Crete!
On the way to my 2nd COVID shot appointment, we began to actively daydream about life after lock-down restrictions ease, travelling somewhere sans itinerary with copious amounts of sand and sun. Enter, Lyttos Beach Family Resort. Neither of us had an opportunity to enjoy an all-inclusive resort to date and let me tell you, boy were we delighted, as was our budget.
Somehow we both misremembered the correct airport to fly into (Herkalion!) in order for the hotel to transport us, resulting in hiring a driver (Versataxi came in clutch and was top notch) days before departing and taking a two hour drive to the resort.
Day One: Drive to Hahn (Easy Parking Hahn was crazy inexpensive and a quick walk to the airport). Fly to Chania. Two hour transfer* to hotel (with literal roadside stop to have a snack as Hahn airport vendors were closed at 6a and COVID measures do not allow eating/drinking in transport vehicles). Beach! Dinner at Dikatmos (Italian)
Day Two: O sleeps in! Mama runs. Parentals enjoy coffee on our balcony. Beach first thing. Water park (with pit-stop for lunch) for remainder of the day. Dinner at Taverna Kalypso (Greek)
Day Three: Beach (am). Lunch at Thalmassa Snack Bar (Ramen!) Papa swims laps in the Olympic sized pool. Water park! Dinner at Diktamos (Seafood)
Day Four: Mama runs the beach at dawn. Slow morning with coffee on the balcony. Breakfast at Kalypso. “Round” of golf, swinging by the tennis club for respite from the heat and cool drinks. Laundry (lame, but necessary). Papa swims laps. Lunch at Taverna Kalypso. Family, NAP. Mama goes to the SPA, boys head to the water park. Dinner at Taste of Asia.
Day Five: Breakfast with a side of toddler tantrum. Papa goes for a 30 mile bike ride; mama and boys hit up water park till nap time. Lunch at Taverna Kalypso. Beach! Dinner at Diktamos
Day Six: Heat be like, oppressive. Tennis! Arcade! Ice cream! Lunch at Thalassa Snack Bar. Water park - posted up on lazy river. Pre-Dinner cocktail at the bar. Dinner at Taverna Kalypso. Cocktails and iPads at Asteri Bar.
Day Seven: Papa swims laps; everyone sleeps in. Champagne breakfast at Diktamos. Beach; sand castles, burying one another, rock collecting. Siesta; mama long run at the gym. Lunch at Taverna Kalypso. Water park; lazy river! Snack shopping for journey home. Dinner at Taste of Asia. Sunset cocktails at Ble Bar.
June provided gorgeous weather, albeit a few days got into the high 90’s which was - WARM. Bring sunscreen and don’t forget chapstick with SPF. Learn from my severely lip burned ignorance.
Now, let’s chat about the resort. In a word, HEAVEN. The COVID protocols in place across the resort left us feeling safe and thoroughly cared for. In addition, the focus on family and fun for everyone was celebrated and appreciated. They literally thought of everything! We stayed in a beachfront family room with a balcony, and twin bedroom (perfect for us as they are not old enough for bunks) for the boys. The laundry room onsite is steps from the water-park and free for use. Speaking of, the water-park was the highlight of our trip and where we spent majority of our time - O declared we “have to come back every year”. Tennis was a fun way to spend the morning, though the kids found more joy playing in the clay on the court. I went to the Spa for my first massage (masked, obv) since we moved and let me tell you it was - BLISS. A leisurely round of golf under the midday heat meant we had the course to ourselves to romp. Mark rented a mountain bike from the hotel and had a wonderful time exploring the island. The arcade provided fun on land and the small general store was stoked with all the essentials (including deep conditioner for our sun bleached tresses) and loads of pool toys/floaties that the kids wanted to need.
Each restaurant specialized in a cuisine and hosted them nights, set against incredible views (go early to snag a table alfresco!). Our favorite was Taverna Kalypso, though each restaurant included kid favorites (kid plates and kid height buffets gave them the autonomy to choose their own culinary adventure) which kept the meal time tantrums exceedingly low. O loved the fresh juice stations and A tucked himself into ice cream every meal, while Mark and I savored all the different options, because food tastes better when you don’t have to cook it.
First holiday post lock-down is one for the books. Till next time, Crete!
*in a black Mercedes van, much to O’s delight as he thoroughly enjoys having a driver in a black car. Which I take offense to because, hello - who ferries you to and fro everyday?!
