Crete

Crete is Greece’s largest island, and its size means it can genuinely offer everything: the Minoan palace at Knossos, one of Europe’s earliest civilisations, sits not far from Heraklion’s lively streets, while the south coast and mountain villages feel a world apart. Zeus is said to have been born in a cave here, which gives some sense of how deep the island’s mythology runs. Few Greek islands support a fortnight’s stay without repeating yourself, but Crete manages it easily.