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Apokoronas Holidays

Backed by the majestic White Mountains, criss-crossed by numerous little springs and brooks and sprinkled with colourful wild flowers, lie the luscious green villages of the Apokoronas.

Whilst we would not wish to knock the simple pleasures of sitting in a seafront taverna or strolling with your feet in wet sand, Apokoronas really is a region that begs to be explored, not necessarily with a road map and a preconceived itinerary, but with a curious mind and the wish to stumble upon some of life's little treasures that usually remain hidden from ordinary tourists.

Aficionados are lured back time and gain by the region's remarkable hinterland, where verdant hillsides present opportunities for casual strolls or serious hikes. They are drawn by the picturesque villages, where life has changed little and where traditional crafts that have elsewhere been rendered obsolete are still practised in the time-honoured way.

The village of Megala Horafia, just a couple of kilometres inland from the coast, has established a loyal following amongs Simply Crete guests who value easy access to the nearby beaches, but prefer the tranquillity and timeless serenity of village life. Encouraged by the popularity of rural villages, we have long wished to feature holidays in other villages that we and our guests have enjoyed walking to and pottering around in, but it was only in 1998 that accommodation of the right quality became available right in the heartland of Apokoronas.

The tiny hamlet of Maheri, has been declared a preservation area where no new building is allowed and the village of Vamos is another prime example of how sustainable tourism can actually help rural communities to preserve their traditions rather than destroy them.

Should the lure of the tepid Mediterranean prove irresistible at times, there are excellent sandy coves at the easy-going villages of Kalives and Almeritha and a very long beach at the busier resort of Georgioupolis.

It's rural and rustic, uncrowded and uncommercialised … and definitely one for the Grecophiles. This tranquil area of western Crete is not so much secluded as bypassed, so holidays in Apokaronas tend to be limited to those in the know. Catch it now …before word gets out.

Tucked between historic Chania and the watersports beaches of Rethymnon, it's a great place to base yourself for island exploration. The village has a little cafe where you can sip your sweet Greek coffee and revel in the easy tempo. And a ten minute drive will bring you to the beach at Kefalas for a lazy day of swimming and sunworship, and to traditional tavernas 'off the beaten track' … the best places for food that's fresh, authentic and cheap. Holidays in Apokaronas are really holidays in the whole surrounding area, with its sprinkling of hillside hamlets and seafront villages. So your hire car is an effortless way to expand your horizons and experience Crete-before-the-crowds.

And there's another plus about Apokaronas holidays … the kind of accommodation that teams past with present. Careful renovation of old-world buildings has delivered houses of character with all mod cons. The Villa Filitsa is a fine example - a honeymoon hideaway for real romantics, and a family house far from the madding crowd. Self-catering that feels like home.