Crete
The 5-star Cayo Exclusive Resort is a luxurious Mediterranean hideaway nestling in one of the most enviable locations in Crete, just above the picturesque village of Plaka in Elounda. Explore the village of Plaka and its iconic beach and visit the historic island of Spinalonga, a UNESCO World Heritage List nominee. Agios Nikolaos, a cosmopolitan seaside town is only a 15-minute car journey from the resort. Cayo Resort’s high-speed watercraft and catamaran are available to charter for a full or half-day tour of the islands of Spinalonga and Kolokytha.
You’ll spend long, lazy days on Plaka beach just below the Cayo Exclusive Resort. After a swim in the crystal clear waters, head for the hotel’s Stone Beach House restaurant for a light lunch or an afternoon cocktail. There are two pools to choose from, a fully equipped gym, a yoga studio and a fabulous spa with a heated indoor pool, a steam room, sauna and a great range of treatments. Cayo’s International Restaurant is the perfect place to start your day with a delicious Greek or international breakfast and finish it with a rich selection of dinner choices. During the day, delectable Mediterranean lunches will be served at the Pool Mediterranean Restaurant while in Cayo’s Greek Gourmet Restaurant you’ll enjoy the Executive Chef’s creative interpretations of rich traditional Greek cuisine. What’s more, the hotel has a fine wine cellar with some exceptional labels to match your dinner choice.
Elounda is a small town on the northern coast of Crete, on the eastern half of the island. Located in the wonderful Mirabello Bay, it has an attractive coastline, shaded beaches and pristine blue waters. In addition to the lovely beaches here, there are many charming little villages that give glimpses of a bygone age. Elounda is home to two of the most spectacular archaeological sites in Crete: the ruins of the ancient sunken city of Olous and the Venetian fortress on Spinalonga. Olous is thought to have existed before 780 AD and can be reached by snorkelling or diving from the narrow strip of land that joins the mainland and Kolokytha peninsula, with access just south of Elounda. The island of Spinalonga has featured in popular culture on many occasions, including, recently, in Victoria Hislop’s bestselling 2005 novel, The Island. As is the case with many Greek islands, the food here is incredibly important. Mezze dishes of saganaki (pan-seared cheese), sardines doused in olive oil and chilli, and some dried barley bread covered in tomatoes, cheese and olive oil.
