The village of Kaliviani is the perfect place to stay if you’re more interested in the natural beauty of Crete than in noisy tourist sites. It’s within short driving distance of Falasarna, and even within walking distance (if you’re adventurous) of Balos (2 of the best beaches on the island). We rented a scooter and went exploring in the mountain villages, where you can find ruins tucked away. The few restaurants in Kaliviani were exceptionally homey and welcoming.
The cave villa itself is an incredible, unusual space. Truly it exceeded my expectations, and Nantia is an excellent host. She took the time to help us plan, even booking seats in advance for us on some of the more popular excursions, knowing that by the time we got in they might be full. She was flexible when our flight was delayed, and remained available by text for any questions we might have.
I couldn’t recommend this experience more highly.