Crete, beloved by Greeks and internationals alike, but specifically the northeastern corner, between Heraklion and Agios Nikolais – an overlooked swathe of gorgeous Mediterranean beaches and landscapes which is undergoing a renaissance of hospitality, food and culture.
With plenty of exciting cultural events and the grand unveiling of Wyndham Grand Crete Mirabello Bay’sthird and final renovation – there is no better time for a visit to Crete. Whether a culture vulture longing for a vibrant city escape, a foodie dreaming of exploring the fine Cretian culinary scenes, or a sun-seeker hoping to relax and unwind on white-hot beaches – it isn’t too early to book a Greek getaway.
Beyond the year-round temperate weather ranging between 17° to 30° degrees from spring to fall, there are endless reasons to consider the cost-for-value hospitality accommodations, festivals and new experiences one can have in Northeastern Crete in 2023.
We’ve rounded up our six reasons to visit Northeastern Crete this year:
1) New rooms, suites and facilities at Grand Crete Wyndham Mirabello Bay: New for 2023, the five-star resort will reveal the redesign of the final 108 rooms, which are set to feature an earthy colour palette and natural materials, including oak wood flooring and sophisticated black metal finishes. The new rooms will offer bungalow suites and rooms with far reaching sea views and private pools and indoor jacuzzis, providing guests with the utmost comfort and privacy.
The hotel’s main swimming pool will also be extended and finished with an impressive infinity overflow feature, and a floating platform will be constructed in the sea to better serve the water activity centre. The resort olive grove surrounding the yoga platforms will be landscaped, and a new garden will be created growing aromatic native plants and herbs.
2) Ai Ioanni Klidonas in Gortyna (June 2023): A cultural event where locals come together to eat and drink, and adorn a magnificent bonfire, jumping over lit flames to free themselves of evil – a sacred, celebratory tradition dating back to medieval times.
3) Private Marina at Mirabello: Designed to be a maritime asylum for venturesome seafarers, Wyndham Grand Mirabello’s Marina ensnares you with the gentle zephyr and the azure, almost transparent waters. Whether you are about to arrive on the beautiful shores of Cretan pureness or lease a vessel and seek the Aegean wonders, the on-site Marina will serve as your buoyant sanctuary.
Perfect for private entries, overnight moorings, and yacht catering, this halcyon berth gives the hotel’s guests effortless access to amusing water sports such as snorkelling, diving, and sailing, and it saturates their psyche with wonder via unforgettable sightseeing tours and nostalgic fishing trips. Furthermore, the Marina is intensely privileged, with the magnificent Beach Club located just a breath away. Blissful moments formed by delectable meals and inspiring fitness escapades await you here.
4) Bioaroma Natural: Bioaroma Crete, founded in 2007 in Agios Nikolaos, Crete, is a pioneering organic cosmetics and perfumes company, environmentally friendly with sustainable development. Our mission is to utilize the natural wealth of Greek land by creating high-quality organic cosmetics and fragrances, by incorporating vertically integrated action sequences, starting from the field and finishing on the shelf. For travellers looking to create their own scent and bring the florals of Crete, Biorama offers hands-on soap and fragrance workshops that allow you to experience the wonder of creating a bespoke fragrance that is as unique as you or craft your own cosmetic cream or beautiful handmade olive oil soap using traditional techniques. Biorama also offers tours of the surrounding flower fields to learn about the local health properties of the northeastern section of the island.
5) The Extraordinary Dining Scene: Northeastern Crete offers some of the most delectable restaurants, wineries and dining experience that rivals the world’s best destinations. Around the contours of northeastern Crete are leading restaurants including Archontiko in Agios Nikolaos, which was named a Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best2022. The seaside village of Mochlos is also chock-full of quaint seaside restaurants with some of the best fish and local delicacies in the region.
Also in this region, a slew of olive oil presses and farms with local production methods and centuries-old vineyards yield some of the best labels in the region, including those from the tsounati variety, with a walnut yet delicate taste, and the koroneiki variety, more fragrant, fresh, and spicy, ideal for salads. Guests looking to taste the best olive oil in the region can attend the weekly olive oil festival a festival and competition in the nearby village of Sisi. Starting with the old oil press from the 18th century and through the family’s award-winning ecological olive oil mill, visitors will learn all the secrets of the olive and its oil, as well as tastings of local honey, wine, raki and followed by an epic outdoor meal.
6) And for wine-lovers, look no further than Crete to sample some of the award-winning labels from this fertile and rich soil found on the island. Just a short drive from Heraklion are the Manousakis Winery, Karavitakis Winery, Douloufakis Winery where indigenous grapes such as Kotsifali, Liatiko, Mandilaria that have been grown on centuries-old vineyards and yield some of the best wines in the Mediterranean.
For more information or to book, visit: Wyndham Grand Crete Mirabello Bay
