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- Charming house in rural village
- Set amongst rolling hills and vineyards
- Carefully tended garden with barbecue and bread oven
- Authentic Crete at its best
Set on a hill in a rural village setting, this Simpson Secret provides a peaceful starting point for exploring the island – or simply relaxing, with lovely views across the patchwork of fields, rolling hills and vineyards below, and just one other villa alongside.
A carefully tended garden, flower-shaded stone terrace, barbecue and even a bread oven create a homely space, made for relaxing days by the pool and evenings al fresco, with the convenience of shops and tavernas just a ten-minute drive away.
Knossos and the unspoilt beaches of the south coast are within easy striking distance and the attractions of Heraklion less than half an hour away, including the impressive archaeological museum.
Looking for 10 nights..? Why not add a 3-night stay in a boutique hotel to your villa holiday. To find out more, view our 10-night holidays in Greece.
In Greece, a tourist tax may apply at your accommodation which will be payable locally, in cash, during the course of your holiday. Please use the link to view details specific to your accommodation. View tourist tax rates here.
Accommodation
Layout
- 2 bedroom villa (sleeps 2-4)
Ground floor
- Split level open-plan living/dining/kitchen area
- Kitchen includes full cooker, fridge-freezer, washing machine
- TV (Greek channels), CD player
- Shower room
First floor
- 2 double bedrooms (140cm x 190cm beds), one with additional sofa-bed
- Bathroom
General
- Complimentary WiFi
- Air conditioned
- Iron, ironing board, hairdryer, pool and bath towels provided
- Safe
- Barbecue and bread oven
- Private swimming pool 9m x 5m (depth 0.8m – 2.5m)
WiFi
- All properties with WiFi are able to support basic functionality such as web browsing and checking emails. We aim to offer an uninterrupted service but sometimes due to factors beyond our control reliability can be affected.
National tourist licence (EOT): 0829K034A0046900
Location
- Beach 30min drive
- Tavernas/shops 10min drive
- Heraklion 25min drive
- Heraklion airport 30min drive
Car hire
Car options
Based on the number of people travelling, the following hire car(s) are included in the package price of your holiday:
- 2-3 guests – 1 Group C2, Seat Ibiza or similar*
- 4 guests – 1 Group D2, Hyundai i30 or similar*
* All our cars include comprehensive insurance with no excess charge. For this particular destination, the undercarriage, tyres, wing mirrors and windscreen are not included in the cover.
Car specification
Group C2 – 1.2-1.4 litre engine, 1 large suitcase*
Group D2 – 1.4 litre engine, 2 large suitcases*
The following cars are available as alternatives on request (supplements apply). Please call our travel specialists for details.
Group CA – Automatic Nissan Micra or similar, 1.2-1.4 litre engine, 1 large suitcase*
Group D3 – Seat Toledo (diesel) or similar, 1.4 - 2.0 litre engine, 3 large suitcases*
Group DA3 – Automatic Nissan Pulsar or similar , 1.4 - 2.0 litre engine, 3 large suitcases*
Group E1 - Kia Stonic or similar, 1.0 litre engine, 1 medium and 2 large suitcases*
Group L2 – Dacia Duster or similar, 1.2 litre engine, 3 large suitcases*
Group F1 - Citroen Grand C4 or similar, 7 seater, 1.4 - 2.0 litre engine, 2 large suitcases*
Group FA - Automatic Citroen Grand C4 Space Tourer or similar, 7 seater, 1.4 - 2.0 litre engine, 2 large suitcases*
* Suitcase sizes are based on a large suitcase being approximately 75cm x 41cm x 31cm, a medium suitcase of approximately 65cm x 46cm x 29cm and a small suitcase of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm.
Thank you so much for allowing us to stay at this beautiful villa. Even with some wind, rain and the odd earth tremor, it has been exactly what we needed. It's allow us time away from crowds to rest, relax and regenerate. We have loved all the birdlife, the flora and fauna and our walks. We have enjoyed good food and it has been a wonderful week. We will miss the villa and the solitude.
The concierge service was excellent. The local rep (Kostoula) could not have been more helpful and her recommendations were faultless.
Thank you for a lovely stay. Amazing place to have a 44th birthday! We loved it, what a view!
Thank you for a relaxing week on all the verandahs and seating areas! Good location for exploring Crete but will keep it secret!
Simpson travel go above and beyond to assist you while you are on holiday. We will continue to use Simpson travel in the future it would be great if they expanded there European portfolio. Thanks for another great family holiday we look forward to the next one.
This is a beautiful hideaway villa which offers an opportunity into authentic Cretan life. Our hosts (the family and local concierge) were just the best!
Many thanks to George, Maria and Nikos for allowing us to stay in their wonderful villa. It is fantastically equipped and we often struggled to decide which of the many tables to have our meals at. The grapes outside the back door are amazing and all the little touches are amazing. We had lovely days at Spinalonga island, Knossos, Rethymno, Matala and snorkelling hear Chania. Being met at the airport to be shown back to the house and the local supermarket was much appreciated and unexpected.
