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Our Holiday In Agios Nikolaos, Crete

  • 15 September 2020
  • 6 comments
  • 2.9K views
  • Elizabeth
Minos Beach Art Hotel

 

And just like that it’s autumn.

We’ve been home from Crete for a week now and I’ll start by saying a little bit about the travel itself. We booked the holiday at the start of the year, before we’d even heard of Covid-19. Nobody could have foreseen the impact it has had on travel, so we were both a little apprehensive, but we need not have worried.

Travel during Covid-19

We flew from Leeds Bradford, a small and relatively quiet airport at the best of times. On the day we flew out, there was only one flight per hour. There were no queues, everyone wore a mask and everything was very efficient, including the usual security procedures. The flight was full, and again, everyone wore a mask and only very few passengers got up or moved. The transfer from Heraklion airport to our hotel was via minibus with alternate rows of seating in use. We’d checked into the hotel online prior to arriving, so all we needed to do when we got there was have our temperature checked.

(On 7th September, our last full day there, the Government announced that as of 4am 9th September, those returning to England from several Greek islands, including Crete, must quarantine for 14 days. We were due to land 12 hours before that deadline, at 4pm on 8th. Thankfully there were no delays so we didn’t need to quarantine).

Minos Beach Art Hotel

We stayed at Minos Beach Art Hotel which is a fifteen minute walk away from the centre of Agios Nikolaos. We stayed half board in a sea view bungalow which was absolutely gorgeous. It had a small patio with a view to die for. The hotel website describes the rooms as minimalist boho-chic and that’s exactly what they are.

sea view bungalow at Minos Beach Art Hotel, Agios Nikolaos, Crete

sea view bungalow at Minos Beach Art Hotel, Agios Nikolaos, Crete

patio sea view bungalow at Minos Beach Art Hotel, Agios Nikolaos, Crete

The grounds are gorgeous too.

 

minos beach art hotel near Agios Nikolaos in Crete

I’ve never seen such vibrant pink bougainvillea.

bougainvillea at Minos Beach Hotel

This is Bacchus, the main restaurant. We had breakfast and dinner there most evenings.

Bacchus main restaurant, Minos Beach Art Hotel, Agios Nikolaos, Crete

sea view bungalow at Minos Beach Art Hotel, Agios Nikolaos, Crete

Meals there were a combination of A La Carte and buffet. Buffets were served from behind a screen. All restaurant staff wore masks and/or visors.

We had lunch most days at Terpsis restaurant which has stunning views across the sea.

view from Terpsis restaurant Minos Beach Art Hotel, Crete

View from Terpsis restaurant, Minos Beach Art Hotel, Crete

We loved that we got olive oil and tomato sorbets with the bread. The sorbets melted quickly to make the perfect dips.

olive oil sorbet at Terpsis restaurant, Minos Beach Art Hotel, Crete

Both Bacchus and Terpsis serve authentic Greek and more specifically Cretan food; every dish was exceptional.

Terpsis restaurant, Minos Beach Art Hotel, Crete
Terpsis (29)

The hotel sits on a private stretch of the water’s edge. We made the most of this with swimming. snorkelling and moon-gazing.

Sea front Hotel Minos Beach Crete

Sea front Hotel Minos Beach Crete

The pool at Minos Beach Art Hotel is surrounded by sunbeds, each with a canopy. It was always quiet and serene. One of the restaurant staff told us that they were at 75% occupancy. Even with another 30% as many guests again, (give or take), 100% occupancy wouldn’t have felt full or crowded; it’s very spacious.

Minos Beach Art Hotel swimming pool

Minos Beach Art Hotel swimming pool

Minos Beach Art Hotel swimming pool

Agios Nikolaos

The main town of Agios Nikolaos is a fifteen minute walk from the Minos Beach Hotel. It’s a pretty place with shops, cafes and restaurants. We went a few times and bought postcards and souvenirs.

Agios Nikolaos

Agios Nikolaos, Crete, Greece

Spinalonga

Spinalonga is a small arid island which lies at the mouth of the natural port of Elounda. It has a rather interesting history. Due to its strategic location, it was fortified and served a variety of roles and purposes over the centuries. It is perhaps best known though as the last leper colony in Europe. Lepers from Crete and the rest of Greece were kept in isolation there until 1957.
In the 16th century the Venetians built a fortress on the ruins of an ancient acropolis. They kept control of the island even after the rest of Crete fell to the Ottomans in 1669. Today thousands of tourists, ourselves included, visit Spinalonga by boat.

Boat trip to Spinalonga from Agios Nikolaos

It is beautiful despite it being so barren but it felt very poignant. I cannot imagine how the ostracised lepers must have felt, knowing they would end their days there.

The island of Spinalonga

The island of Spinalonga

The island of Spinalonga
The island of Spinalonga

The island of Spinalonga

The island of Spinalonga

The island of Spinalonga

The island of Spinalonga

Cretan Olive Farm

Both Ian and I love cooking and cook most things from scratch. We particularly enjoy Mediterranean food and use a lot of olive oil. When we saw that the Cretan Olive Oil Farm is just a half-hour walk from the Minos Beach hotel, we decided to go. We did a self-guided tour, but there are options for a guided tour with tasting as well as cookery and pottery lessons.

Cretan Olive Oil Farm
Cretan Olive Oil Farm

Cretan Olive Oil Farm

Cretan Olive Oil Farm

There is a well-stocked shop, with every imaginable olive oil product and locally grown or produced honey and Raki. The honey is the nicest I have ever tasted so we bought some and also bought Raki, olives, olive oil and olive paste (tapenade).

