Holidays in Crete: whether to take with you baby?

Many parents wonder whether it is worth going to Crete with children? You can hear the opinion that there are few children on the island entertainment, restaurants rarely offer special menus, etc. But you need to dispel some misconceptions that keep parents from visit to this sunny corner of Greece.

08.02.2014

Отдых с детьми на Крите: плюсы

1. Greece is a country of myths and legends known to all schools. You can imagine how much more interesting the child will be. to study the history and literature of antiquity, remembering those places where he already had time to go! Kids always listen with delight about adventures of ancient heroes and gods, with pleasure enter the role Theseus, walking through the Cretan labyrinth in search of a monster Minotaur, explore the ancient ruins.
2. Cretans are known for their good attitude to children: with babies here are always happy to chat or give a trinket, staff in hotels and restaurants also pays attention to the comfort of young visitors special attention. But why then is it rarely possible here see the children’s menu? Indeed, for many parents, this is one of most important parameters when choosing a resort. The fact is that in Crete Children are perceived as equal, and this also applies to food: they eat the same dishes as adults. This is not surprising, because Greek cuisine uses fresh fruits, vegetables and local cheeses, there are no particularly hot spices and sauces, preference It is given to low-calorie meat and useful sea fish. Besides, Crete is considered one of the most environmentally friendly agricultural regions of the country, therefore for the quality of products there is no need to worry.
3. The warm and dry climate of Crete is ideal for children’s activities. Summer the water in the sea warms up to an average of + 25 ° C, the nature here creates excellent conditions for strengthening immunity, and the risk of a cold or get sick with the minimum.

a photo: melipalace.com

Holidays with children in Crete: cons

1. Children’s entertainment in Crete is, but not so much as in other resorts. There is no large selection of thematic parks, attractions, zoos, etc., so if the main the holiday option is an abundance of children’s entertainment, then Crete is yours will not work.
2. Another thing that can be a hindrance is the lack regular flights, because only charters fly to the island.
3. Do not forget that for children traveling to Greece also need to make out Schengen.

Features travel to Crete with children of different age groups

Holidays in Crete with children up to a year

The baby will be fine where he feels good parents. Special conditions for the youngest children in hotels are not required – except that the presence of air conditioning and a cradle in the room. Crete weather is great for babies, but at the height of the season go on vacation, perhaps not worth it. For children on artificial feeding is better to take stock of the mixture (within the limits allowed by customs).

a photo: bgoperator.ru

Holidays in Crete with children 1-3 years

As you know, children at this age are very active: they are enjoy exploring the world around us, so the day spent on the beach with a bucket and sand tins, will be for them a real adventure. Despite the fact that the tour with kids up to 3 years is unlikely to please both parents and others on the island There are many other places where you can have fun and actively spend time. Listed below are some of them.

Cretan Aquarium

East of the capital of Crete Heraklion, near the village of Gouves one of Europe’s largest aquariums is located – CRETAquarium. This is exactly the place to be. to take the kids from year to three to show them all the beauty and diversity of the underwater world of the Mediterranean. Kids always with pleasure watching small bright fish and large predators who live in an aquarium, and for those who are tired, here is a cozy cafe. Buy souvenirs, books, CDs and bright booklets about the underwater life can be here in the company store. By the way, for children under 5 years of age admission is free.

Water Parks of Crete

In the aqua park AquaPlus, located between Heraklion and Hersonissos, there are many water attractions for the smallest. Children here enjoy playing in the nursery. playground, jumping on a trampoline and competing in air hockey. For children up 5 years do not need to pay. In the water park store you can buy everything essentials – towels, swimsuits, diving masks, and even take a family photo from a local photographer.

Water City’s largest water park in Crete located 20 minutes east of Heraklion, not far from Kokkini Hani. In this place you can be sure that being a child is great! Confirmation of this: two children’s pools with fountains, bridges, slides and outdoor games to choose from. Recover Kids can while sailing along the “lazy river” while enjoying unhurried flow of water and admiring the surrounding colors and fun. For children shorter than 90 cm, admission is free.

In Limnoupolis Waterpark children and their parents will be able, in addition to water entertainment, to stroll along the “cactus garden “, buy vending souvenirs or toys and eat in Cafe. In the children’s area there are two swimming pools: for older children and small “paddling pool”. Of course, there are slides and “lazy river”.

Crete’s only water park, located on the coast overlooking on the sea – Star Beach. Here in the family area, children up to three years will be able to frolic in the rides for the youngest and plenty of nakatatsya. Star Beach is located in the eastern part of the resort. Chersonissos.

a photo: stellapalace.gr

Lake kurna

Continuing the theme of water entertainment for kids, it is necessary to mention Lake Curna. This is the largest freshwater lake in Crete. located near the cities of Chania and Georgioupolis. Circle the lake is about 3.5 km away and there is everything necessary around it for a comfortable rest: rental stations catamarans and canoes, equipped areas where you can sunbathe, restaurants and children’s site It will be interesting to babies even just to feed the ducks or watch small fish in clear water.

Holidays in Crete with children 3-7 years

Children of preschool age, of course, will like everything. the above places: water parks will deliver them no less pleasure than kids up to 3, and a trip to the aquarium for sure arouse the child’s inquisitiveness and, perhaps, even craving for school subjects of natural science. It is worth paying attention that in Heraklion, Chania and Rethymnon have excellent playgrounds, where also recommend a peek. Some more leisure options for kids 3-7 years are listed below.

Chania Maritime Museum

In the maritime museum in Chania, children can get acquainted with the history navigation from ancient times to our time. Here you can see a copy of the Minoan vessel used by the ancestors of the Cretans three millennia ago, items related to navigation in Ancient Greece, the layout of the fishing boat of the time, as well more modern expositions dedicated, for example, to the invasion of island during world war two and modern fleet Greece

Boat trip to Chania

After a tour of the museum, it’s time to go to the sea! BUT This can be done during the hour and a half boat trip to the shores of a desert island. Throughout the tour guide will acquaint children and their parents with the history of Chania and the construction of its harbor And through the transparent bottom of the boat you can also watch Fish, which lure divers.

Excursions on the “train”

Fascinating trips to stylized road trains are one of the highlights of Crete. From several directions to parents with preschoolers are advised to choose an excursion to the traditional Cretan the village. The route of the train passes by picturesque hills and olive groves. Children will certainly be impressed by the change of scenery, because from the resort area they fall into a small village where life flows slowly and slowly. Tourists usually spend excursions to local production (for example, to the oil mill), familiar with traditional crafts – pottery, weaving, invite to cozy family cafes. Here, in small souvenir shops, you can purchase products of local economy and presents.

a photo: bgoperator.ru

Holidays in Crete with children over 7 years old

Parents with older children can already go on excursions. on local attractions: their children certainly with interest will listen to ancient legends and myths, walk through the ruins The palace of Knossos and the labyrinth of the Minotaur. A visit to the caves is also not will leave indifferent young researchers: children are especially impressive stalactites and stalagmites Dikteyskoy cave. In addition, in Crete There is an opportunity to acquaint schoolchildren with samples of architecture different eras and cultures – from Venetian fortresses to Islamic mosques.

Holidays in Crete with children will be pleasant and fun. an adventure for the whole family. Parents need only pick a good one. hotel, and the sun, sea and local entertainment will surely fall on soul of young tourists.