Chania is the place where you can have the best couples holidays of your life. And your stay in Cretan Dream Resort & Spa luxury spa hotel will greatly enhance your experience.
There is no better place for couples holidays than Chania. The city and the whole region is full of romantic places, where you can see and feel much more than you expect. And Cretan Dream Resort luxury spa hotel is here to make your vacation so much better.
Although the things you can do in your holidays as a couple in Chania are too much to mention in a single article, there are some places that stand out and considered the best. We’ ll see about all these – and more – right away.
Couples holidays in Chania – Welcome to one of the best destinations
Cretans really love to take care of couples and families as their guests. The long history of the island, spanning no less than 6 millennia, is full of myths and stories about couples. Possibly the most known of these myths is that of Zeus and Europe, who the king of the gods felt deeply in love with, and who he essentially abducted transformed into a stunningly beautiful bull.
All over the island, and especially in Chania, couples get the special treatment in their holidays. The Cretans themselves are very family-oriented people, and form strong relationships between them, and the close relationship between a couple is highly respected.
We do not exaggerate when we say that by far the biggest part of the tourism infrastructure in the island has been made with couples and families in mind. This way, it will be the best possible for their precious holiday time on the island.
Couples holidays in Chania – Best places to visit
The first place that comes to mind when visiting Chania as a couple, is the Old Town of Chania. It is a wonderful modern “labyrinth” of small alleys, where you can find everything: taverns and restaurants, cafes and bars, and shops of any kind.
The architecture of the Old Town is very interesting, with amazing buildings from the Venetian, the Ottoman and the modern Greek era, all lying side by side. And the magnificent Old Venetian Harbour to the south of the Old Town, is one of the finest examples of Venetian architecture at its best.
Another great place to visit as a couple is the village of Loutro in Sfakia, in south Chania. It is essentially a small fishing village by the sea, but it is so perfectly splendid that it has been voted as the most beautiful coastal village in the Mediterranean.
Loutro is relatively isolated – you can only get there by boat, and this is a large part of its charm. Apart from that, the crystal-clear water and the laid-back friendliness of the locals, all make Loutro the perfect place to unwind in your couples holidays and come closer to your significant other.
When holidaying as a couple in Chania, you will find lots of thing to do and experience. And your accommodation plays a large part in this, so it makes perfect sense to take some time and choose it wisely.
In Cretan Dream Resort luxury spa hotel, we always cater for, and go the extra mile for our guests, with only one thing in mind: to make your couples holidays in Chania an one-of-a-kind experience.
If you are looking for gastronomy and culinary holidays in Chania, Crete, you are in the right place – and in the right hotel
Gastronomy and culinary holidays in Chania, Crete, was the norm for every visitor to the island, even before the term appeared in travel terminology. Indeed, most visitors to Chania wanted to taste a bite from the famous Cretan diet since the 50s. Fast forward to today, and you have just discovered one of the best places to initiate yourself in the rich gastronomy tradition of Chania: Cretan Dream Resort & Spa.
The fresh produce of Chania and Crete is of the highest, world-class quality: The tasty vegetables, the exceptional extra virgin olive oil, the fresh fish, the meat from well-fed animals, the dairy products, the honey, the aromatic herbs, all these eclectic foods make the island a true paradise for gastronomy holidays. And staying in Cretan Dream Resort & Spa is probably the best way to explore this culinary treasure of Chania.
The long tradition of outstanding gastronomy in Chania and Crete – and how your stay in our hotel can turn your holidays into a culinary exploration
At Cretan Dream Resort & Spa, we want our visitors to experience the best of the Cretan tradition, and keep it in their hearts long after their holidays in Chania. And a large part of this tradition is the famous Cretan gastronomy.
They say that the key to an excellent dish is the quality and freshness of the food ingredients used to prepare it. And this is more than true for the Cretan cuisine. The island is known all over the world for its superb quality of fresh products, either agricultural, livestock or dairy. The unique climate in Chania and Crete, the fertility of the land, and the great experience of the local farmers and breeders, who pass the “secrets” for produce of superior quality from generation to generation, all contribute to the Cretan food products being among the top culinary delights in the whole world.
