Heraklion and Athens are vastly different cities. The vibe here in Crete’s capital city is very laid back, slower paced and, overall, a welcome change from the crowded, tourist-trap lined streets of Athens. Don’t get me wrong, I’d revisit Athens in a heartbeat. I loved it. But, I loved it in a similar way as I love New York – there’s an energy and vibrancy there. Heraklion, while still very much a metropolitan city, has a whole different feel.
We were able to rest and reset at our hotel. Speaking of which, I need to retract my earlier mocking of the word “resort” in Ethereal White Resort’s name. I had the chance to experience the resort-ness of this property by spending a good amount of time at the rooftop pool and then booking a facial in their spa. The spa (located in the lowest level), was bliss. I chose an aloe vera treatment that was recommended for dry (and mature 🙄) skin. Holy cow. I nearly fell asleep. Afterwards, I was ready to check out and go back to the room. Nope. I was told to “Lay there and relax for a few minutes, I will come and get you.” Ok. Again, almost asleep. The esthetician then led me to another room in the spa with a jacuzzi, therapeutic lap pool and “relaxing area” where she served me green tea and some Greek version of trail mix. This place gets better and better.
Amelia and I decided to spend the rest of the afternoon exploring our surroundings in Heraklion including their historic center, harbor and sampling Cretan food. Nowhere was crowded, no place was rushed…all in all, an A+ outing that ended with a bite at a local restaurant called Petousis. When we asked for the check, our Hank Azaria look-alike server said, “No no, first we clear allll this then you have special dessert and Raki on the house.” Um, ok. The dessert was a traditional Cretan yogurt/pudding with chocolate alongside this patty-like thing that tasted kind of like soggy Shredded Wheat and Nature Valley had a baby. Then came the Raki. OPA!
Alyventures 