Giorgos’s place was amazing. We only stayed for a couple of nights in between seeing some of Crete’s cities but it was the best place we stayed and I wish we had stayed longer. Rokka is a beautiful small village, away from the usual tourist resorts but it does not take long to drive to the main highway.
When we arrived Giorgos invited us for lunch (and of corse raki) with his family at his house a short distance from the apartment. This was a beautiful meal of traditional Crete food.
The original building is 500 years old and belonged to Giorgos’ grandmother. The inside is beautifully restored with a simple modern kitchen and bathroom and a large, unique bedroom with interesting stonework. We were a family with children 6 & 8. The large room was perfect with a double and two single beds. The outside terrace is even more beautiful than the picture, it is shared with the neighbouring apartment of Giorgos’ Aunt. The terrace is high but the wall and fence are a good height and well built. It might not be suitable for small children who climb a lot but our children were safe there.
You need a car to visit Rokka the drive up to the apartment is steep but a very new road. There are a couple of nice tavernas a couple of km away.
Although Rokka is too small to be in guidebooks there is a small archeological site right behind the apartment and a beautiful 2km gorge walk starting in the village. They may not be as big as the more famous sites but you have them all to yourself. It is so peaceful.
Driving to Falasarna beach is 45 minutes, Elofonisi is 1 1/4 hours and the ferry for Balos is nearby.
Such a great way to see Crete, I cannot recommend it enough.