Gouves Holidays

Facing the sparkling Aegean up on Crete's Heraklion area on the northern coast, Gouves itself is made up of two halves. The old whitewashed village of Pano Gouves nestles against Mount Ederi, while Kato Gouves is the new part of town. To the west of its harbours sits a calm beach with gentle shallow shores, perfect for a paddle.

Only half an hour's drive away is Crete's capital, Heraklion, where you'll find a mix of ancient and modern delights. There are historical wonders like the Palace of Knossos, the old city walls and the pretty Venetian port, plus some of the most inviting designer boutiques on the island.

Greek people take their coffee seriously – they also take it sweet, dark and with foam on top. It arrives in a long-handled server called a briki with a glass of cold water, and you can sip as loudly as you like. Feast on vanilla cream pie known as bougatsa to complete your authentic mid-afternoon-snack experience.

Just a 15-minute drive away is Skotino Cave. Legend has it that this is where Theseus fought a half-man, half-bull monster in a fiendish underground maze. It's still surprisingly quiet and atmospheric but much easier to get in and out of these days.