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Elena Mari | Crete Kreeta Grecia Travel Consultant Creta Crète

@ilovecrete

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Bespoke itineraries & Elite logistics.
Curating the finest side of Crete.
Italian soul, based in Greece.
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Crete isn't just about the sea.

It's the lagoon you reach by boat,

the sunset that turns the whole coastline gold,

a farmhouse kitchen where you cook with a real family,

a mill where you watch the oil being born,

a village still little known, where someone pours you a glass of raki.

These are the experiences I recommend when you write to me,

not a fixed list, but the right ones for your trip.

Tell me what you're looking for: a quiet island, a cooking afternoon, a night of traditional dance, and I'll point you toward what actually fits.

Write to me, and let's find the right one for you.

#Crete #TravelGreece #CretanCooking #AuthenticGreece #BalosLagoon by @ilovecrete

There's a way of traveling that goes beyond ticking places off a list.

It's about slowing down, choosing experiences that stay with you, and letting a place change the way you see the world.

This is my travel philosophy.

The one I've built living on this island, day after day, season after season.

Swipe through to discover what I believe in.

Write me to plan your journey together 🩵.

#Ilovecrete #CreteIsland #slowtravel #ExpatLife #slowsummer by @ilovecrete

From Milan to Crete 🇮🇹🇬🇷

Ten years ago I never imagined an October trip to Chania would change my life.

Today I live here permanently, and people often ask me: why did you actually do it?

In this carousel, I'm sharing my real story, no filters. Not a whirlwind romance turned escape,
but a decision that grew slowly, with a real plan and plenty of fear of getting it wrong.

It's not all a fairy tale.
But I've never regretted it, not for a second.

My mission today is to let you get to know Crete through my own eyes, the way I love it and to help you experience Crete through authentic, carefully selected experiences lived on the ground, helping you avoid mass tourism, confusion, and rip-offs, while traveling with more awareness and responsibility.

What about you ?
Is there a place that made you want to start over? 👇

#ilovecrete #crete #chania #expatlife #slowlife by @ilovecrete

Frangokastello is one of those places on Crete’s south coast where history, landscape and legend come together.

Here you can explore a 14th-century Venetian fortress, walk along a long sandy beach and discover the story of the Drosoulites, the mysterious shadows of Cretan fighters who, according to local legend, appear at dawn in late May.

My advice? Don't just stop for the fortress and the beach. There are other interesting places to discover nearby, as well as traditional tavernas where you can enjoy a meal by the sea.

Save this post if you're planning a trip to southwestern Crete. It will help you plan your day!

#Frangokastello #Crete #VisitCrete #SouthCrete #Chania by @ilovecrete

How often do we tell ourselves that we need a break?

That we wish we had more time to breathe, to enjoy life and to stop rushing from one thing to the next?

Then we arrive in Crete and remember that happiness is often found in the simplest things.

A swim in the sea without checking the time.
Taking a road just because we're curious.
Tasting a dish we've never tried before.
A sky full of stars. A sunset that makes us want to stay just five minutes longer.

These are the moments I hope you'll take home with you after your holiday in Crete.

Not just beautiful photographs of places, but the feeling of having truly been there, of having enjoyed each day without constantly rushing towards the next.

Because travelling should remind us of something important:
life isn't just about things to do, goals to achieve and days to fill.

❤️ Tell me: what's one little moment during a trip that made you feel truly happy?

I'd love to read your stories in the comments. by @ilovecrete

Some places in Crete have stories that have been passed down for centuries. Moni Paliani is one of them. 🌿

About 30 minutes from Heraklion, near the village of Venerato, this historic monastery is home to a very special tree: an ancient myrtle known as Agia Myrtia, the Holy Myrtle.

According to local tradition, an icon of the Virgin Mary was found among its roots. The legend goes even further: the icon is said to be hidden inside the trunk, where only children can see it.

Whether you believe the story or not, it's a fascinating detail to discover when you visit.

Moni Paliani is still an active convent, where a community of nuns continues its religious life. Take your time to explore the church and courtyard, and remember that this is first and foremost a place of prayer.

📍 Moni Paliani, near Venerato, Heraklion region

A little tip from me: check visiting hours before you go, dress modestly and always ask permission before taking photographs.

Have you ever visited a place in Crete with a legend like this one?

Follow @ilovecrete for more places, stories and experiences to discover the island beyond its most famous destinations. 💙

#ilovecrete #Crete #ExploreCrete #Heraklion #HiddenCrete by @ilovecrete

I left Milan at 51 to start a new life in Crete.
I had a plan, a house to renovate and a thousand things to figure out.

I didn’t have the language, I didn’t know anyone, and I had no idea how hard those first months would be.

