Experience breakfast like a local

With brunches being served now by practically most cafes and restaurants in Chania, and not just on Sundays, and with Greek Breakfast being offered as an exclusive option in many boutique hotels or bigger resorts, it's time to learn the basics on how you can experience breakfast in Chania.

1. On-the-go breakfast

This is what most Greeks always considered as breakfast: coffee in one hand and a pie or sesame bread roll (koulouri) on the other hand. Depending on the area you are living or your personal taste, a pie can be a cheese pie, spanakopita or cream-filled bougatsa. In Chania, our favourite breakfast snack is either a selection of pastries like lychnarakia, goat cheese-filled kalitsounia (also try the fennel pies) from the Giannarakis local hangout next to the Town Hall in Kydonias street or the cheese-filled bougatsa with sprinkled sugar on top at Bougatsa Hanion on Apokoronou street.

2. Kafeneio breakfast

Along with periptero, the omni-present kiosk selling everything, the kafenio (traditional coffee shop) is a 100% Greek concept. Don't except menus and exquisite plating here, but do try the Greek coffee which is usually prepared in the traditional way ie. in the sand (hovoli). They will bring a cookie or loukoum on the side, but you can also have some cheese with honey or small fried pastries. Ask if they have fresh eggs and they will whip a hearty omelet with wild greens or local cheese that you will never forget.

3. Hotel breakfasts

Our concierges have spotted some of the best breakfast options served by hotels in Chania. Two of our favourites are Ammos Hotel, a vibrant design family hotel in Agii Apostoli, owned by an amazing host and Casa Delfino, an elegant 17th-century Venetian mansion in the old part of Chania. Setting the alarm for breakfast in Ammos is definitely worth it as you can have eggs as you wish and sample something different everyday. At Casa Delfino they call their breakfast legendary and they own to it! There are even gluten-free and vegan choices, traditional recipes with only local and seasonal ingredients on rotation to sample something new everyday.

4. Brunch with a view

Pancakes with different spreads, eggs benedict or croque madames have managed to conquer Greeks who rarely had a proper breakfast unless their mother dragged them from the playground. Our favourite spots combine both delicious dishes and a great location: Phyllo on one of the most beautiful alleys behind the Old Harbour (try the their sourdough bread sandwiches), Jar in a lush green setting next to a pond (loved the pancakes with speculoos spread) that will transport you and Pallas at a prime location next to Neoria with amazing views to the Lighthouse (huge omelettes and beautiful breakfast served on tiered platters).

5. Breakfast on demand

Eventually we are all used to the convenience of ordering pizza or gyros through an app or website. Breakfast in has prepared some delightful breakfast options you can order and have it delivered at your place or your Airbnb to enjoy delicious and healthy choices everyday. They even have 3 different children's menus that will spoil your little ones with peanut butter & jelly sandwiches or traditional sfakiani pita drizzled with Cretan thyme honey. And their coffee is great too!

A destination for all seasons

The number one Greek destination for international travellers is open all year round and can serve a variety of travellers with different motives: relax, outdoor, family, culture and of course gastronomy.

Spring

It's Easter time and there is no better place to celebrate the greatest religious holiday than in Crete. Some of the most beautiful monasteries and places of worship are scattered around, drawing not only the believers but anyone willing to get to know the Easter customs like eggs cracking and making tsoureki or

Watch Greeks spending more time with their families over a lamb on a spit or around the festive table.

BEST TIME FOR:

Walking tours to gorges and around mountainous villages Hands-on cooking classes

Observe local customs Safari tours

Summer

No surprises here, as most of the international visitors are coming for the sun and top notch beaches like Balos and Elafonissi, which are consistently in shortlists with the best beaches in the world. An additional bonus is that there is always a good taverna serving homemade casseroles or grilled octopus to enjoy after hours of sunbathing in a secluded bay, or after enjoying a variety of water sports available in many of the most organised beaches.

BEST TIME FOR:

Water sports Quad tours

Boat trips Hands-on cooking classes

Autumn

The sea might be the number one attraction for the millions of visitors, but equally important are the island's imposing mountains and fertile valleys. Now is the perfect opportunity to visit the scattered villages throughout the countryside - some of which like Vamos and Gavalochori, are excellently preserved with vineyards, olive and orange groves. Starting from late October, olive picking gathers everyone in the olive groves and it is also

a wonderful opportunity for visitors to mingle with the local community and learn to make their own olive oil.

BEST TIME FOR:

Walking tours to gorges and around mountainous villages Hands-on cooking classes Safari tours

Monastery visits

Road trips

Winter

Few know that Crete once had a ski resort on Mount Psiloritis' Nida Plateau. It welcomed its guests in 1980 but ceased operation few years later because of electricity shortages and poor access. Now, It lies abandoned some 1500 meters above sea level. But, things have changed since and you will be amazed to find out that ski mountaineering is growing in popularity even in Crete. And the win is double as snow lovers no longer have to be confined to expensive ski resorts and also Crete can finally present a really off-the-beaten track destination that does not attract only the masses.

BEST TIME FOR:

Walking tours around mountainous villages Hands-on cooking classes Safari tours

Mountaineering ski

Why you need a travel concierge

Travel concierges, travel consultants or advisors... no matter how you call them, you know you will need them at least once in your life, even more if you travel somewhere where all is Greek to you!

Travelling is so rewarding and we usually gladly jump to the process of designing it either alone or as a group of travel DIY enthusiasts. But, when the novelty wears off and we end up having spent days and hours doing research for every part of our trip, it's better to pause and think.

Imagine if all you needed to do was to get in a taxi waiting to take you to your Greek hotel. Then, you know that everything is already arranged for you:

Brunch with eggs as you like them, a visit to a cheese maker that made today's delicious graviera, a bottle of wine delivered at your room from a local shop, and tickets for a cultural tour the next day customised to your own likes..

1. It saves you time: before and during your trip

While still in the planning process, it will save you hours from research. It's your time to have fun, not prove your DIY skills! After your arrival, by using a travel assistant you get to spend more precious time with your loved ones, than searching for the best available fish taverna near your beach. Your personal travel assistant in Greece will give you tips only locals know and will always be available for assistance.

2. You have access to the best in Greece

Travel concierges are some of the most well-rounded, funny, personable and knowledgeable people you'll meet. They have built meaningful connections with local providers and know all the right addresses to recommend to you. Plus, whenever there is a need to change a plan, concierges know how to be flexible enough to accommodate you and give you peace of mind.

The jewelery shop you were planning to buy a gift from is nearly closed and you don't have time to get there. Your travel assistant will make the right call, and your gift can even be delivered at your hotel room.

3. You get the personalisation you crave for

You cannot get truly personalised recommendations without getting personal. So, unlike using a travel marketplace, you can ask your concierge and they will bring you all marketplaces at your fingertips. No cookie-cutter solutions when travelling or quantity versus quality: a true travel concierge will not give you 300 options, but just 3 that are 100% right for you.

For example, if you are into hiking and a nature-lover, you might prefer a suggestion to eat at a local laid back restaurant that only cooks with seasonal and local ingredients, not the new hot sushi restaurant in town.

3. You have real assistance, mostly on a rainy day

Planning a trip has become more of a high tech thing than a high-touch service as it was and should be. But, after Covid-19, many travellers realised they miss the human factor when they are facing small hiccups or serious disruptions during their trip.

You know you need a travel concierge when you have to look up a doctor on duty in the middle of the night or have a last-minute cancellation for an activity and do not want to negotiate, or if you forgot something value and you need it posted back.