Archives for September 28, 2011

Crete, the largest and most southerly Greek island, boasts some of the best hotels in the country. One area in particular is the village of Elounda, close to the island of Spinalonga, a former leper colony that featured in Victoria Hislop’s book, The Island.

I visited three hotels in particular that are owned and run by the Kokotos family. They all look out over the Bay of Mirabello, each with their individual identity, but all sharing the same facilities except for their beaches. There is a nine-hole,par 3 golf course, Sea Sports Centre, tennis courts, kids club (from 6mths) and a fabulous Six Senses Spa.

The Elounda Mare, the most characterful, has been one of the stars along this coast for many years. It is set unobtrusively into the hillside with rooms in the welcoming main building and in bungalows throughout the colourful gardens leading down to the sea.

The more recent additions are the Porto Elounda and Elounda Peninsula which reflect a more contemporary style interspersed with traditional Greek antiques. From porto deluxe rooms to presidential villas, with a whole host of room categories in between, there is something for everyone.

The properties are about a 20-minute walk into Elounda with its range of bars and restaurants, and just a slightly further taxi ride to Aghios Nikolaos with its busy nightlife and scenic harbour. For those wanting a bit of culture, the ruins of Knossos are not too far away and can easily be combined with a visit to the island’s capital, Heraklion.

To find out more, give Susie a call on 01428 658 777.

My first visit to the Caribbean was to the stunning island of Antigua, with its quaint houses, churches and beautiful bays and beaches – one for each day of the year.

With a great variety of hotels to choose from, there is somewhere for everyone: nearly all of them are located in bays with little or nothing to do right outside the property, so it is essential that you let us choose the right one for you!

Top of the range is still Carlisle Bay on its lovely private crescent bay, but it now has a couple of other 5-star rivals: Hermitage Bay, built overlooking a stunning bay with beachfront and hillside rooms and the contemporary-looking Sugar Ridge, which although has no direct access to a beach, has arrangements with nearby beaches and uses their facilities.

Stalwarts such as Curtain Bluff, with its excellent tennis centre and famous wine cellar; the Inn at English Harbour, with its lovely rooms and Galley Bay with its beautiful beach, still offer wonderful experiences.

Shirley Heights is the place to be on a Sunday night and offers a fantastic location overlooking English Harbour, bringing all the expats and locals together to enjoy the sound of live music, while the bar serves luscious rum punch in dangerous quantities; a tasty BBQ is also available for a small cost. The action starts in the afternoon, with the steel band and later in the evening reggae, soca and calypso bands takes over, so you can dance the night away under the stars. A great evening to unwind and enjoy the cultural sounds of the country.

Another incredible experience is Sting Ray City, where you have the chance to swim with, stroke and feed these vast creatures in a crystal-clear, turquoise lagoon.

To find out more about this fabulous tropical destination, give Howard a call on 01428 658 777.