Achlada – Mourtzanakis Residence, Crete

Roughly a 30-minute drive from Heraklion, Crete, lies the hamlet of Achlada, where the family-run Mourtzanakis Eco-Hotel is located. Perched between the mountains and sea (the closest beach is a 10-minute drive), this estate is a complex of studio apartments and villas, with a wide range of activities on offer such as organised hikes, olive picking, workshops on local herbs and plants and cooking seminars. If after all that you long for a refreshing dip, head for the pool and jacuzzi.