The house is beautiful and so spacious. The gardens are amazing; there are about 8 different places to sit so there is always somewhere in the shade to relax. We spent most of our time on the shaded terrace at the front with views over Agios Nicholaos and the mountains beyond.
It is an unusual configuration inside with the living area and terrace upstairs. The bedrooms downstairs are not connected and are accessed by 2 different staircases (one almost a ladder). This suited us well as a family of 4 with two adult children but it may be a issue if you have young children.
Carol was incredibly kind and generous. We were met and welcomed with a glass of raki. Wine and a few essentials were left for us in the house. We were also given figs during our stay. Carol will meet you at the top of the road and take you to the house; I would not recommend driving down. We had a small hire car and are used to driving the Devon lanes but the entrance is very tight.
Kritsa is lovely. Highly recommend walking the Kritsa gorge which is cool and shady in the morning. It’s a stunning walk and in parts you have to pull yourself up the rock with ropes. Lato is also well worth a visit; we arrived soon after opening time and were the only ones there. The Kritsotopoula museum is highly recommended; it not the one in the centre of the village but can be found further on in the maze of back streets.
For good traditional food in the village Taverna Lato is recommended. If you have a car then drive up to Crousta 4 miles away and eat at the last taverna on the right; incredible food in a lovely setting right on the street.
Further afield there are some nice beaches just south of Agios Nicholaos on the old road. Spinalonga is an interesting day out and there is a ferry every 30 minutes from Plaka. The Carob Tree was a nice place to eat in Plaka away from the expensive tavernas by the waterfront.