Maria and Manos' apartment was amazing! We were honored to be their first guests and we enjoyed two great weeks in July with our 3 kids. The apartment is very clean, spacious (three bedrooms with comfortable beds) and the Air Conditioning was present in all 3 bedrooms (modern, silent and efficient). The kitchen had everything we needed to cook and a good size fridge and freezer to keep our feta cheese, olives, wine etc. Talking about wine, Maria welcomed us with wine and muffins and on my name's day baked a delicious chocolate cake. The balcony is much bigger than expected and has a great view of the sea (among some unfinished buildings). We enjoyed the morning coffee there! The flat is located on a busy road but we already knew that before we booked it and we did not mind it since the location is perfect as far as the beach, restaurants, (super)markets and car rental places is concerned. Right next to the apartment there is a grocery store with very tasty organic fruit and vegetables and the possibility to buy water (6 bottles of 1.5 L for 1,50 euro). The traditional Cretan restaurant across the apartment, Mitatos Taverne has delicious food but is overpriced compared to other places and sometimes invites a singer who is quite loud (only happened 3 times in 2 weeks). Oh well, but, as I said, this is not an apartment for somebody who looks for a peaceful place. The location is great though. The beach is literally within 5 minutes walking. So, we enjoyed a lot of sunsets with the kids and we could go several times a day to the beach to avoid the hot midday sun. Iraklion is also not too far and can be reached by car, bus (buy your tickets at the store downstairs) or by walking for about an hour (20 minutes on a busy road and then a fantastic promenade). We had a wonderful holiday there and recommend you to also visit other places such as Knossos, the Archeological Museum in Iraklion with the best pieces of Knossos, Phaistos etc. In addition, the kids enjoyed the Natural History Museum in Iraklion with a seismic simulator and bones/ fossils dating back millions of years ago, the Sfendoni cave in Zoniana (extremely beautiful with differently colored lights - a fairy tale location), the Village museum Lychnostasis in Hersonissos etc.