From Knossos to Spinalonga

Our paradisiacal Greek summer retreat takes very good care indeed of its younger guests, with a veritable wealth of activities, experiences and spaces for children – from babies and toddlers to teenagers.

Spaces purpose-built for kids, both outdoors and indoors, speak to their spirit of adventure and discovery as they dive into safe plunge pools, explore ancient myths, make new friends, learn about everything from the universe to recycling and beyond, play on our private sandy beach…

Meanwhile, the open-air eco-playground grants children their wishes for enjoyment, mirth and action. For sports lovers, active escapades on offer include a climbing wall, skate and BMX park, team games, 5×5 football, tennis academy and much more.

All this takes place under the watchful eye and expert consultation of Montessori-following, Ofsted-approved multilingual experts. There are even designated spaces for parents to sit back and watch the eyes of their little ones light up with excitement with the sheer range of things to do, learn and play with.

Treat your children to the best summer of their lives.

Follow the unmistakable smell of the charcoal grill to our open-air barbeque evenings, where the meat is fresher than fresh, the music and dance Cretan, and everyone cheerful. Mouth-watering cuts of local meat are grilled on an open fire, inviting everyone to join in and become part of one happy family.

Such is the popularity of our BBQ evenings that we’ve added a new flavour to the rotation: We also organise fish barbeques now, using freshly caught, local fish and seafood that will blow you away.

In fact, our barbeque nights have also been inspired by local tradition that hails back to millennia ago, since the Minoans barbequed meat using herbs and condiments on this land since the dawn of history – but if you’re interested in ancient food traditions and flavours, you may want to look into our Minoan cooking experience, too.

BBQ nights at Domes of Elounda treat you to the simple pleasure and irresistible combination of good food and good company – enjoyed alfresco, in true Cretan tradition.

Join us for a feast!

Crete boasts one of the oldest civilisations in history. From his palace at nearby Knossos, King Minos gave his name to the Minoans, who many dub the culture that gave birth to Europe and the West at large, leaving behind impressive monuments, elegant craftsmanship in the form of mosaics and pottery, and numerous ancient myths that still captivate our children in this corner of the world.

That was over 4,000 years ago. To add even more local flair to your Domes retreat, the Domes of Elounda team have asked archaeologist-anthropologist Dr Jerolyn E. Morrison to help us look into the authentic culinary traditions of Ancient Minoans, who lived pretty much where you are sitting right now, in the ancient city of Olous.

The result is an impressive, immersive experience that combines history with the culinary arts and anthropology in a unique, organic way.
Our Minoan cooking session makes use of Minoan-style pots and pans to cook with pure, local ingredients over a hearth, following recipes that hark back millennia. You’ll be taking in the aromas as you find out more about this exciting culture, before you taste the results: alluring flavours that capture the blessed land of Crete and the ingenuity of those who lived on it so long ago.

Bite into a genuine Cretan tradition with our exclusive Minoan food experience!

The tradition of olive oil on the sunny island of Crete is so ancient that there are olive groves so old dotted around the island that they have been officially declared natural and historic monuments.

From bright salads to gorgeous pies and pastries, Olive oil is at the very heart of Cretan and Mediterranean cuisine – and for good reason too, thanks to its extraordinary antioxidant and nutritional properties. But it’s Crete itself that produces what is perhaps the best olive oil in the world, an extra-virgin amber liquid distilled using traditional methods that locals like to compare to liquid gold.

Whether you’re already an aficionado of olive oil or just curious, a curated olive oil tasting courtesy of the experts selected by the Domes of Elounda team will walk you through the surprising range of varieties of olives and olive oil this blessed land produces.

You’ll be tasting the purest fruit of Crete, leaving with newfound knowledge and understanding of what olive oil can do for your health and your cooking – and useful tips on how to select the best quality olive oil, too.

What’s more, you’ll also taste the difference top-quality olive oil makes as you sample bright flavours in a fantastic meal cooked just for you.

Become privy to the best-kept secrets of liquid gold.