A bicycle trip to the Gramvoussa Peninsula will ensure that your vacation in Crete is unforgettable. Simply put, Gramvoussa is one of the most beautiful spots in all of Crete, if not Greece itself. We'll pedal at a leisurely pace up the peninsula's eastern flank along a dirt road cut into huge rocks covered with oregano, thyme and wild flowers. Our route hugs the sea, ascending moderately until we reach the tip, Cape Tigani, where the staggering views cause you to pause.

At the top of this promontory, we'll leave our bikes and hike down the stone path to Balos Beach whose white sand and emerald waters require us to lazily linger for a spell. Remnants of a Venetian castle built in 1579 are visible from the beach; the Gramvoussa fortress was one of three in Crete that the Venetians were allowed to occupy during Turkish rule.

By noon, we'll be craving a good Greek lunch, but Gramvoussa has no tavernas or hotels, so it’s time to retreat from the peninsula. Cruising easily down the dirt road, we cycle to Falassarna, the most western village in Crete. This ancient seaside settlement lies only 16 kilometers from Xania, but it might as well be 1600 kilometers due to the remote and serene feel of the village. After a hearty lunch at a fresh fish taverna, there are 6th century BC ruins to examine, having a stone throne, protective wall, old harbor and four clay baths. Falassarna has three exquisite beaches to play in.

The road to our final destination, Kastelli, is flat for an easy home stretch. In your final pedaling moments, you may find yourself mentally writing postcards to friends back home, "Life can't get any better than a day spent bicycling to Gramvoussa and Falassarna".