Luxury Tour of Crete

The ideal itinerary for the discerning visitor
Enjoy fine quality and the most magical of times at these unique, boutique hotels and see the wonders and variety of Crete
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You are visiting Crete and you would like to experience the highlights of the island in style - where do you start?

Which are the ideal luxury hotels and suites where you will truly enjoy your stay and use as a base for exploring the contrasts and delights of the island, even if you stay for just a week?

We suggest the perfect itinerary:

Small, intimate, hotels with character & charm and the luxury level of rooms and service you desire.

Stay in: Chania - Heraklion - Elounda (see location of these towns on the map of Crete below)

Drink in the views and create your own memories of panoramas, of delicious foods and relaxing, cordial hospitality. Drive yourself for the ultimate feeling of freedom and discovery or reserve a deluxe car with driver.

Chania | Venetian harbour and old town

The old walled town invites the visitor to become lost amongst its theatrical bustle of shops, markets, tavernas, bars, and village street life. The town is a beautiful puzzle of Minoan, Venetian, and Turkish architecture punctuated by hidden squares.
Suggested Attractions:

Archaeological Museum (on Halidon Street) in an old Venetian church, with a fine collection of sculpture, mosaics, and pottery dating back to Neolithic times.
Naval Museum In the Firkas fortress on the harbour, see Chania's naval history, complete with excellent models and displays - the history of Crete in an hour's visit.
The Agora. This huge ninety year-old covered market offers fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and meat, as well as Cretan gifts and souvenirs.

The most luxurious and interesting place to stay in Chania: Casa Delfino. The only one of it's kind in Crete, the splendour of a wealthy Venetian merchant's palace.

Casa Delfino Luxury Suites - CHANIA
Click any of the pictures above to see a larger version Casa Delfino full description & rates

Heraklion | The centre of Crete

A must stop for the Archaeological Museum, a visit to Knossos, the award-winning restored village of Archanes, the fascinating Natural History Museum and the History Museum. Venture out to the Kazantzakis Museum.

Enjoy Heraklion's most exceptional, mouth-watering restaurants and chic cafes, shops and bars. Take a day trip to Santorini (May to September).

Also, an excellent, centrally located, base for more exploration:

South to Gortys, Phaestos & Agia Triada archaeological sites. On to Matala, Agia Galini and the south coast's beach towns and... the beaches! Zaros with its lake and gorge, Kroussonas mountain village, Anogia and Axos both historic villages. The very different Lassithi Plateau - going east. Rethymno old town and fortress, only one and a half hour's drive west. Agarathou, Palliani, Epanosifi, Vrondisi Monasteries.

For the discerning traveller, the desirable base is Lato Hotel. The best interiors of all Heraklion hotels, charming and friendly staff, professional and warm service. Chic and stylish.

Lato Boutique Hotel - HERAKLION
Click any of the pictures above to see a larger version Lato Hotel full description & rates

Agios Nikolaos & Elounda | Neighbours in the gateway to eastern Crete

Agios Nikolaos is a picturesque, quieter town with interesting harbour, marina and lake. It has many restaurants and enjoyable pedestrian-only shopping streets.

Elounda is both the luxury centre of Crete and the neighbour of Agios Nikolaos.
Nearby: Plaka village with fish tavernas at water's edge. Mochlos, small, picturesque fishing village. Tholos quiet beach, Kritsa mountain village for woven linens. Gournia archaeological site, Spinalonga historic isle by boat, Olous sunken ancient site, fascinating Toplou and Faneromeni Monasteries, Vai-Itanos-Hiona impressive beaches, Sitia, Ierapetra. The extensive Zakros Minoan palace.

Best luxury boutique suites: Elounda Gulf Suites (Elounda Gulf Villas & Suites was voted one of the 101 best in the world for 2004 by "Tattler" magazine). A gem of calm luxury.

Elounda Gulf Luxury Suites - Elounda
Click any of the pictures above to see a larger version Elounda Gulf Suites full description & rates

We will design with you, your own luxury tour of Crete to be the ultimate traveller's delight