Days out in Crete with toddler and Grandma (staying near Hersonissos)

[PrinnyPree]

Hi everyone just booked a holiday mid May at Creta Maris, it's an all inclusive but I get a bit stir crazy staying in one spot and I'd like to plan a couple of days out/excursions to break up the week.

Anybody got any tips for nice days out/towns to visit in the area? Thinking of Knossos one day but anywhere else? We'll have a 3 year old and a 70+ year old in tow so a hike down a gorge is probably out.

Thankyou _

You’re near two very good aquariums: CretAquarium and Aquaworld Aquarium & Reptile Rescue.

Elounda has a visible sunken village, and wrapped in myth.
Zeus was said to hide in a cave in the mountains.
Spinalonga, small island, is a fascinating ex-leper colony. Short boat ride.
Gorge walks would be too tricky with a 3 year old I think, and possibly a bit tricky for 70+ unless they are very active (I did a couple of gorge walks, 20+ years ago, and scrambling over massive boulders the size of a regular garden shed, and schepling along narrow paths with 20ft drops is not for the faint hearted!) I don't think I'd attempt them now to be honest (admittedly my sense of balance isn't as good as it was!).
There are some lovely mountain walks, and some lovely swimming coves, although mid-may the sea might be a bit on the chilly side!
Agios Nikolaos has some nice eating places on the lagoon.
Hiring a car will mean you have much more freedom, just take care when driving the mountain roads!

The old town of Hersonissos is nice. Take a boat trip from Elounda to Spina Longa and have lunch at Elounda harbour.

Ah thanks for your replies those are brilliant suggestions thankyou so much! _ I'll show my Mum!

Read ‘The Island’ before you go then visit Spinalonga!