Communication was great, and we were met by both Kostas and Despoina, who showed us around the lovely house that had belonged to Despoina's grandparents. The love and history is evident everywhere.
The house is just off a little square with a taverna (which has a bit of a buzz on some evenings), and although you cannot park immediately outside, Kostas described where to park on-street after unloading. It is also just 2 minutes from the main square, where there is a handful of places to eat and drink, and some public parking spaces.
The house has lots of character, and is very secure. There is a/c in both the downstairs space, and the main double bedroom. You have both an upstairs and downstairs bathroom, and balconies off each of the two bedrooms. The main bedroom has a comfy bed, and crisp cotton bedding, and the shutters allow you light when you want it, but equally keep the house cool when used in the sunlight. You don’t need to take a hair dryer, as there is one provided, and there are ample towels for your stay.
The kitchen is well-equipped with oven and hob, a coffee machine, fridge with small freezing compartment, washing machine, and all the bits and pieces you might need to prepare a simple meal.
There are many additional thoughtful touches, such as providing tea, water, coffee, olive oil and vinegar, washing up liquid, soap, shampoo, and fresh fruit, a bottle of wine, and some lovely baklava. Honestly, you could not ask for more thoughtfulness! Kostas also was kind enough to give lots of local tips, and forward these by email.
You need to take a little care with the traditional wooden open staircases, and remember to duck on the way up to the second bedroom if you are tall, but you quickly get used to these…all part of the charm!
A couple of minutes’ walk from the house there is a supermarket, a good bakery, Pancreta Bank ATM and pharmacy, as well as the bus stop for regular buses to Agios Nikolaos (2 euros, takes 15 minutes) and Heraklion.
We found the town charming. Not a tourist resort, but a friendly working town, full of flowers, which provides a great base for this wonderful area of Crete by car.
Kostas and Despoina are truly remarkable hosts, who have sympathetically taken care of this lovely historic house, but provide all the modern touches you could need. Ευχαριστώ πολύ! We would love to return.