you will be visiting the world capital of what is known as the ‘Mediterranean Diet’).

First of all, think seriously before you pack your bags: do you deserve a good vacation? If yes, then: one, turn off your blackberry; two, don’t sit by a hotel pool for two weeks pretending she’s enjoying herself with a drink in one hand and a paperback in the other. You didn’t work hard for a year to deserve this.

After landing, unpacking and getting a good night’s sleep, prepare to expose yourself to the place and make the most of it. Remember: you are safe, the locals can help you at any time, thieves are practically non-existent and you are an arm’s length away from an English speaker.

Hit the road with your family every day, leaving around 9am; Take an excursion somewhere on the island every day, no matter where you are located. Your hotel is for breakfast and sleep, for at least one week of your stay.

I recommend places like Vai in Sitia, Agia Fotia in Ierapetra, Ledas outside Heraklion, Falasserna outside Chania, Fodele and Panormo, both near Rethymno, and the village of Skala in Elounda. They all have beaches, so take your umbrella, towels, sunscreen, and plenty of water with you on every trip. Sunbathing on the beach is more effective than in the pools: you get a glorious tan to keep for months to come. To be safe, ask about the existence of jellyfish and wear plastic shoes when walking in the sea.

The other way to go on excursions is to join a safari group; Ask your hotel for more details. You will have a wonderful time and be in a safer and more controlled environment with people guiding you and people from your own group joining you. You’ll still see plenty of places off the beaten path and keep everything in a daily excursion mode.

You should eat in the local taverns; aim for the one that draws the most crowd. Open up to local food: try Dakos’s little dolmadakia (moist cake), fresh fish, baked goods (such as stuffed tomatoes and peppers), local pastries, and barbecued meat. Always have a salad on your table; ask about the local specialty. And always try the local sweets with honey and white sugar.

Except for excursions, try to mingle with the locals and make the most of your trip. The unbeatable way to do it is to sneak into a local wedding; the best weddings take place on Saturdays in nearby towns. If you can’t get invited, go to one uninvited on a night of your first few days, and leave it to chance. People will invite you on the spot, and it will be a unique opportunity to meet each other, enjoy a fantastic wedding meal and receive many tips for your stay. If you have thoughts of a more permanent stay, you’ll want to start networking anyway; in Crete people are very sociable and you will soon discover the snowball effect this will have on you.

Keep the last days to relax; It’s time to lounge by the pool reading, drinking and socializing with the people in your group. Try to compare your experiences with theirs and see what difference this will make. I can definitely guarantee that when you get back home you will be talking about your vacation for the rest of the year. And maybe you think about coming to live in Crete for longer periods of time.