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Veni Holidays

Sitting at the base of the Idi mountain range, this classic Cretan village is surrounded by gorgeous scenery that's simply to-die-for.

Come and let the long and winding road lead you to total tranquillity in Veni. Sat next to Crete's capital, Heraklion, and within easy driving distance of atmospheric Rethymnon this gorgeous mountain-side town just begs to be discovered. Criss-crossed by rivers, streams and springs, this charming town sits well away from the tourist buzz of the coastal resorts. With little more than a handful of houses, it gently rests among the green olive groves that sweep down from the bottom of the White Mountains. There are no shops or restaurants and so no tourists spilling into the streets. In fact, if your idea of heaven is a holiday where you're unlikely to see another soul for days, apart from the locals that is, then Veni is the perfect escape you're looking for. Refreshingly green, you can truly get away from it all in this perfect rural pocket of Crete. If you fancy a lazy day away, the seaside resort of Kolymbari is just a 15 minute drive away - so you're not completely off the beaten track. Enjoy shopping for souvenirs in the narrow harbour-side streets or duck into an atmospheric taverna and fill up on 'spanakopitta', a cheese and spinach filo pastry parcel. And you're not all that far away from the beach, either. A 20 minute drive will take you to the pebbly shores of Raveoucha Beach. Pack and picnic and enjoy a leisurely afternoon here, or refuel at one of the three tavernas here. Back in Veni, after the activity of towns and beaches, the serene calm will be a welcome relief. So sit back, relax and enjoy the wonderful serenity. This is the life.

Absolutely unspoilt. Deliciously undisturbed. When you want 'the real Greece' … you'd be hard pushed to find a more authentic place than Veni. Holidays here are like having your own home deep in rural Crete.

This hide-away hamlet is nestled in the folds of mountain foothills. Crete's highest peak, Psiloritis, forms a gorgeous backdrop - its white top glistening against the blue of the sky. But bring your focus closer and you home-in on ancient olive groves, countryside criss-crossed with streams and springs, and the village itself - just a handful of houses … one of which is yours. And while holidays in Veni are secluded, they're actually not reclusive.

Inland of the island's north coast, self-catering holidays in Veni are within easy day trip distance of both Rethymnon and Heraklion - for ardent sightseers and inveterate shoppers. And there's plenty more much closer to home. A meze of small towns and villages includes Fodele - El Greco's home … the sandy shore of Panormos … Axos - with its seven Byzantine chapels … souvenir shopping in the by Kolymbari harbour …and Anoyia - where woollen and woven crafts are colourful and relatively cheap. Holidays in Veni are at the heart of all this.

And at the end of the day, you come home to a villa that's a romantic retreat for couples or a relaxing family haven. Tempted? Don't leave it till the last minute. Holidays in Veni are for the favoured few.