At Cretan Dream Resort & Spa, we celebrate this unique culinary tradition of Chania and Crete, and we help you come in touch with the very best the Cretan land has to offer. You can experience some of the basic agricultural activities, like harvesting the olives, or milking the goats, and taste some of the exceptional fresh local produce right in the source.
We can also help you arrange a specialized gastronomy holiday tour in Chania. It may be a traditional Cretan cooking lesson, or educating yourself in the culinary secrets and foundations of the Cretan diet, or tasting the best variations of the well-known Cretan wine. Just let us know what part of the Cretan gastronomy you want to explore, and we’ll help you start your Cretan culinary adventure on the right foot!
Gastronomy and culinary holidays in Chania and Crete – Cooking since the ancient Minoan times
The elite gastronomy in the island started no less than 5.000 years ago, when there were no hotels – and very few travellers, if any – on the island. This was the time of the beginning of the Minoan Civilisation, the first organized civilization in Europe.
The Minoans left behind some of the world’s most famous palaces, with unsurpassed architecture through the centuries. But the Minoan Civilisation had also a lot to do with fine tastes, as at that time the olive oil and wine, among other foods, that was produced in the island, was considered a culinary treasure, and it was exported and cherished in many parts of the then known world.
It is impressive to realize that after all these millennia, the foundations of the famous Cretan diet are still the same as in the ancient Minoan diet: olives and olive oil, whole grain cereals, fish, greens and herbs. And the world-famous Mediterranean diet is the direct descendant of the Cretan diet.
And this was only the beginning: Crete, being in the crossroads of three continents, has been a melting pot of civilizations since the ancient Minoan years, which has created a centuries-old, rich gastronomic tradition second to none. It is this tradition that has created amazing dishes like the delicious lamb with stamnagathi green, or the super-tasty Cretan fried snails, or the nutritious dakos salad, or the outstanding kalitsounia cheese pie, to name just a few.
In summary, all the above lead to one simple conclusion: regarding gastronomy, Chania and Crete are among the world’s top destinations for culinary holidays. So, during your visit in the island you should always have your eyes (and nose) open, to find and enjoy some of the best tastes in the world.
At Cretan Dream Resort & Spa, we know that the greatest holidays are the ones where you truly immerse yourself in the local traditions. And in Crete, the local gastronomy and the culinary tradition can very well be something you will remember for a long time after your holidays in Chania.
Learn more about the culinary events at Cretan Dream Resort & Spa.
Chania is made for romantic holidays and your accommodation at the ideally located Cretan Dream Resort & Spa will take things to the next level.
Chania in Crete is the perfect destination for romantic holidays. Especially if you arrange your stay in a luxury spa hotel, like Cretan Dream Resort & Spa.
The very first feeling that will spontaneously come to your mind the first time you set foot in the streets of Chania city, is “romance”. The city is full of treasures for the romantics, regardless age, nationality and culture.
Cretan dream Resort is a luxury spa hotel, ideal for romantic holidays. Apart from top accommodation, we can provide you with everything you need for a getaway that you will most possibly remember for a lifetime.
In this article we will examine the two places that are possibly the most romantic locations in Chania region to visit in your holidays. And the first – and most known by far – is…
Chania Old Town: Take your romantic holidays to another level
If it’s your first visit to Chania Old Town, you are in for quite a (very welcoming) shock: this outstanding part of Chania city will amaze you with its pure romantic qualities.
The essence of Chania Old Town cannot be described in words. It is many things at once. It is a labyrinth of cobbled streets, where you can get lost and enter another dimension of travel experience. It is a melting pot of friendly people from every corner of the world – and it was like that for many centuries before present-day tourism. It is the place where the Greek, the Venetian, the Ottoman, and the Jewish architecture have all left monumental buildings that your eyes will not be able to get enough from.
Amidst all this feast of the eyes, there are countless beautiful cafes, taverns, shops, bars and restaurants, with a romantic atmosphere second to none. Holidaying in Chania Old Town is truly an one-of-a-kind experience.
At night, the lights of the marvelous renovated buildings reflect on the water of the Venetian Harbour of Chania, the whole scene revealing the magical qualities of this blessed place, which is protected by the Greek Gods since the beginning of time… For many visitors, the reflections of the night lights in the Venetian Harbour of Chania are among the most romantic holiday scenes they have ever experienced.
