I write this to you from the island of Crete, where the beaches are two-thirds empty, the hotels less than half full and some restaurants all but deserted. For us, it’s a July holiday paradise. Turn up at any beach, any time of day and have your pick of the best spot, visit local points of interest and there’s no need to blink up through the mists of lost sleep at the crack of dawn to avoid the crowds – there aren’t any.