CRETE The largest Greek island, Crete has a charm of its own, together with sweeping sands, crystalline waters and incredible scenery. Malia Malia is made for sun and fun-lovers. Lively both day and night, it’s designed for out-and-out holidaymaking and attracts a young crowd as a result. The main hub here is the street that leads down to the beach from the main road, which is home to buzzing shops, restaurants, bars and nightspots. At the end, you’ll discover Malia’s main claim to fame: a fabulous 2-kilometre expanse of golden sands complete with a great range of watersports. If you do fancy a spot of culture while you’re here, the ruins of an ancient Minoan palace await just outside town. Journey time from airport: 50 minutes approx Stalis With a mesmerising stretch of golden sand and superb watersport provisions, it’s easy to see why the once quaint village of Stalis has rapidly become one of Crete’s hottest properties. Set against the striking Dikti Mountains this charming resort effortlessly combines modern amenities and traditional values, giving the area its own unique sense of identity. A variety of shops and inviting eateries cascade off the promenade, whilst night owls will find the streets studded with lively bars and a handful of clubs that buzz until dawn. Journey time from airport: 45 minutes approx Elounda With its attractive coastline - great for watersports, scuba diving and snorkelling - beautiful harbour area and spectacular views of Spinalonga Island, Elounda was made famous as the setting of the film ‘Who Pays the Ferryman’. You can relax and watch the word-go-by from one of the many tavernas and cafés serving up tasty local and international cuisine around the boatfilled harbour before heading to a local disco for a night of Greek entertainment. All in all a brilliant chill-out base from which to explore the eastern end of the island. Journey time from airport: 2 hours approx Hersonissos If your perfect holiday involves a bustling, cosmopolitan resort with something to please all the family, the resort of Hersonissos should be top of your list. Boasting no less than three beaches, each with excellent provisions for watersports, its no surprise that much of the daytime activity here is centred round the waterfront. If you tire of the sands, a string of inviting bars, cafes and tavernas throng the promenade, with something on hand to suit even the fussiest eater! Later, these venues really come into their own with nightclubs, dancing and live music. Journey time from airport: 45 minutes approx Gouves Purpose-built yet with its own distinct sense of identity, the charming village of Gouves is the place to head if you’re looking for the ideal ‘get away from it all’ holiday. A trio of compact sandy beaches are the main draw here, with each offering a good selection of watersports. Away from the shoreline much of the activity is based around the shops, bars and tavernas of the main street, however nightlife is generally low-key. If you’re looking for more activity, the resort’s prime location in the heart of Crete is perfect for exploring the island. Journey time from airport: 35-40 minutes approx Aghios Nikolaos Known as Ag. Nik and originally built by the Venetians, this charming resort stands around a picturebook harbour and is one of Crete’s most developed holiday spots. Most of the action is concentrated around the harbourside, where a superb array of restaurants and cafés light up at dusk, and there’s some exuberant night-life to enjoy. A number of sheltered sandy beaches await in the area and there’s an archeological museum to explore too. Journey time from airport: 1 hour 30 minutes approx Avg daily max temperature (°C)