Saint Basil Olive Grove

A quiet, peaceful spot, yet the traditional village of Gavalochori is only a 15-minute walk and the sea is about half an hour away on foot. The hosts were attentive and quick to respond. My husband, our two teenagers and I had a wonderful week in this comfortable, immaculately clean villa. It felt like a proper getaway, and we loved both the house and its location. We’d happily return for another holiday in Crete.

John and Tina were lovely hosts, generous and easy to communicate with. They gave us helpful tips for walks, restaurants and snorkeling, and were available when we needed advice without getting in our way. The villa was spacious and comfortable, with a private pool, air conditioning and fans that helped in the heat. It’s not right by the sea, but driving to Almyrida was easy. Even the farther places we wanted to visit were generally within a 90-minute drive. I was also relieved that charming Gavalarohi was just a short walk away. It felt less touristy than Almyrida and had great restaurants. We had everything we needed in the peaceful surroundings.

The villa was spotless and had everything we needed, inside and out, for a lovely stay in beautiful Crete. John and Tina were incredibly helpful, both with practical things and their recommendations. From the information before we arrived to the villa itself, everything was just as we hoped. We spent two amazing weeks at villa Selene and would love to come back someday. The villa, the surroundings and our hosts all get our highest recommendation.

Hidden scenery and lovely surprises seemed to be around every bend in the beautiful area. The villa was private, tucked among olive trees, and had everything we needed. The pool was brilliant, and they cleaned and maintained it twice a week. We had a wonderful time. John and Tina were truly great hosts, with invaluable advice that helped us find charming villages and tavernas we’d never have discovered on our own.