Our hosts made us feel really welcome, providing us with gifts of fruit, wine, raki and other food. The villa is just perfect - fabulous location, immaculately clean and so modern - with amenities such as WiFi, air-conditioning, a safe for valuables and microwave as well as a superbly equipped kitchen. The stunning terrace is south facing so it catches the brilliant Cretan sunshine all day long. An added bonus was the decline of a red sun in the west and the rise of an orange moon above the mountains south of Lefkogeia, which was so vivid it looked like the dawn. All the bedrooms were comfortable as well as spotlessly clean and there are several bathrooms with a hot showers. Our host, Eleni, came everyday with gifts and to empty the bins, make the beds and clean. We couldn't have asked for a lovelier host. There is a beautiful secluded beach in a rocky cove within five or ten minutes walk. Plakias is three to five minutes drive, depending on the Traffic. There are some pleasant tavernas there or you can go to the wonderfully atmospheric Damnoni Taverna at Damnoni beach. The most spectacular beach for miles around is Preveli Beach, located where the river enters the sea under the shade of a forest of palm trees. It is well worth combining a visit there with a trip to the nearby historic Preveli Monastery, famous for its part in the evacuation of the allies in 1941. We also had a pleasant, energetic day at the Imbros Gorge, about a hour's drive away. It has free secure parking and you pay for a taxi ride to the beginning of the walk. The four mile descent is not too taxing and the scenery is so varied, I couldn't stop taking photos. We also visited two enchanting mountain villages, Argiroupoli and Meronas. The first has a beautiful panorama of a verdant sloping valley and Meronas is a relly authentic Cretan village, where the people are - as everywhere - friendly and the tavernas lively. I would definitely recommend hiring a car if you wish to visit some of the many interesting places all around Plakias, not least Spilli, which has so many tempting shops where you can buy affordable presents. I would definitely recommend Nikos and Eleni's blissful, heavenly villa to anyone. Thank you so much, Nikos and Eleni, for your kindness.