As you see in the pictures, Katerina's place is clean, modern, and very bright. I cooked several meals with vegetables and food purchased from the many markets and local farm stand right around the corner.
Walking distance are a ton of locally owned restaurants I would have loved to experience, if I was there longer. Some are open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., others open during the evening at 8 p.m.
I spent my time walking to Gazi to sit with my sketch book and swim at the beach. I also met a friend for diner at a restaurant on the water in Heraklion, just a 20-minute walk from the apartment.
Be aware there are AMAZING sunrises and sunsets to view, so maybe get up early to see them, either while you walk along the beach in Gazi, or along the waterfront in the Old Port of Irakleio.
The apartment is close to everything that the city has to offer. You are in the city with all of its sounds, but the apartment has an a/c that creates white noise, so you will be able to sleep peacefully without the abrupt street noises. It is a family-oriented neighborhood, with quaint crooked streets, lined with tiny cars parked tight along the sidewalks, under the colorful balconies above.
Katerina is a lovely host. She provided a link to an excellent taxi company, only $16 to the airport. The driver, Alex, was kind and respectful. He picked me up in a brand new Fiat, a large safari vehicle. We drove along the waterfront during the sunrise.
I had a nice time in Creta. I hope you will also be able to visit southern Creta where life is slow and peaceful. I thank the people of Creta for their wonderful hospitality.
Efharisto!