Crete with a 10 and 12 year old :)

[Need2knowbasis]

Single mum 2 kids. I've never been to Greece or travelled with them much, so this is a big deal for us. 7 nights.

The kids are really into mythology, so hoping to get them to Knossos, the cave that is the birthplace of Zeus and perhaps a hike/ monastery. That kind of thing. They also love beach and water park.

So looking for a package destination that would make all that easy OR can you recommend an area / hotel?

Also I'm a nervous traveller and I've never driven on the other side of the road, or abroad at all. How stressful is it? Or can you recommend somewhere with good transport links or tours so I don't have to face my fears!

We are very open minded, it doesn't have to be a package, though the convenience helps. But somewhere different & special would be great.

Thank you!

Hi OP, we stayed in the Grecotel Creta Palace. Really liked the food.

We hired a car from the hire company in the hotel and went to Knossos and the caves that were, reputed, to be the birthplace of Talos. Knossos was a journey in excess of an hour but roads / driving was easy enough.

If you want to visit Knossos, I would pick a resort close to Heraklion airport, so you will be closer to Knossos. We stayed at Nana Beach AI hotel, which was really good, but has been rebranded Nana Golden Beach and increased in price too. I would also recommend a trip to Spinalonga which was one of the last European leper colonies. If you go on a package they will all run trips by coach to all the main sites, so you won't have to drive.

If your kids like mythology and I assume ancient Greece then you want to stay fairly central. I'd recommend Georgopouli. I would recommend eating out locally as there's a good number of tavernas there. It's also on the bus route so you can get the bus to Knossos. I wouldn't drive in Greece, even if I could, because the traffic is very undisciplined.

Mitsis Cretan Village has a whole range of excursions you can book www.mitsis.com/en/concierge/cretan-village/1227

Crete has a great local bus service covering the island and very cheap so you wouldn't have to drive at all.

I was in Knossos last century(!) but I'm sure there are day tours to there.

Enjoy! I love Crete, it's a magical place and the locals are lovely and friendly.

You may find a local who would show you around possibly cheaper than hiring a car? Look on Youtube for info on driving it different countries we found it very useful