Andy is not just a super host, he's the absolute best super host! He and his lovely girlfriend, Emma, met us at the apartment the evening we arrived and walked us through the apartment so we would know where everything is located and how the appliances worked (e.g., air conditioner, washing machine). In addition to the basics, he also provided a large bottle of mineral water, a large bowl of fresh assorted fruits, a jar of delicious Cretan thyme honey, and, best of all, large bottles of olive oil and vinegar that he had made on his own farm. Since it was late on a Sunday evening and my husband was having difficulty adjusting to the shift on our rental car, Andy drove us in our rental car to a local mini-mart that he knew would be open, so we could get bread, etc., for breakfast, all the while giving tips to my husband about the shift. After bringing us back to the apartment, he sent me Google Map coordinates for a local supermarket, the local city bus stop, and a great pizza restaurant in the neighborhood, which stayed open late on Sundays (Le Notte, which we enjoyed immensely!). Throughout our stay, Andy responded immediately to all my inquiries about places to go and things to do in the area. Andy's apartment is spacious, comfortable, and tastefully decorated, with a HUGE terrace that overlooks olive orchards dotting the nearby hillside and a panoramic view of the distant mountain ranges beyond. Absolutely lovely! His apartment is ideally located at the southern edge of the city of Iraklio, so that the views from his terrace provide a rural peaceful atmosphere, while in fact it is still located in the city within 10 minutes walking distance to a city bus stop, a large modern supermarket, and many cafes and restaurants. The neighborhood is an authentic family neighborhood (i.e., no tourists!), which was so refreshing after coming from the tourist circus of Santorini. In fact, his parents live in the apartment on the second floor and were so welcoming to us (his sister, Marachi, was out of town, so unfortunately we didn't get to meet her). Our family of four (myself, husband, 19-year-old daughter and 22-year-old son) all loved everything about Andy, his family, his apartment, and the neighborhood! We give Andy and Emma the very highest recommendation! We can't wait to return to Crete and enjoy their hospitality again, not to mention his delicious artisanal olive oil!
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