Villa specialist Villa Select has expanded into Crete for the first time with a collection of nine private-pool properties in the north of the island.

The villas can be found in the resorts of Rethymnon, Hersonissos, Prines, Armeni and Elounda.

The Crete collection is available for agents to book now, for stays from April until the end of October.

Price start from £657 per week for accommodation-only at Villa Semeli, Rethymnon.

Becci Aldridge, Villa Select general manager, said the new properties range from family boltholes near the beach to picturesque countryside villas.

“We plan to add further Crete properties in the coming months and our destination experts have been working hard to get to know the properties and resorts first hand – an invaluable resource for both customers and agents who may not be entirely familiar with the destination themselves,” she said.

Villa Select can also arrange flights and car hire.

A seven-night holiday at the Joy of The Sea villa (pictured) in Elounda costs £1,188 per week, accommodation only, based on six sharing.