Everything other travellers have written about Roula's place is true! Roula is a great host and you will feel what Cretan hospitality means! A historic mountain village home dating from the 1850ies, tastefully and respectfully renovated to today's standards while preserving the elements of yesteryear. Everything works perfectly. It is like a live-in museum and you get a feel for life at the feet of the White Mountains 50 or 100 years ago. Surrounded by an awe-inspiring mountainside in amphitheater form, you will hear the sounds of the mountain very clearly but never loud (birdsong, the bells of sheep or that of a little owl and other nightbirds). We spent entire days on the front terrace with great views into the valley, in the shade of the mulberry tree, working on our laptops and eating fresh mulberries in yoghurt; and the evenings in the back yard, watching the stars after dinner and listening to the sounds of the Cretan landscape. If you're into hiking, two very interesting trails start five walking minutes from Roula's place (bring proper gear!); others are a short car journey away. Follow Roula's guidance on hiking, eating places and other activities - she is extremely knowledgeable. If you take the scenic drive to the house up the Theriso gorge, watch out for the Rikounakis dairy on your right-hand side: excellent mountain cheese! Great food is to be had at the restaurant of Roula's aunt Maria, with sweeping views down to the north shore of the island. I've been a number of times on Crete and have stayed at great places but Roula's house is hard to beat! I hope to come again soon...