SINGAPORE — With as many islands as there are fish in the sea (they’re said to number anything from 1,200 to 6,000), you’ll have the happy problem of picking which gorgeous, sun-soaked isle to visit when in Greece. But Crete, the country’s largest, might just tick all the right boxes. It boasts its own history and culture, picturesque villages, fantastic cuisine and, of course, stunning beaches you won’t be able to get enough of. SERENE LIM

Sunny side up at Chania’s beaches

It’s impossible to select the best of Crete’s 450 beaches as all offer something different. But those at the Chania district, west of the isle, rank among the most beautiful. Some of the favourites are Elafonisi (an oblong-shaped beach with pinkish sand that looks like it’s part of a separate island), Aspri Limni (a slightly inaccessible but gorgeous lake-like beach) and Balos (a splendid spot with emerald waters). Dive right in!

Food tasting at Heraklion

The largest city in Crete is probably the best place to sample the widest variety of Cretan cuisine thanks to the diverse culinary scene. Go to Eleftherias Square and Lion Square which are dotted with numerous cafes and restaurants, and serve some of the yummiest bougatsa (a thin flaky pastry filled with cheese or sweet cream) you’ll ever taste. Be sure to secure reservations at Kounies (Sofokli Venizelou 19) for its barbecued meats, and Ippokambos (Sofokli Venizelou 3) to feast on sumptuous fresh seafood.

Cultural studies in Rethymnon

Once conquered by the Venetians and the Turks, Rethymnon retains much from that historical period as seen in buildings such as the Fortezza and the Venetian Harbour in the atmospheric Old Town. Architecture aside, you could also take a day trip to St Anthony’s Gorge and the Monastery of Arkadi where Cretans fought for liberation against Turkish occupiers in 1866.