(Psaromilingon Street, Heraklion Town. Tel. ) Part of a Greek chain of fast-food restaurants offering tasty snacks; hamburgers, fries, pitta wraps and salads, among other dishes.

  (Kitroplateia Beach, Agios Nikolaos. Tel. 284 102 4610) On the first floor of a beautifully renovated neoclassical building. Eat indoors in swish surroundings or outdoors on the large balcony overlooking the beach. Traditional Greek recipes are given a new twist with added spice and flavour.

  (Katehaki Square, Old Harbour, Chania. Tel. 282 105 5600) An Italian restaurant serving the best pizzas and pastas in town. It also has a range of tasty starters and salads. Fine wines and good service complete an excellent dining experience.

  (4 Epimenidou, Rethymnon Town. Tel. 283 105 6634) A 700-year-old Venetian manor house in the heart of the old town of Rethymnon. Enjoy creative Cretan and national dishes at this renowned restaurant. The wine cellar boasts more than 150 labels including Greek and international wines.

  (12 Skoufon Street, Old Harbour, Chania. Tel. 282 109 6797) An open-air bar within the walls of a Venetian ruin that was once a synagogue. A trendy lounge bar with quiet music and a romantic atmosphere.

  (Metropolis Square, Halidon Street, Chania. Tel. 282 104 1442) Popular bar featuring live pop and Greek music at the weekend.

  (Beach Road, Malia. Tel. 289 703 1140 ) In the heart of Malia's main nightlife area, this busy club plays a varied music range including R 'n' B, hip-hop and club classics. Popular with a young crowd.

In Chania Town take a stroll down 'Leather Lane' (Skridlof Street) for boots, shoes, belts, handbags and other leather bargains.

May Day is a public holiday in Crete. Locals drive into the mountains and countryside to pick bunches of wild flowers and enjoy an alfresco lunch. Mountain roads and tavernas are very busy, so save your drive for another, quieter day.

The small lake in the centre of Agios Nikolaos is the pretty town's main landmark. Cafés and tavernas line the water's edge.

The Battle of Crete anniversary commemorations are held in towns and villages across the island from 18-22 May. The World War II battle took place in 1941 when Germany launched an airborne invasion. The Souda Bay memorial service, organised by the British Embassy, is on 24 May.

 – Take a hike down the famous Samaria Gorge. Enjoy the amazing scenery and profusion of beautiful wild flowers in full bloom this month. Situated in south-west Crete, Samaria is one of the longest gorges in Europe at 16 kilometres. Walking boots, strong shoes or trainers, plus sunscreen and a supply of water are all a must.

Bunches of May Day flowers, picked and hung in the doorways of homes on 1 May, are left in place—the dried bunches can still be seen hanging there months later.