I was first tempted to rent a vacation home and a car to visit Crete and I was fortunate to come across Candia Campers' camper van offering:
1. Crete is way too big and mountainous to allow day trips over 60-100km in reasonable driving time
2. Free camping is tolerated almost everywhere
Candia Campers owns a small fleet of fully equipped camper vans ready for rental with full insurance, linen, pillows, towels, beach towels, outdoor table and chairs, toilet paper, kitchenware, 2 gas bottles with the wrench, a toolbox just in case, an awning, etc.
Gus is a kind host who takes care of his customers: he picked us up at the airport upon our arrival, gave us maps and recommendations of places to visit, supported us remotely whenever we texted him and drove me back to the bus station (15km) on a Sunday afternoon after I returned the van.
In a word, Gus knows his job and delivers a truly first class service so that you can focus on your vacation.
Fyi, we rented for 10 days and camped on these beaches: Plaka (north east), Myrtos, Agios Pavlos, Sougia, Elafonisi.
Driving in the mountains is not really more challenging with a van than with a car and as long as you behave and leave places clean, you will enjoy a truly unique experience.
We have always been warmly welcomed by the local people and made many encounters.