Cretan Olive Oil Farm

Mochlos

We hired a car for a day and went in search of somewhere pretty to have lunch and to swim. We happened across Mochlos. It ticked every box and n fact, we loved it so much, we stayed for dinner in a super restaurant. It’s a very unspoiled little fishing village, with a small rocky beach, two shops and several restaurants and cafes.

Mochlos

Mochlos, Crete

Mochlos, Crete

Mochlos, Crete

But it was this bougainvillea-clad shop that stood out. It is as lovely inside as it is out too and sells clothes, jewellery and artisan crafts.

white shop with pink bougainvillea in Mochlos, Crete

If my suitcase could have accommodated it, I would have bought a huge raffia lampshade to go over an outdoor pendant bulb on my pergola. Alas, it was way too big to get home, but I have certainly taken a lot of inspo for my home from our holiday. If we go to Crete again, we’d definitely pay Mochlos another visit.

It was a wonderful holiday. I missed my children hugely, but Ian and I really enjoyed the time alone. Agios Nikolaos is a lovely town and Minos Beach Art Hotel is beyond beautiful. We’re considering going back for our honeymoon next year.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this as much as enjoyed writing it. We both feel very grateful to have managed to travel during Covid-19 and to have had such a wonderful time knowing that it was safe to do so. We both feel we are a little bit more prepared for the autumn and winter months ahead. And please click here to see what I wore during the holiday.

Disclosure:

Like many bloggers and content creators, I use affiliate links. I identify these with an asterisk. I identify gifted items within the body of the post. I am a paid ambassador for STEPPER Eyewear and for MAC Eyewear. For links to my current clothes, accessories and homeware, click here. Thank you for reading

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  • Agios Nikolaos
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  • Spinalonga
Elizabeth

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6 comments
  1. Julie says:
    15 September 2020 at 9:08 pm

    Looks lovely! I’m pleased you enjoyed your holiday, Lizzy. (You must mean September instead of August in your 3rd paragraph).

    Reply
    1. elizabeth says:
      15 September 2020 at 9:37 pm

      Hi Julie! I did!!! Thank you so much for pointing it out. How did I miss that after proofreading several times?! And it was absolutely wonderful. I’d love to go back there. It was very special xxx

      Reply
  2. mireilleftm says:
    15 September 2020 at 10:23 pm

    I am thinking this would be great for a 25th anniversary (I still have 7 years to go). It is beautiful!
    http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

    Reply
    1. elizabeth says:
      16 September 2020 at 5:19 am

      It’s perfect for a special occasion. It’s very romantic there xxxx

      Reply
  3. Linda Charie says:
    16 September 2020 at 7:42 am

    We have been several times to Minos Beach hotel and it’s magical, we celebrated my husbands 70th birthday there 3 yrs ago! It’s exactly as you describe it, always peaceful, never has a busy feel, you’ve made me feel very nostalgic now Lizzie. Your outfits looked gorgeous,yes there are some beautiful bits of Homecare and beautiful cotton as I remember.

    Reply
    1. elizabeth says:
      17 September 2020 at 9:07 am

      Oh that’s so lovely to hear Linda. It’s very good to hear that it never feels busy. It really does feel like a true escape and you’re right about the beautiful cotton fabrics and furnishings. I can’t imagine not going back now xxxx

      Reply

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~ Specs by Prue 👓 ~ Yesterday, @benjaminoptici ~ Specs by Prue 👓 ~
Yesterday, @benjaminopticians, we had an open day to celebrate the practice’s 70th birthday. I was delighted to be sharijg the full collection of @specs_by_prue courtesy of @mac_eyewear_uk_ireland. It is a stunning, vibrant collection which is very wearable, very comfortable and beautifully fabricated. I always encourage patients to try something out of their comfort zone and it’s amazing how many will fall in love with a style they wouldn’t have gravitated to. 
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~Jumpsuit~ I absolutely love this jumpsuit. A wor ~Jumpsuit~
I absolutely love this jumpsuit. A wore it a few weeks ago for our friends’ Silver Wedding party and I’ll be wearing it again in Sicily next week. I cannot wait for some sunshine and a bit of relaxation with Ian 💚☀️🇮🇹
~Yorkshire Sculpture Park~ Today we met up with I ~Yorkshire Sculpture Park~
Today we met up with Ian’s brother and sister-in-law at @yspsculpture. It was my first visit and I thought it was brilliant with sculptures by @damienhirst, @erwinwurm and more, (swipe through). The lunch was rather nice too (artichoke bruschetta if you’re interested)💚. 
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Last night- dinner and drinks in Leeds to wish @p0ppyisabella good luck as she heads to London to start her grad job. Also wishing her boyfriend @olivertonkinson all the very best as he embarks on the next step of his legal career tomorrow. We’re so proud of you both and excited for you xxx
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~Trouser Suit~ We’re now in Lichfield, ahead of ~Trouser Suit~
We’re now in Lichfield, ahead of our friends’ Silver Wedding anniversary celebrations tomorrow. I really enjoyed wearing my trouser suit- a rare departure from wearing a dress 🩷
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~Roses~ Ian and I have just spent a lovely few ho ~Roses~
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My cousin got married at the weekend and it was the most wonderful day. So lovely to catch up with family 🩵
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I mentioned on my blog that I was stalking the matching trousers to this fabulous @me_andem jacket. My tenacity paid off and they came back into stock in my size so I duly snapped them up. And..they’re fab. I can’t wait to wear them both as a suit and as separates. 
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~Wedding dress-up~
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