The Scotsman Travel — It has reached that time of the year when summer seems like a distant memory and venturing out without a scarf and hat is unthinkable. Which is why most of us are dreaming of sunnier climes, blue seas and unspoiled beaches on which to enjoy a cocktail or two.
One destination where these can be found pretty much all year round is Greece, which is why Crete has been a popular tourist destination for many years.
Agios Nikolaos has an ideal balance of turquoise sea, peaceful beaches and late-night bars and restaurants.
Serving a range of cuisines from traditional Cretan and gourmet Mediterranean to fine dining and buffets, the Minos Art Beach Hotel located in its own private peninsula, is a design destination with a difference.
Bacchus Restaurant, one of the four choices (which hosts a fresh breakfast buffet) serves a daily changing dinner buffet from which we enjoyed Italian and Greek fare during our stay.
But it was the special, seasonal lobster dinner served in La Bouillaisse that was the most memorable meal of the trip. This five-course tasting menu featured a range of dishes such as a smoked lobster salad, lobster consommé with homemade ravioli, sautéed lobster served with celery risotto and peas and Valrhona chocolate mousse with raspberries. La Bouillaisse specialises in Mediterranean food served in a romantic setting by the bay.
Seafood lovers should book into Terpsis seafront tavern and tuck into the delicious specialities of fresh fish served with pure Cretan olive oil. And any guests staying in a villa or superior room can choose to spend an evening at the pretty Ambrosia restaurant. Its terrace is shrouded in beautiful pink Bougainvillea, which stands out against the whitewashed walls to offer a picture perfect location.
Worth visiting:
The Archaeological Museum of Agios Nikolaos.
The Aquaworld Aquarium, one of only three aquariums in Greece.
Crete’s only 18-hole golf course about 25 miles away.
