I chose this house because it looked spectacular, and it exceeded even those high expectations. Spacious, well outfitted, and with spectacular views, if you can't enjoy this property, you will never be happy. Sitting on a hill just outside the city of Rythemno, an hour west of Heraklion (location of one of Crete's two airports) it is quiet and very luxurious. The living room window is a piece of art, as the view out has grape vines in the forefront growing on an arbor, sloping hills to the coast, and views of the Agean Sea on the north side of the Island. Crete is a big island, so you need a car to explore Minoan ruins, vineyards, restaurants or beaches. The beach on Rythemno, just east of the middle of the downtown area, was the best we found. Good sand, a restaurant and bar just behind your umbrella, and good swimming. Many of the "beaches" in Greece are very different from the American idea of a beach; we encountered rocks and sea urchins (that sting with barbs) in Paros, with no sand for sitting or lounging.