Istron Villas, Crete

Stylish & comfortable villas with pools

• high-quality modern houses, each with own pool • suit children of all ages • full use of 5-star hotel’s facilities • car hire included • welcome hamper

These stylish villas boast everything you could possibly want from a relaxing family holiday: a fantastic location close to an idyllic bay, a very high level of comfort, full use of the first-rate facilities of the neighbouring deluxe-category Istron Bay Hotel (including its own beach), as well as your own pool.

Great days out

If you can bear to leave such idyllic surroundings, there is no shortage of places to visit or things to do – the fact that Crete was home to Europe’s earliest civilisation, the Minoans, means that there is a wealth of archaeological sites. The nearest to Istron is Gournia, the best preserved Minoan site on Crete, boasting a labyrinth of tiny houses and narrow lanes surrounding a small palace. There is another palace at Zakros which was built in 1700BC and which became the centre of trade with the Middle East, and nearby is a gorge with many Minoan burial sites. If you opt to visit just one Minoan site, however, it should be Knossos, the largest of the Minoan palaces, one hour’s drive away. Legend has it that this is where Theseus slew the half-man, half-bull Minotaur in his lair, escaping the labyrinth only with the help of Ariadne and a ball of thread! Wandering round the maze of buildings, this is easy to imagine.

As you would expect, there are several museums devoted to the island’s many archaeological finds, not least that in the pretty harbour town of Agios Nikolaos, where you can view gold jewellery and alabaster vases from the underwater Minoan harbour on the island of Mochlos, and the excellent archaeological museum in Heraklion. As Crete’s capital, Heraklion boasts much more besides its archaeological museum, including the Venetian fortress, church of Agia Ekaterina and further museums.

Another town worthy of a day’s visit is Sitia. At the centre of its old quarter is a picturesque harbour, dominated by a restored Venetian fort. There is also a fascinating folklore museum with displays of colourful local costumes, textiles and cottage furniture. Nearby is the monastery of Toplou with its beautiful frescoes and icons. Founded in the 14th century, the monastery was fortified by the Venetians, and was even used in World War II to transmit resistance broadcasts.

For a different perspective of the island, head for Plaka, from where you can either take a trip on one of the regular fishing boats to the now-deserted island of Spinalonga, the formidable island fortress that housed a leper colony until the 1950s, or enjoy a 45-minute ride along the coast on the miniature, motorised ‘Happy Train’.

We also recommend a visit to the Cretaquarium – the largest marine research complex in the Mediterranean which is also home to a fascinating, interactive visitor centre.

Walking & other activities

Crete’s interior – particularly the Lassithi Plateau – rewards walkers with spectacular views and varied wildlife. The owner of the villas, Adonis Panayiatopoulos, will be happy to advise on routes, or you can obtain walking suggestions from the tourist office in Agios Nikolaos. Hiring bikes to explore on two wheels is another option.

Alternatively, you could take to the water. Water-sports enthusiasts are well-catered for at Istron Bay – you can choose from water-skiing, wind-surfing, canoeing or kayaking, and diving courses are available with a fully qualified PADI instructor. If you prefer to take it a little easier, you can take a glass-bottom-boat trip or a chauffeur-driven speedboat!

Other activities organised by the hotel from time to time include local nature walks, yoga classes, Greek dancing, aerobics and gymnastics, and there are facilities for tennis, beach volleyball, table tennis and billiards.

There is a sand-and-pebble beach belonging to the hotel that Istron Villa guests can use, but, for a change of scenery, you may like to discover the beaches of Xerokambos, Kouremenous (great for windsurfing) and Hiona (which boasts an EU blue flag).

The villas

The villas, staggered up the hillside, are far enough away from their luxury sister hotel to remain private, yet close enough for you to benefit from its wide-ranging facilities, which include a children’s playground, laundry service, crèche, babysitting service and Mini Club (for children aged 4-7 years).

Choose from a one, two or three-bedroom villa, all of which exude an understated elegance and are equipped to an unusually high standard, with air-conditioning, satellite television, a CD player, DVD player, telephone and internet connection. The very spacious accommodation comprises a master bedroom with king-size bed and bathroom and, in the larger houses, one or two other bedrooms and a marble shower room. The stylish open-plan lounge encompasses a dining area and an attractive modern kitchen with creature comforts such as a dishwasher, microwave, fridge-freezer, cooker, percolator and toaster. French windows open onto a stone-flagged terrace and your own pool. You can request an extra bed for either a bedroom or the living room at no extra cost.

There is a mini-market on site but, if you prefer not to cater for yourselves, you can dine at the hotel, a two-minute walk away, which is renowned for its Cretan and Mediterranean cuisine, taking your pick of its two restaurants. Take breakfast there, too, or simply use the room-service facility to get a snack delivered to your villa. Adonis and his family are always on hand should you need them – they keep a stock of supplies in case you run out of anything and even rent DVDs. Katy, Adonis’s wife, offers a home-made catering service and she will bake you a traditional cheese pie, or anything on request, to pop in your freezer to be enjoyed whenever the mood takes you. Alternatively, a portable barbecue is available on request.

Pay locally for all meals. A charge is payable for some hotel facilities too.

Prices & travel 2008

** Adult price payable by first 2 adults in the party; additional adults travel free of charge
# Free child price only applies with 2 paying adults. If only one adult is travelling, the first child pays adult price.
Start: Tuesday
Nights: 7
Property & hire car includes: 7days’ category D hire car (e.g. Hyundai Accent)
Recommended airport: Heraklion
Driving time from airport: 1h30
Book your flights through us and we’ll find the best route, times and price to suit you

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