Blue Paradise is an enchanted place hosted by enchanting owners. With communication second to none, Christina reached out to me before my arrival and helped me with things to do in the area. I was welcomed by Christina and her husband Michelis, who spent time going over a map with me and recommended a nearby mountain village which was one of the highlights of my month long stay in Crete. They also recommend a wonderful taverna in a nearby town. The studio itself was a dream come true, located on a quiet beach - you will not find the hoards there. The studio is truly beachfront. You can see the Libyan Sea from the bedroom window, and you can relax on the unit's charming patio with your own table and chairs. The studio is impeccably clean with charming details and decor that show the love care that the owners have poured into the unit. The bathroom ceiling is vaulted and the water pressure is strong, and hot. The kitchen was spotless and awaiting me was a bottle of wine made from the grapes that grow on the vines that overhang the patio along with apples, toast and jam. While there is plenty to see in Ierapetra region, you can go exploring or you can stay at Achlia Beach (I did both). The cove is private, the water is clear and beautiful, you can even snorkel or swim to the neighboring cove which is totally wild and uninhabited. There is one taverna on Achlia Beach where you can eat or rent sun beds. I am vegan and the people at the taverna made me a feast of potatoes and vegetable casserole and fava dip. After having run into the hoards of tourists at Elafonisi, Samaria and the other well know spots, I felt so incredibly fortunate to end my month in Crete at this quiet, private little slice of Cretan paradise. Thank you Cristina and Michelis - I truly cherished every minute at Achlia.