Falassarna beach: Romantic holidays in the Chania sunset
Falassarna beach is located on the west part of Chania and Crete, and is arguably one of the best beaches on the island. It is also one of the most romantic ones.
The main beach is a long strip of fine sand, that is complemented by a sea with cool, crystal-clear water. But for all the romantic souls out there, the best, “secret” part of Falassarna beach is on its northern edge.
On the north part of the long beach, there are some scenic coves, that combine rocks with fine sands, and it’s the perfect place to isolate along with your loved one. On top of that (literally), there is an elevated spot, with a nice restaurant and a beautiful bar, where, at the right time at the end of the day, you can find yourself endlessly gazing towards the magnificent sunset of Crete.
Apart from its undisputed natural beauty, the orientation of the beach towards the west – and the sunset – is one of the things that clearly set Falassarna beach apart. This is a place where romantic holidays in Chania and beach culture go hand-in-hand, creating a select travel experience of a lifetime, made especially for you.
At the Cretan Dream Resort & Spa hotel in Chania we take help our guests design the perfect romantic activity itinerary. Learn more about our location and how we are perfectly positioned for the best romantic getaways in Chania.
Thodorou island dominates the coastline west of Chania city. It is an environmentally protected island, with a large population of Kri-kri, the Cretan wild goats.
Thodorou island is the small island in the sea of Chania, lying opposite the beach of Agia Marina. It is a distinctive island of pristine natural beauty, with a sizable population of Kri-kri, the rare Cretan wild goats, living on it.
The island of Thodorou perfectly complements the great beaches west of Chania city. It is uninhabited by people and not open to visitors, in order to protect its unique flora and fauna, including, of course, the Kri-kri wild goats.
The island dominates the beach landscape west of Chania city, in the area between Stalos and Platanias. You can clearly see it from the elevated vantage location of Cretan Dream Resort & Spa.
Thodorou island and the Kri-kri wild goats
Although it is not too far away from Agia Marina beach, the island of Thodorou is not easily accessible (you can only go there by boat). This fact, along with its unique natural environment, has lead the local authorities to declare the island a protected natural reserve in Chania.
The isolation of the island, along with its protected status, proved to be an ideal place for the breeding of the rare (and previously endangered) Kri-kri, the wild goats of Crete. Today, on the 700 sq m of the island live about 100 Kri-kri.
There is only a day each year when people can (cautiously) visit Thodorou: June 8th, the name day of Agios Theodoros (Saint Theodore), the patron saint of the island. This day the local boat services are allowed to transport visitors to Thodorou, so if you happen to be in Chania at that time, don’t lose your only chance to set foot on the island.
Thodorou island through history
The strategic location of the island of Thodorou in the sea west of Chania city, made it very important through the centuries. About 4.000 years ago, in the time of the Minoan civilization, the island was considered a sacred place. Historians believe that at that time there was a popular religious sanctuary on the island.
On the west side of the oblong island, there is a big cave. According to the local ancient legend, this is the open mouth of a big monster that attacked the area many centuries ago. Fortunately, and in order to protect the locals, the gods turned the monster into stone, and Thodorou is what remained of the petrified ancient monster. The cave, aka the open mouth of the monster, today is one of the playing fields for the many Kri-kri, the wild goats of Crete, on the island.
In the Venetian period, and in the 16th century, a big fortress was built on the island to protect all the surrounding region from the pirates and the Ottomans. The name of the fortress was San Teodoro, which was also the original name of the island, that in turn became Thodorou in recent history.
The island of Thodorou is a remarkable place, that you can’t fail to notice, when enjoying the great beaches west of Chania city. Its status as a protected natural reserve, along with the substantial population of the Cretan wild goats, the Kri-kri, that live on it, make it a very important part in the protection of the authentic local environment.
So now you know: When you are relaxing by the wonderful pool of Cretan Dream Resort & Spa, and you admire the panoramic elevated view to the sea, the island that you see in the middle of the sea of Chania, is the island with the untouched environment that is home to the local population of the Kri-kri wild goats: the magnificent Thodorou island.