Travel: Greece
Anyone who knows me knows that my favourite country in the world is Greece, I've been going with my family for as long as I can remember exploring different islands. We particularly feel in love with one island that we've been visiting for the last 10 years, Crete.
This was a very special holiday because me and my brother Charlie are at the age where we don't always go on the family holiday but this summer it was a year of celebrations it was my 21st my Dads 60th and my parents 30th wedding anniversary all in the space of a couple months so my Dad decided to plan the ultimate Sainty Holiday!
We stayed in the most amazing 3 bed villa called 'Villa Tigga' in a little Greek village called Kokkino Chorio in the mountains with the most amazing views of Souda Bay. It was the most spacious villa we've ever stayed in from the huge pool and veranda area to the secret terrace at the end of the garden.
One thing we always do on our holiday is visit Lake Kournas which is about a 40 minute drive away. It is a fresh water lake surrounded by white mountains and has become quite a tourist attraction due to the pedalo's and canoes you can rent out and the fact that its home to terrapins although I've never seen one in all my years of visiting! There is also a variety of tavernas to choose from to eat and relax in when you're all tired out form the canoeing.
Whilst we were away it was mine and my dads birthday on the 4th of August (yeah we're born on the same date, its weird I know!) So for our birthday we went to a taverna in a small village called Gavalachori which is the most traditionally Greek and untouched area I've been to. We've been going there since we first visited the island and has always been one of our favourites. The food is traditional greek small plates so you get to order loads of different dishes and try a bit of everything which I love! The place has such a unique charm to it from the menu that is simply a big black board that they circulate round the restaurant to your table to the staff who usually consist of young backpackers from all over the world and the lovely owner Monica, an Australian lady who moved to the island and married a Greek man, who is the most attentive and welcoming host.
After an amazing meal Monica then presented us with a cake that she made herself earlier that day and a bottle of fizz with a Mythos label on it (the local beer that my dad is rather found of). Looking back now I think it was the best birthday I've ever had was so nice to eat and drink all things delicious with all the people that I love the most.
One of my all time favourite things to do when visiting Crete is visiting Loutro, an incredibly small island on the south of Crete that is only accessible via foot or boat. You can walk to the island by going through the Samaria Gorge which is something I have always wanted to do however I feel it would be better to do that when visiting earlier in the year around easter time as doing it in the peak of summer can make it a bit of a struggle. Instead we drive from the north of the island to Chora Sfakion on the south of the island where there is a small ferry that takes you to Loutro. Or if you want to do it in style theres usual a salty greek man with a speed boat around the harbour that will take you over (which is much more exciting than the ferry!). When you get there you see the most stereotypical Greek setting with the brilliant white buildings and the vibrant blue shutters. The area mostly consists of tavernas, gift shops, apartments and a few small beach areas. We tend to get there before the first ferry arrives so you can settle down on the beach as it can get fairly busy throughout the day and visit the many bars and tavernas through out the day and then get the latest boat home. Its definitely a trip you can do in one day but a few years back we decided to stay over night in one of the many apartments and I was so lovely to see how different the island is at night. It is much quieter as most of the visitors have headed back and the lights of the small village reflecting on the water make for a beautiful site.
So as you can tell I absolutely love this Island and it holds a big space in my heart because of all the family memories and stories and hopefully there will be many more to come (I would love to get married there one day and already have a few venues in mind, eager I know). I really believe this island has something to offer everyone whether you're going away with your partner, on a family holiday or back packing around the islands you'll find find exactly what you're looking for in the areas range of luxurious hotels, seafront apartments or a private villas situated high in the mountains.
This was a very special holiday because me and my brother Charlie are at the age where we don't always go on the family holiday but this summer it was a year of celebrations it was my 21st my Dads 60th and my parents 30th wedding anniversary all in the space of a couple months so my Dad decided to plan the ultimate Sainty Holiday!
We stayed in the most amazing 3 bed villa called 'Villa Tigga' in a little Greek village called Kokkino Chorio in the mountains with the most amazing views of Souda Bay. It was the most spacious villa we've ever stayed in from the huge pool and veranda area to the secret terrace at the end of the garden.
One thing we always do on our holiday is visit Lake Kournas which is about a 40 minute drive away. It is a fresh water lake surrounded by white mountains and has become quite a tourist attraction due to the pedalo's and canoes you can rent out and the fact that its home to terrapins although I've never seen one in all my years of visiting! There is also a variety of tavernas to choose from to eat and relax in when you're all tired out form the canoeing.
Whilst we were away it was mine and my dads birthday on the 4th of August (yeah we're born on the same date, its weird I know!) So for our birthday we went to a taverna in a small village called Gavalachori which is the most traditionally Greek and untouched area I've been to. We've been going there since we first visited the island and has always been one of our favourites. The food is traditional greek small plates so you get to order loads of different dishes and try a bit of everything which I love! The place has such a unique charm to it from the menu that is simply a big black board that they circulate round the restaurant to your table to the staff who usually consist of young backpackers from all over the world and the lovely owner Monica, an Australian lady who moved to the island and married a Greek man, who is the most attentive and welcoming host.
After an amazing meal Monica then presented us with a cake that she made herself earlier that day and a bottle of fizz with a Mythos label on it (the local beer that my dad is rather found of). Looking back now I think it was the best birthday I've ever had was so nice to eat and drink all things delicious with all the people that I love the most.
One of my all time favourite things to do when visiting Crete is visiting Loutro, an incredibly small island on the south of Crete that is only accessible via foot or boat. You can walk to the island by going through the Samaria Gorge which is something I have always wanted to do however I feel it would be better to do that when visiting earlier in the year around easter time as doing it in the peak of summer can make it a bit of a struggle. Instead we drive from the north of the island to Chora Sfakion on the south of the island where there is a small ferry that takes you to Loutro. Or if you want to do it in style theres usual a salty greek man with a speed boat around the harbour that will take you over (which is much more exciting than the ferry!). When you get there you see the most stereotypical Greek setting with the brilliant white buildings and the vibrant blue shutters. The area mostly consists of tavernas, gift shops, apartments and a few small beach areas. We tend to get there before the first ferry arrives so you can settle down on the beach as it can get fairly busy throughout the day and visit the many bars and tavernas through out the day and then get the latest boat home. Its definitely a trip you can do in one day but a few years back we decided to stay over night in one of the many apartments and I was so lovely to see how different the island is at night. It is much quieter as most of the visitors have headed back and the lights of the small village reflecting on the water make for a beautiful site.
So as you can tell I absolutely love this Island and it holds a big space in my heart because of all the family memories and stories and hopefully there will be many more to come (I would love to get married there one day and already have a few venues in mind, eager I know). I really believe this island has something to offer everyone whether you're going away with your partner, on a family holiday or back packing around the islands you'll find find exactly what you're looking for in the areas range of luxurious hotels, seafront apartments or a private villas situated high in the mountains.
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