Everyday life is theatre in Greece, where you can find people who are as true to their culture today as they were 2,500 years ago. Even morning coffee is an art-form all its own in Greece and can last many hours while locals discuss the business of the day in the warm Mediterranean climate.

Certainly Greece is the destination of choice for travellers interested in ancient history. The oldest stories of Western Civilisation were told here and became Homer's Illiad and Odyssey. Democracy has its roots here, as does science, philosophy and art. The ruins of the ancient theatres of the Dionysian festivals still stand throughout the region, and the ruins of the temples of the gods from Artemis to Aphrodite, Hera to Zues, and Athena to Poseidon still stand in reverence to those they honour and to those who engineered and built them thousands of years ago.

But don't let the ancient relics get all of your attention, the Greek Islands are paradise waiting to be rediscovered and modern style and conveniences are found everywhere. The soft Mediterranean breeze blows along the vast sandy beaches during the day and dance music pumps through the clubs at night, making Greece one of the most diverse and interesting travel destinations in Europe.

Self Catering Greece – Luxury Greek Villas and Holiday Homes on the Island of Crete

If there is a beach, a cove, a harbour or a seaside village, Self Catering.ie has a beach vacation rental nearby. For family vacations, nothing gives you better value for money than any of the Crete villa rentals we have to offer. You will have the privacy and security of a holiday home at the very best prices. With access to the entire island of Crete, your family will have plenty of activities to play and sites to see.

If you’re planning a honeymoon or romantic getaway, Crete offers many secluded beaches and coves, quiet hideaways, and cosy romantic restaurants that serve only the best Greece and the Mediterranean has to offer. Walking through the ruins of ancient Greek civilisation, walking through the lush olive groves or just relaxing on the beach surrounded by the bluest azure sea will give you memories to last a lifetime.

The first thing you may notice about Crete is the gorgeous smells of jasmine and orange blossoms from the many orchards on the island. The gentle Mediterranean breezes not only cool the hot sun, but they also bring with them heavenly scents of Greek spices, the olive groves, and citrus orchards.

Crete is world renowned for its archaeological sites, history, museums and ruins of the Minoan civilisation who flourished from 6,000 to the first century BC. The Minoan Palace of Phaistos and the Knossos Minoan Palace are among the most important archaeological sites on Crete. The Heraklion Archaeological Museum, the Chania Archaeological Museum, the Rethymnon Historical & Folk Museum and the Crete Maritime Museum in Chania complete the historical and cultural experience of any tour of Crete.

As the largest of the Greek Islands, Crete has some of the highest mountain peaks in the region offering every kind of sport and outdoor activity known on land, mountain or sea. The E4 hiking path crosses the mountainous regions from East to West and is quite famous for its alpine passes and rugged terrain. Parts of the E4 can be trekked by beginners but the full 3 week long hike should only be undertaken by experienced hikers. More than just a hiking paradise, on Create you and your family members can para-glide, horse back ride, ski, rock climb, scuba dive, wind surf, bicycle from village to village, bask in the sun and relax on any of the magnificent beaches and coves that surround this island.