Crete — Travelrags

Condé Nast TravelerJul 14, 2026

The Best Islands to Visit for Turquoise Coves, Cliffside Villages, and World-Class Snorkeling

Welcome to paradise.

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Tella TheraHotelFor a homey, hillside suite.
Minos Beach Art HotelHotelFor an artsy bungalow off the beaten path.
Kapsaliana VillageHotelFor an inland stay.
Elsewhere
KissamosNeighborhoodChania, GreeceConsider staying here for laidback Cretan lifestyle.
Balos LagoonSightChania, GreeceTake a ferry to wade in its shallow waters.
FalassarnaSightChania, GreeceKnown for its pink-flecked sands.
Cabot TrailTrailCape Breton, CanadaAn 185-mile loop through Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
Cape Breton Highlands National ParkPlaceCape Breton, CanadaA third of the world-famous Cabot Trail winds through Cape Breton Highlands National Park, renowned for stunning ocean…
Skyline TrailTrailCape Breton, CanadaFour-mile trail ending with cliffside views.
Cabot Cape BretonParkCape Breton, CanadaFor golfing with ocean views.
Finch Bay Galapagos HotelHotelGalápagos Islands, EcuadorFor a breezy eco-lodge.
Royal Palm Galapagos, Curio Collection Hotel by HiltonHotelGalápagos Islands, EcuadorFor a tucked-away jungle retreat.
Sea Pines Nature PreservePlaceHilton Head Island, United States600-acre preserve with wetland boardwalks.
Pinckney Island National Wildlife RefugePlaceHilton Head Island, United StatesFor biking and bird-watching.
Coligny Beach ParkParkHilton Head Island, United StatesBustling beach park on the island's coastline.
Alder Lane BeachTrailHilton Head Island, United StatesQuieter beach, ideal for lounging.
The Inn & Club at Harbour TownHotelHilton Head Island, United StatesFor a country club classic with golfing.
Disney's Hilton Head Island ResortHotelHilton Head Island, United StatesFor an amusement park without the crowds.
Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront ResortHotelHilton Head Island, United StatesFor a sweeping beachside resort.
IsabelaPlaceGalápagos Islands, Ecuador

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National GeographicJul 14

5 alternative European islands to explore this summer

Europe's islands have long lured travellers, from Homer's Odyssey across Mediterranean isles to the remote Scottish outcrop said to have inspired Robert Louis Stevenson's 19th-century classicTreasure ...

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PantelleriaSightVolcanic island nicknamed 'Black Pearl of the Mediterranean'.
Donnafugata wineryRestaurantScenic winery in Khamma with vines on volcanic terraces.
BarraSightGaelic-speaking isle in the Outer Hebrides.
Outer Hebrides Birds of Prey TrailTrailTrail with golden and white-tailed eagles.
Hebridean Sea ToursPlaceOperator for sea safaris around southern shores.
SerifosSightWestern Cycladic island with sand-pebble beaches.
GaidarosRestaurantRooftop bar in Chora with Aegean views.
El HierroSightSecond smallest Canary Island with wild shores.
El LajialSightLunar-like lava field terrain.
Mar de las Calmas Marine ReserveSightSubmerged world with underwater mountains.
Buceo el BajónPlaceLicensed outfitter for diving in the marine reserve.
Åland archipelagoSightGranite islands with conifer forests and villages.
Ekströms StugorHotelResort with a traditional Finnish smoke sauna.
SaunaxPlaceRents sauna rafts in Mariehamn.
PaddelbodenPlaceKayak rentals in Mariehamn.
Degersand BeachSightSweep of soft sand on Eckerö island.
La Llanía pathwayTrailPathway through laurel forests.
SviskärHotelElectricity-free log cabin with wood-fired sauna.
El SabinarSight
EriskaySight

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The GuardianJul 6

Crete treats: a chef’s tour of her favourite Greek island

The island has a culinary tradition as old as its ancient olive trees. Our writer savours its family-run tavernas, village bakeries and local produce As someone with Cypriot roots and distant Greek heritage, I’m often asked the question: which is the best island? People lean in, expecting a secret – some tiny, untouched haven, known only to locals. My answer is always the same: Crete. With its…

