The October school holidays are an ideal time to explore Southern Europe — the weather is usually still warm without the summer heat, crowds are manageable, and many destinations are just a short flight away from where we live. We considered several options, but in the end, we chose the island of Crete. Its rich history, vibrant culture, delicious food, and stunning natural landscapes made it an irresistible choice.
Our holiday actually began a day early, on October 24th. We wanted to reach Crete as quickly as possible, avoiding long layovers. From our closest airport, Nice Côte d’Azur, there were no direct flights to Crete, and taking connecting flights would have meant spending the entire day traveling and waiting at airports. Instead, we drove about three and a half hours to Milan Malpensa, from where there was a convenient and very affordable direct EasyJet flight to Heraklion. It didn’t take long to book those tickets!
The flight to Heraklion left at 6 a.m., so we decided to stay near Malpensa the night before to ensure a decent night’s sleep. We opted for the MO.OM Hotel, just ten minutes from the airport. Our Garden Family Junior Suite was spread over two levels: the ground floor had a sitting room with a sofa bed — large enough for our 9- and 11-year-olds — and a modern bathroom with a big rainfall shower. The mezzanine housed the double bed. The hotel was reasonably priced, within walking distance of several restaurants, and we tried a nearby place called Rosso, which did not disappoint. We would definitely stay here again when flying from Milan Malpensa.
In front of the Rosso restaurant after a lovely meal
The two-and-a-half-hour flight from Milan to Heraklion ended with a bumpy crosswind landing, and we were greeted by cool, windy weather — not quite the sunny Indian-summer conditions we had hoped for. After picking up our rental car from Europcar, we began the half-hour drive to Anissaras Beach, where our hotel was located. Fortunately, the gloomy weather only lasted the first day; sunshine greeted us for the rest of our holiday.
Wanting mostly to relax and have everything at our fingertips, we chose the all-inclusive Mitsis Laguna Resort & Spa. This trip was extra special as we were joined by my sister’s family, who had arrived a day earlier, bringing our group to a lively ten — four adults and six children.
The hotel was beautifully designed in Venetian style, with immaculately kept grounds, multiple swimming pools, and a location just across the road from the beach. The stretch of sand right by the hotel was a bit smaller, but we loved walking along the beach toward the nearest village. Every day, the kids discovered something new — crabs, fish, and all sorts of little treasures — making the beach an endless source of fascination and fun.
View from our room
The beach near the hotel
We had reserved a sea-view family bungalow, which was divided into two sections: a double bedroom for the adults and a twin room for the kids, complete with a small balcony overlooking the sea. It was perfectly suited for our family of four (kids aged 9 and 11). The rooms were beautifully decorated, featured two TVs, and had a minibar that was restocked daily. Service was excellent, with a thorough cleaning in the morning and a turndown service in the evening.
Other pools
The hotel offered a main buffet restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as several specialty restaurants. We managed to try them all. Our favorite was by far the Italian restaurant, where a pizza oven turned out fresh, delicious pizzas, and the pastas and meats were equally delightful. The Cretan restaurant was also very good, showcasing local flavors, while the Mexican and Asian restaurants were decent but nothing to write home about — perfectly fine, but rather average.
The main buffet was impressive, with a wide variety of dishes that changed slightly each day, including many local specialties. The kids were particularly thrilled by the Creperie cafeteria by the main pool, where they could indulge in endless crepes, waffles, and Carte d’Or ice cream.
Cocktails at the main bar were delicious, but our personal favorite spot was the adults-only Champagne Bar, offering expertly crafted drinks and a relaxed, elegant atmosphere — the perfect place to unwind after a busy day.
Every evening, the hotel offered a mini disco for the kids, followed by entertaining shows featuring magicians, comedians, and acrobats. Meanwhile, the main bar came alive with live music, alternating between international pop and rock, and local Greek tunes on different nights.
Although the hotel was fantastic and we could easily have spent all our days relaxing there, we wanted to explore Crete a bit more. Knowing that Knossos, the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on the island — often called Europe’s oldest city — was only a short drive away, we decided to visit. Walking through the ancient palace complex, which dates back as far as 1900 BC, was truly awe-inspiring. The kids got a hands-on history lesson, wandering among the ruins and imagining life in a civilization thousands of years ago.
We also visited the charming coastal town of Agios Nikolaus, enjoying a leisurely walk through its picturesque streets. The town is dotted with lovely local tavernas and trendy bars, but after being so well-fed at our hotel, a simple stroll through the old town was enough for us to soak in the atmosphere.
Our holiday in Crete, surrounded by the people we love, was all we needed to recharge our batteries before winter. While we usually enjoy wandering and exploring, sometimes there’s nothing better than the luxury and convenience of an all-inclusive resort — relaxing by the pool, sampling delicious food, and enjoying fun activities with the kids.
Au revoir, Crete… until next time.
Molto bello.
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