There were days when I wondered if we’d made a mistake. Then came a coffee with a neighbour, a conversation that turned into a friendship, and all those little moments that made this place feel less foreign.

Today, Crete is home. And looking back, I know that starting over was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

I shared the whole story in my newsletter: the doubts, the difficulties and the moments that changed everything.

If you’re thinking about changing your life, or simply wondering what it takes to start again somewhere new, I hope my story will speak to you.

📩 Read it in English or Italian.

Subscribe to my newsletter 🩵.

#ilovecrete #creteisland #grecia #expatlife #moveabroad by @ilovecrete

7 DAYS IN WESTERN CRETE
—》MY KIND OF ITINERARY 🇬🇷

If I had seven days to explore western Crete,
this is how I'd want to spend them.

I'd give Chania time to reveal its little corners,
visit Balos when the conditions are right,
stay late in Falassarna for sunset, and leave space for the slower rhythm of the south coast.

I'd bring water and a little curiosity to Kedrodasos, linger over lunch in Paleochora, and keep one day open for wherever the island takes me.

A few things I'd personally keep in mind:
✨ Choose your base carefully: the west is bigger than it looks on the map.
✨ Start early for the most popular beaches.
✨ Don't underestimate driving times on mountain roads.
✨ Keep an eye on the wind and sea conditions.
✨ Leave room for spontaneous stops. They're often the best part.

Because Crete isn't just about finding the most beautiful beach. It's about finding your own way to experience it.

Save this itinerary for your next trip, and tell me: which place would you put at the top of your list?

#ilovecrete #Crete #CreteIsland #Chania #cretanbeaches by @ilovecrete

KOLOKYTHA BEACH

One of my favourite beaches in eastern Crete.

I love the contrast between the white sand, the turquoise water and the dry, rocky landscape all around. Every time I come here, I’m struck by how beautiful this part of the island is.

Kolokytha is a small beach, and in summer it can get busy, so my advice is to arrive early, especially if you want to enjoy a few hours by the sea before the crowds arrive.

A few things to keep in mind before you go: there are no facilities on the beach, so bring enough water and anything else you might need.

Take all your rubbish back with you, including cigarette butts, and leave the beach as you found it. Avoid disturbing the surrounding vegetation and never light fires.

Places like this are part of what makes Crete so special. Let's do our part to keep them that way.

📍 Kolokytha Beach, near Elounda, eastern Crete. by @ilovecrete

Two years ago, I was still living in Milan,
and all of this was just a dream.

Today, I live in a little house in the Cretan mountains, have my freddo espresso every morning, know where to find the best fresh vegetables, and can go swimming in the sea many times a day.

I have my favourite taverna, neighbours who leave fresh fruit outside my door, and Mount Psiloritis to look at every morning when I open the shutters.

This is my everyday life now, made up of simple things that make me happy.

Moving to another country isn't always easy, but when I think back to when all of this was just a dream, I'm glad I took the leap.

I'm 53, and I've learned that you can change direction in life even when you think you're too old to start over.

If you're dreaming of a different life too, don't stop dreaming about it. Maybe one day, that dream will become your everyday life, just as it did for me. ❤️

And you? Have you ever thought about changing your life? by @ilovecrete

10 Cretan dishes to look for at a traditional taverna 🍽️

From crunchy dakos to slow-cooked antikristo, Cretan cuisine is built on simple, local ingredients: olive oil, wild greens, fresh cheese, herbs and meat cooked with patience.

Swipe through for the full list, from the familiar (dakos, kalitsounia, horta) to the more adventurous (snails!).

Which one is your favourite? Tell me in the comments 👇

Save this post for your next table in Crete 💙

#cretanfood #cretanCuisine #greekfood #ilovecrete #cretetravel by @ilovecrete

GOING TO BALOS ON FOOT? SAVE THIS. 🌊

Balos is one of those places where a little preparation makes a big difference.

If you’re driving, check your rental agreement first.
The road includes around 7–8 km of unpaved track, and many rental companies don’t allow their cars to be driven there or exclude damage from their insurance.

From the parking area, you then have about 1–1.2 km downhill to the lagoon. It’s an easy walk down, but remember that you’ll have to walk back up later, often under the sun.

Keep an eye out for the goats. They sometimes climb onto cars and can cause damage, and on the beach they may try to steal your food. Don’t leave it unattended.

Wear proper shoes with good grip. The trail is rocky and uneven, with little natural shade.

Facilities are limited and seasonal, so bring what you need for the day, including food and sun protection.
A small beach umbrella can also be useful if you plan to stay for a few hours.

And please remember that Balos is a protected natural area.

Stay on the marked paths, don’t take sand or plants, and take your rubbish with you.

Save this post before your trip to Balos. by @ilovecrete