We landed in Crete with few plans and open minds. That first evening, we met Antonis (happy to share his number) – a local from Chania who ended up shaping our whole trip. The tour was supposed to be in a group, but no one else joined, so we had him all to ourselves. He guided us through the city’s history, a secret sunset viewpoint and a seasonal dinner at a fine restaurant. By the end of the night, we’d scrapped our plans and decided to follow his recommendations instead.

Crete is huge, so you have to choose wisely. Chania stole our hearts – full of character and traditional buildings – while the villages outside felt less distinctive. Our favourite day? Hiking the quiet Sarakino trail to Zoubre, a tiny taverna in the mountains serving the best lamb chops we’ve ever had (and I’m pescatarian). Skip Samaria Gorge – this felt like our own secret path.

We also fell in love with a Greek salad. Yes, really. At Astrea Gardens in Chania, it somehow became the highlight of our trip. Rent a car to explore, and avoid New Chania (a bit chaotic and surprisingly polluted).

But all in all, Crete reminded us: when you listen to locals and let go of rigid plans, the best kind of adventure begins.