Because of the heat we chose to move inland and uphill, back towards the north coast. We were a bit aimless in terms of where next given the totally crazy weather, leading us to two very different types of accommodation.

First up Elia traditional hotel. 10km inland from the north coast this hotel has maybe 10 rooms and was set in an olive grove on a hillside with stunning views of the closest beach.

You arrive at a place like this – no playground, a simple swimming pool, hot, dusty. And you wonder how you will entertain a 5 year old for 2 nights.

You leave wondering how you will ever find a hotel as good as this one. For us, the brilliance came from the combination of a gorgeous rural setting with cicadas and stars, superb hospitality from Efi and team, gorgeous meals served on a terrace with the best views, a communal feel where all the guests interact as much (or as little) as they would like, and then some fairy dust sprinkles of 4 two month old kittens that James adored (note they did not feel the same).

Aside from the hotel we were in a pretty cool part of the island and headed one morning to Deliana Gorge. On route we took our little 1 litre car cross country. John had it all in hand and I learned to choose the bigger roads when map reading in the future.

To steady my nerves we did a little wine tasting on the way back. It was surprisingly tasty!

And so from our country retreat we headed east along the coast to Panormo. It gets a good write up in the Lonely Planet, though they didn’t mention our hotel – a rare trip to an all inclusive. We’ve been to a few in our time and enjoyed them lots. We’ve met good friends at places like this including Natalya and Shane in Mauritius 😘. That said it’s not our usual environment…less so in the middle of summer holidays!

Speaking of friends – we met Erin, Alex, Chloe and Madeline for an all too brief 24 hours whilst at the hotel. Chloe and Madeline are 6 and 4 respectively and between them and James much mischief was had. Just as we were about to leave the hotel the kids went for a little wander around the pool. We headed out to check on them and found them fully clothed, chest deep in the kiddies pool…bad parents 😆.

And so I write this blog from our balcony sun lounger drinking minibar wine, wondering if I could possibly be hungry enough to contemplate breakfast tomorrow. I’ll put my big girl pants on and manage a pancake or two and then be relieved to leave and head further east. But I will be forever grateful for the precious hours spent on the sun lounger whilst James was at kids club. Even if we paid for it dearly with our daily trips to the water slides!!!