16 things in this story

SitiaPlaceThe town has 11,166 inhabitants and the municipality has 20,438 (2021).
LassithiNeighborhoodEastern corner of Crete, known for produce
Almyros beachSightWide, sandy beach with clear shallow waters
Agios NikolaosNeighborhoodPretty harbour town
KarnagioRestaurantWaterfront taverna in Agios Nikolaos
EvotryNeighborhoodRoadside bakery with day's best bakes
MochlosNeighborhoodPeaceful fishing village steeped in Minoan history
Ta KochiliaRestaurantWaterfront taverna in Mochlos
MinoanPlaceKnown for its monumental architecture and energetic art, it is often regarded as the first civilization in Europe.
Nektaria’s KitchenPlaceOpen-air cookery school in the hills
KritsaNeighborhoodQuaint village with shops and cafes
MourelloPlaceFamily-owned olive oil tasting experience
XatheriRestaurantDestination restaurant in Kroustas village
KroustasNeighborhoodVillage at 520m above sea level
Sand SuitesHotel
DimitriPlace

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National GeographicJul 6

Go beyond the restaurant with these food experiences in Europe

Whether you’re cracking crayfish at a Swedish summer party, foraging in Alpine meadows or plucking grapes in a Portuguese grove, immersive food tours offer a fascinating insight into local culinary ...

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Eleonas Country VillagePlaceOffers olive harvest experiences.
Elsewhere
Fjord ExpeditionPlaceStavanger, NorwayTakes guests out to fish for pollock, mackerel, crab, shrimp.
Hummeren HotelHotelStavanger, NorwayHarbourside hotel with its own pier.
Grape EscapesPlaceDouro Valley, PortugalOffers trips to wine estates for grape harvesting.
Quinta da PachecaHotelDouro Valley, PortugalHotel with views over the Douro Valley.
River CottagePlaceDevon, United KingdomLearn to make ferments and pickles.
Alba’s White Truffle FairFestivalAlba, ItalyTown filled with markets selling white truffles.
Myssjö GårdPlaceStockholm County, SwedenFarm for crayfish parties and accommodation.
Finnebrogue WoodsPlaceCounty Down, United KingdomEstate for outdoor cooking experiences.
Undiscovered MountainsPlaceHautes-Alpes, FranceOffers foraging introduction in the Alps.

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The GuardianJul 3

‘The clearest seas I’ve ever swum in’: readers’ favourite holidays to Greece

Beach-hopping, gorge hikes and awesome archaeological sites feature in your best memories of Greece • Tell us about a family day out in the UK – the best tip wins a £200 holiday voucher We first noticed Milos as we travelled home from Crete, flying directly above it and deciding that was where we must go next. It didn’t disappoint. The island was calm, peaceful and strikingly beautiful. Milos i…

24 things in this story

SarakinikoSightPerfect stop for photographs with its white rock.
DamouchariNeighborhoodTiny town on the Pelion peninsula.
Kastro StudiosHotelOverlooks the harbour in Damouchari.
Fakistra beachSightBeach reached by a hot walk along the coast.
SymiNeighborhoodHidden island in the Dodecanese.
Marathounda BaySightBeach with free-ranging goats.
SyrosNeighborhoodAdministrative capital of the Cyclades.
ErmoupoliNeighborhoodSince the 2011 local government reform, it is part of the municipality Syros-Ermoupoli, of which it is the seat and a…
Galissas beachSightBeach on the other side of Syros.
Agios StefanosSightChapel in a cave almost in the sea.
HydraNeighborhoodCar-free island in the Saronic Gulf.
HydroussaHotelKindly family hotel on Hydra.
Ambracian GulfSightAbout 40 km (25 mi) long and 15 km (9 mi) wide, it is one of the largest enclosed gulfs in Greece, and due to its…
AntiparosNeighborhoodIsland with modest beauty and peaceful aura.
PelionSightPeninsula in east, central Greece.
RhodesSightHectic island, departure point for Symi.
ancient KassopiSightLittle-known archaeological site.
PrevezaSightCharming little port on the west coast.
ParosSightIt lies 8 kilometers west of Naxos, separated by a narrow channel and about 150 km south-east of Piraeus.
Panagia beachSightBeach on Antiparos with turquoise waters.
Sifneiko baySightBay on Antiparos.
PiraeusSightPort for ferries to Hydra.
Statheros GardenHotel
LouvreMuseum

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