Gramvoussa from Rethymnon

This cruise has everything – great scenery, beach time and a helping of medieval history. Everything starts at Kastelli on Crete's northwest coast, where a boat awaits to carry you around the Gramvoussa peninsula. You'll sail past steep cliffs and caves before docking at Gramvoussa Island. Once a pirate hideout, this massive chunk of rock is crowned by a half-ruined Venetian castle. Here, you can stay sunbathing on deck, take a swim or trek up to the castle to drink in the views. After that, your boat will make its way back to the peninsula and Tigani. Lapped by the shallow Balos Lagoon, it's a beach that looks like something from the Caribbean. Laze on the white sands, snap photos of the views or splash about in the warm water – it's really shallow and stays knee-deep for a long way out.