This was truly the five-star dream airbnb experience everyone is looking for. Stella and especially her father Manolis went above and beyond our expectations with their hospitality and generosity.
First, they offered to pick up my sister and me at the airport in Heraklion but since we had a rental car we made our way to Tylissos on our own which was quite easy with navigation. When we arrived Stella and Manolis welcomed us and showed us the apartment which is part of the traditional stone house he built himself. It really was as beautiful and charming as the pictures suggest and very clean and comfortable to stay in with air conditioning and all necessary appliances at hand. Over the course of our stay we were also provided with homegrown foods like olives, grapes and figs and homemade raki by Manolis himself which we enjoyed out one the balcony in the sun with a beautiful view of Crete's countryside.
However, Manolis' hospitality did not end there and he invited us twice to eat the most delicious local foods in the taverns of the neighboring village Moni. The people there were all so generous and kind to us and it left us with some very special memories which we will never forget. I don't think we would have had an experience as special as this one anywhere else and I can only advise anyone who gets the chance to stay with Manolis in Tylissos as well.
Since we had the rental car it was also the perfect location to start from to explore different sights like the Knossos Palace or the Matala beach and really see the island itself. We really had the best time ever traveling around like this and we would love to come back one day.
Thank you again to Stella and Manolis for your kindness and for making this holiday such an incredible experience!
Greetings from Lisa & Leonie