Rethymnon

A holiday in Rethymnon is like taking a trip to the past, but with the best bits of modern Greece thrown in for good measure!

Located on the island of Crete on the north west coast, just about an hour's drive from the capital, Heraklion, Rethymnon has been a holiday favourite for many years. Rethymnon (often called Rethymno) is Crete's third largest city and had immense historical significance. Born in antiquity and a renowned Minoan centre; then almost entirely built by Venetians, Rethymnon has a huge fortress, magnificent fortified walls and today, is one of the best preserved cities on all Crete.

Rethymon holidays have that delightful mixture of ancient and modern side by side where atmospheric narrow streets, stone stairs, arched doorways and aristocratic loggias mingle with cool and trendy bars, pretty shops, waterfront clubs and traditional tavernas with a modern twist. Lose yourself in romance when the sun goes down to enjoy a cool drink in a candlelit garden; or sample delicious local Greek cuisine in an open-air taverna with a tinkling fountain in the background and you discover the real Greece.

Rethymnon's sandy beach is actually on the edge of town, so this is a distinct bonus for sun lovers. Many of the taverna owners offer boat trips to nearby Preveli beach, Triopetra beach (3 rocks) or to the uninhabited island of Paximadia. Holidays in Rethymnon have massive appeal for divers and there are quite a number of schools and a 5* Padi diving centre with shore and boat dives catering to the absolute beginner and experienced diver. Essentially, daytime is spent hanging out at the beach where you can loll, windsurf, sail or canoe.

Rethymnon holidays cleverly combine the past and present and a dinky little tourist train runs in summer, passing old fashioned houses with lovely wooden balconies, chugging to a little pottery village on the outskirts. There are plenty of sightseeing opportunities, lots of interesting museums, lovely architecture, ornate fountains and many monuments.

These days, Rethymnon is a tourist resort with attitude! A new generation has emerged to provide superb infrastructure for the discerning visitor without losing sight of the superb legacy of the past. Great amenities like quality hotels, uber cool cafes and bars and trendy shops are cheek by jowl with the museums and Centre of Byzantine Art, so no fear of forgetting this town's provenance!

The lovely Mediterranean climate (and, remember, Crete is the most southerly of all the Greek Islands) throws up oodles of warm sunshine, tepid waters for bathing and balmy evening temperatures for al fresco dining. Beachside restaurants and waterfront cafes and bars take full advantage, so Rethymnon holidays are very much lived outside in the summer months.

A truly lovely Cretan holiday option, Rethymnon is charming and delightful. We offer a selection of hotels in the resort.