Paddle around Crete on a family vacation, find the best beaches and more

The family that paddles together skedaddles together ... or something like that. The Northwest Passage offers a trip embracing that sentiment with its Family Crete Kayaking & Hiking tour. This is an eight-day/seven-night trip that skirts Greece's largest island by water and is suitable for novice to experienced paddlers, and kids can be as young as 7. While there's the opportunity for plenty of kayaking each day, other activities include hiking, swimming, snorkeling and even a little cliff jumping. Van support is available for those times when you've had enough kayaking. The kayaks _ they have singles and doubles _ are good for getting into lots of charming little villages, including Loutro, accessible only by water or on foot. Lodging is in inns and hotels, and evenings offer the chance to sample lots of Greek delicacies in the local tavernas. For 2018, this trip is offered with June 12 or 20 departures, and if those don't work out it's possible to book a custom trip. The Northwest Passage also has variations of this trip that aren't strictly for families, including a yoga, kayaking and hiking retreat. Cost of the family trip is $2,995 per person, double occupancy, with kids under 18 paying $2,295. Info: 847-256-4409, http://tinyurl.com/y7j8v44u