Sitting between Asia, Africa and Europe, Crete is located around 200 miles south of mainland Greece. With an area of about 3,300 square miles, Crete is one of the largest islands in the Mediterranean.

The best area to base yourself in, depending on what you're looking for—from reemerging viticulture that was almost lost forever to family-friendly rentals stacked with amenities.

Driving in Crete, however, can be challenging depending on where you are. In the major cities along the northern coast, there are usually road signs in Greek and English. However when visiting ...