Gerani Holidays
With a Blue Flag beach and slow pace of life, Gerani is the perfect spot for a gorgeously quiet getaway.
Gerani was the site of a fierce battle between the Turks and Cretan revolutionaries in 1867. But you wouldn't know it. These days, this charming little resort has all the turmoil of a WI tea party. In fact, there are few places on Crete with a more laid-back and friendly atmosphere. Its main asset of course, is its beautiful beach - a long, unspoilt stretch of sand, shingle and pebbles which regularly wins awards for its cleanliness. There you can get on with that all-important relaxation - reclining back on a sunbed and letting your mind wander away. Alternatively, if you're feeling a bit more energetic, try your hand at some watersports, or maybe join in a game of beach volleyball. As for the entertainment scene, it's more 'Lazy Sunday Afternoon' than 'Saturday Night Fever', with a few bars and tavernas where you can enjoy peaceful drinks and tuck in to some traditional Greek fare. However, you're not far from the action if you fancy a change of scene. A few miles down the road are the bright lights of Chania harbour, lined with plenty of lively bars, restaurants and discos. And if it's a day out you're after, head inland, where you'll find acres of glorious countryside and some quaint little white-washed villages, like Modi. Have a mosey around and then take a seat at a local bar and you can soak up the traditional atmosphere while you sip 'ouzo' and enjoy a plate of juicy olives. This is as good as it gets.
With relaxation written through it like a stick of rock, this is bliss for couples or families coming to Crete to unwind. Holidays in Gerani are gloriously laid back and leisurely. There's a Blue Flag shore for serious sun-worship, a clutch of bars and tavernas to stroll to in the evening, and a sprinkling of self-catering holiday retreats - like the Silver Beach Studios, clustered round their pretty pool and set right beside the sea.
On Gerani holidays, all the action is focused at the water's edge …but don't think for a minute that 'action' means frenetic, or even energetic. Rarely crowded, the long beach is a mix of sand, shingle and pebble stretches. Watersports and beach volleyball provide excellent exercise and an even tan for those who feel inclined to indulge … and make great spectator sports for those who are happy to give them a miss.
After dark activity is largely table talk in the handful of bars and traditional tavernas - where an evening out is still comparatively cheap. Holidays in Gerani aren't big on bright lights and nightclubs - so killer heels can be replaced by casual comfort. But when you're ready to up the tempo a couple of notches, there are discos 2km away in Platanias, and a 10km taxi journey could see you sampling the busy bars and restaurants on Chania harbour.
So whether you've chosen it well in advance or you're booking a last minute holiday, in Gerani you may feel you've found the best of both worlds.