8Crete, Greece
Greece’s largest island is one of the country’s warmest, with mild winters and plenty of sunshine even in February. Crete’s southern coast often reaches 20°C when much of Europe is bundled up in coats.
You can stroll through Venetian harbors in Chania and Rethymno, explore ancient ruins at Knossos, or enjoy a long seaside lunch in Loutro while waves lap at your feet. The pace is slow, the food is soulful, and the light is dazzling—a reminder that winter doesn’t have to mean cold.
