DOMES ZEEN CRETE WITH CHILDREN
Crete is one of the Germans’ favorite holiday destinations. The best time to travel to Crete is from July to September. We chose mid-October as our travel time, and I highly recommend this timing. It was around 30 degrees Celsius almost every day, and even in the evenings, all you needed was a light sweater. Plus, you're spared the crowds of tourists and can find a nice spot to lounge in every bay.
Why we loved the Domes Zeen in Crete
The Domes Zeen gave us a child-friendly welcome from the very beginning! A couch was made up as a bed for Levi, a child-proof barrier was installed around the in-room pool, and free cookies and muffins were available whenever you wanted. There's also a kids' club, a dedicated children's menu in the restaurant, and water toys available at all times for the pool and beach! We actually spent 5 of the 7 days of this all-inclusive package just at the hotel. We rented a car for 2 days and explored the island a bit. You should definitely book a rental car online and compare prices. Renting through the hotel would have been twice as expensive!
Day trip 1: Elafonisi Beach and Greek mountain villages
Our first excursion took us from north to south through the high mountain villages of Crete. Mountain villages are, in my opinion, the best thing about Greece. Here you can experience the true charm of the country and also get the best food. A little tip: it's best to eat where the menu is only available in Greek. These are the real tavernas. We visited the Tavern Topo and Elia in Topolia After about 1.5 hours from Chania you reach the Elafonisi Beach. And it's true: The beach really is pink! I find this phenomenon simply breathtakingly beautiful. It's actually tiny particles of red shells that color the sand pink. You can also enjoy stand-up paddling in the lagoon.
Day trip 2: Balos Lagoon and Chania Town
There are two ways to visit the lagoon: by ferry, or by car, followed by a steep 30-minute descent into the lagoon. I would recommend the footpath to anyone who feels somewhat confident about the walk. The view is breathtaking the entire way! The boat lands directly in the lagoon. Plus, you'll be in the company of about 200 passengers, all of whom throw in their towels at the same time. The lagoon itself is very shallow, making it ideal for children to splash around in.
Chania by night
An evening in Chania town is, of course, also an absolute must. In addition to the beautiful Venetian harbor, Chania has a truly magnificent old town, with all sorts of shops where you can find not only the usual tourist items (like the obligatory penis bottle opener), but also some truly beautiful souvenirs. Plus, you'll never know which of the lovely tavernas to choose for dinner. From traditional to modern, and everything in between, there's something for everyone!
Unfortunately, Levi had to go to a Greek hospital
For the first time on this holiday we unfortunately also had a Illness with Levi. Unfortunately, he had a cough called croup, and we had to take him to a Greek doctor. I was more than surprised by the quality of the medical care there. We've never been examined so thoroughly in Germany. We paid only €100 for two medical examinations, including an inhalation treatment, and we immediately got the money back from our health insurance here in Germany.
TRAVEL BUDGET
The Domes Zeen is not a bargain hotel. Our package tour cost a total of €2,300 for three people, including breakfast. Levi was 2.5 years old on this trip, so he paid full price. (On top of that, there are the costs for the rental car and other food.) A little trick: The Domes Zeen offers free fruit and cake at the reception desk at lunchtime. That was usually enough for us as a small lunch.