For those who like their beach holidays to come with a large dose of history and a side order of stunning scenery, Crete is the place for you. Not only does the picturesque island have miles of beautiful beaches, secluded coves and jaw-dropping mountainous scenery, but, as the home of Europe’s earliest Minoan civilisation, it’s also steeped in history and crammed with ancient ruins. At 260km long and 60km wide, Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and offers many options to the holidaymaker – whether you wish to soak up the rays, be a culture vulture or explore the traditional villages and mountainous interior.

WHERE SHOULD I STAY?

Many of Crete’s luxury resorts are located on the island’s north-east coast, near the pretty fishing village of Elounda and the bustling harbour town of Agios Nikolaos (known by Brits as Ag Nik). The newest five-star hotel to open on this stretch of rugged coastline is the Gran Melia Luxury Resort & Villas Daios Cove (www.granmeliacrete.com). It has a commanding hillside position overlooking the hotel’s private bay and crystal-clear sea. Even though this low-rise hotel, with 262 rooms and 39 villas (many with their own plunge pools), has a wonderfully unspoiled location and no neighbours, it’s just a short drive from both Ag Nik and Elounda.

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Behind its sleek glass, wood and stone façade, the hotel’s interior is contemporary with inviting white sofas, funky lights and red flickering candles. OK!’s suite was decorated in soothing natural beige and white with cool marble flooring. Our favourite sunset spot was sitting on our balcony sipping wine and soaking up the stunning sea views and twinkling lights of Ag Nik in the distance. By day, activity takes place around the infinity pool or down on Daios Cove, the private beach. A wide variety of watersports awaits or you can just chill over a cocktail or two at the beach bar. The only drawback is that walking back to your room isn’t really an option – we tried it once and only once! A golf buggy is the best way to get around, or hop on the hillside funicular that connects the hotel’s different levels.

If you want to be pampered, the hotel’s spa, with its indoor pool, is a cool oasis. While OK! opted for a traditional massage, there are a myriad of other treatments such as anti-wrinkle or cellulite therapies or those using local ingredients such as olive oil, mint, lavender and jasmine.

WHERE CAN I EAT?

The three restaurants at the Gran Melia offer plenty of choice. For local dishes such as shrimps saganaki (grilled prawns with tomato, feta and ouzo) or fresh Greek salads, try the Greek Taverna, while for dishes from around the world sample the nightly buffet at Pangea. If gourmet cuisine is more your scene, look no further than Ocean Club. With its romantic setting overlooking the pool, OK! feasted on succulent roast scallops and grilled mackerel with zucchini, while our other half tucked into lamb with a black olive crust.

Ag Nik offers plenty of lively tavernas, both around the charming harbour and lining the central freshwater lake. Just a few minutes walk from here, OK! discovered Creta Embassy, a rustic taverna with a lovely flower-filled courtyard where we enjoyed several local dishes including rabbit stew, stuffed vine leaves and chicken souvlaki that was cooked on the outdoor grill. We also liked our delicious pizzas and local Mythos beer at Sirocco Pizzeria overlooking the marina. One night we stumbled upon Alexandro, a rooftop bar overlooking the harbour. It’s the perfect place for a cocktail and a boogie.

WHERE CAN I SHOP?

The two main streets in Ag Nik are crammed with stores so it’s a wonderful place to stroll. OK! found a delightful shop on Oktovriou Street full of things carved from the local olive wood and we picked up a nice salad bowl. Other local specialities include ceramics, natural sponges, honey and a range of products made from olive oil. We also loved Politimo, which sells local glassware and antique rugs.

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WHAT SIGHTS MUST I SEE?

The pretty harbour at Elounda overflows with sleek yachts and colourful wooden fishing boats, while the quayside is lined with inviting tavernas serving the freshest of fish. It’s from here that OK! took a boat excursion to the deserted island Spinalonga, once an ancient Venetian fort and more recently Europe’s last leper colony until it was abandoned in the ’50s. Our walk around the narrow deserted streets and houses on this tiny island, made famous as the setting for Victoria Hislop’s novel The Island, was both fascinating and poignant.

Venturing further afield, OK! drove up the steep winding roads flanked by olive groves to the Lassithi Plateau, 900m above sea level. It was once dotted with thousands of windmills that had been built from the 17th century onwards to power water pumps, but only a handful still exist.

The remains of the Palace of Knossos, the second most visited archaeological sight in Greece that dates back to 1900BC, is a must for many visitors. On the outskirts of the island’s capital Heraklion, this magnificent former 1,500-room palace, built by King Minos, is said to have house the mythological half-man, half-bull Minotaur.

WHAT STARS WILL I SEE?

One of Crete’s most recent high-profile visitors was Lady GaGa, who holidayed at a five-star hotel in Elounda. She was also spotted visiting  Spinalonga on a yacht. Other fans of Elounda’s luxury hotels are Ant and Dec, Jenny Frost, Emma Bunton and Gail Porter. Jennifer Aniston’s father, John Anastassakis, was born in Crete and she spent a year there as a child, living on a farm.  The mischievous cast of The Inbetweeners were spotted in the island’s neon-lit party hotspot of Malia during the filming of their new movie.

HOW DO I GET THERE?

Sovereign Luxury Travel (0844 415 1936; www.sovereign.com) offers a seven-night break, including return flights from London Gatwick to Crete and private hotel transfers, staying at the Gran Melia Luxury Resort & Villas Daios Cove from £799pp. Price is based on September 25 2011 departures and includes a complimentary upgrade to half board, a room upgrade to deluxe sea view, a 20 per cent discount and an online booking discount. The hotel is open annually from April to October.
Make the most of your trip and hire a car from EuroCreta Car Rental (www.eurocreta.gr).