I love my Summer holidays, I’ve worked hard all year so by the time July comes I’m ready for some relaxing in the sunshine. This year there were a couple of destinations I wanted to visit so it was tricky narrowing it down and picking our holiday. Finally we decided on the Greek islands and found an amazing looking resort in Crete.
We flew with Thompson airlines to Heraklion on the beautiful north coast of the island and after a short 15 minutes drive from the airport we reached the hotel complex. I pre-booked private taxi transfers this year and I would highly recommend doing so as most package holidays have you on a hot stuffy coach going from hotel to hotel dropping off holiday makers when all you want to do is get straight to your complex.
The Aldemar Royal Mare is a 5 star luxury resort on the glorious island of Crete . When we arrived in the afternoon heat the first thing I appreciated at the hotel was the vast cool marble and dark wood reception hall. We were greeted with a fresh cold glass of home-made lemonade and the reception team were all so welcoming and helpful.
Hanging from the ceiling was an epic glass chandelier and across the lobby area was a full wall of glass doors showing off the most amazing views of the sea. We booked a private VIP bungalow which was decorated in cool turquoise tones and had French doors leading directly onto our own patio and private pool area, I was in heaven.
The weeks we were there the temperatures hit 39 degrees and being able to come inside to your own air-conditioned room anytime during the day was so convenient.
The amazing chefs at The Aldemar Royal Mare are the finest, there are several A La Carte restaurants on site and we had breakfast in one of them each morning as part of our all-inclusive package. The food choices were so difficult as there was every imaginable breakfast option on offer.
All the buildings and bungalow blocks at The Aldemar Royal Mere were crisp whitewashed or a turquoise blue colour to match the sea. It has its own private beach and beautiful decked seafront beach bar and restaurant where you can grab a drink and sit on the cosy sofas and listen to the waves crashing onto the shore.
I brought with me two new Summer dresses, I wanted a floral, floaty, feminine style that wasn’t too figure hugging as I knew it was going to be hot at night and I’m the kind of person that hates to feel sticky and uncomfortable in my clothes. This stunning delicate pink dress from New Look has thin straps and frills that fall off the shoulder, I would say its midi length and looked great with my pink lace up heeled sandals from Dune.
The second dress I ordered online from Uttam Boutique and is probably my favourite outfit I wore on holiday. I did have to have under the arms taken in a little bit ( busty girl issues) but I loved the neckline and swishy full skirt on it.
No holiday is complete for me without a trip to the hotel spa and the award winning Thalion Spa was out of this world. We did get some treatments included in our package, we had the Aqua therapy and hydro baths, a kind of mineral salt pool with various jets to pummel the body then we were led into a hydro jacuzzi bath for 20 minutes filled with essential oils. Finally we were treated to a lovely relaxing massage, of course we ended up going back a couple of times again for a hammam scrub and mud treatment that left my skin beautifully soft and ready for my tan.
In the evenings after our meal we headed to the cocktail bar and lounge just outside the main reception. Here you are shown to a table were a small oil lap is lit for you and you are offered a selection of nuts and snacks, I must admit on more than one evening we did sample one too many of the delicious cocktails whilst listening and dancing to the various live music playing each night.
All in all we had the most amazing time in Greece and will definitely be going back to The Aldemar Royal Mare the whole experience from food to staff to facilities was first class! 
Thank you for reading I hope you’ve enjoyed,
Much Love
Caroline xx