Thank you for letting us all enjoy the delights of your beautiful villa - the space, the iews, the pool and all the wonderful seating areas. We have all had just the BEST time and have loved being away from it all in the Cretan countryside. You have been excellent hosts. Kostula has been AMAZING - everyone has helped to make it all very special.
Thank you George, Maria and Nikos for your beautiful villa, we have had a wonderful holiday here. Thank you for your kindess in meeting us at the airport and for all your gifts. We really appreciated it all.
The villa was superb with very helpful friendly owners George and Maria. The plane arrived late so we were delighted to be met at the airport and taken to the house, with George showing us the nearest supermarket en route. We had a wonderful stay and really enjoyed visiting all the fascinating places in central Crete.
Many thanks George, Nikos and Kostula for a lovely stay here. So peaceful and beautiful. I think we've eaten a meal at every table in the house and garden!
They say in customer service that a crisis is an opportunity. Simpson proved the truth of that when our booking was cancelled at late notice by the property owner in Crete due to Covid-19. Too many UK holidaymakers were pulling out, apparently, due to concerns over the virus and the owner had had enough. It must be so tough for companies like Simpson to deal with situations like this at a time when all holiday companies are struggling for revenues. But their response was fantastic. They offered us our money back, but also found us some excellent alternative properties. They gave us time to decide, allowed us maximum flexibility and we ended up in two different parts of the island for one week each – providing a more varied holiday than we'd originally planned, in properties that were just stunning. The result was one of the best holidays we've ever had.
A wonderful and quiet retreat for us. We spent a lot of time enjoying meals and home grown grapes and figs gifted to us by George! We also had a few half day trips out and like others recommend Knossos and Lake Votamos. Thank you for a restful week.
We have enjoyed many villa holidays but the service we received from Simpson, both pre-departure and when we arrived at our destination, easily surpassed anything we have experienced before. We received a personal e-mail from their representative before we left and she was there to meet us when we landed at the airport. We had hired a car, and this was also waiting for us. A lovely welcome pack of food was there for us at our villa. We were met again by the Simpson representative as we arrived at the airport on departure and were accompanied right through to security.
We had a good holiday – and thank you George for your kindness on our last day.
Very sad to be leaving after our immersion in Cretan culture. Maria’s House is a lovely base from which to explore and the outside seating areas are beautifully relaxing. We discovered our inner hippy at Matala and sang Joni Mitchell all the way home! Kostoula’s recommendations have all been brilliant – she certainly knows a good restaurant and we have been overwhelmed by the kindness, helpfulness and hospitality of everyone in this area. A very big thank you to George, Nikos and Maria.
Wonderful, relaxing and enjoyable stay in this lovely villa. Thank you George for our amazing hospitality and generosity. Kostoula has also been a start and gave us some great recommendations for our time here.
This traditional villa was perfect for a relaxing holiday with stunning views of mountains, olive groves and vineyards and even the sea. The pool is lovely and the garden very special with many areas to sit surrounded by vines, lemon and orange trees. There is plenty to see north and south with ancient sites, stunning bays and impressive gorges and plateaus. Thank you to George for letting us stay in his beautiful home.
Enjoying a relaxing and interesting stay in Crete and this beautiful villa. There is so much to enjoy in the area. George, thank you so much for allowing us to stay in your lovely villa, we have so enjoyed our second stay in Crete.
George is a kind and thoughtful host. Anything you need, just ask. The villa is beautiful, with a balcony/patio for every conceivable occasion. The setting is so peaceful, beaten only by the wind in the palm trees. Thank you for sharing their lovely place with us.
Thank you so much to George for his wonderful and warm hospitality. The villa is wonderful – so tranquil, spacious and very well equipped. I have truly loved my time here – just the tonic needed to escape the busy life in the UK.
This was our first holiday together since losing my dear wife, Susan, in June. This was first time we used Simpson Travel but they made it possible for me to take our two teenage boys, Gregory and Dominic, away on holiday since the trauma of losing a wife and a Mum. I felt in safe hands throughout from the initial booking over the phone to the holiday itself especially our island rep, Evie, who made sure things were in place for us and provided great assistance throughout drawing on her vast knowledge of the island of Crete. This was a massive step for me but Simpson Travel enabled us to have a stress-free break in a quiet villa and I fully intend using them next year – hopefully somewhere a little more busy and just a short step to the beach. I really cannot fault any aspect of the service and always felt confident and at ease knowing we were in good safe hands. Thank you Simpson Travel – you have a very happy customer here and we will be using you again next year. Thank you so much.
George is an excellent host. This is probably the best villa I have ever been fortunate enough to stay in and carefully equipped with pretty well everything you may need. I love the tranquillity of this area and thoroughly recommend it.
Having enjoyed at least nine Simpson Travel holidays in many different locations and countries, we have confidence that they always provide stunning villas and have incredibly efficient, friendly staff with a personal touch. Everything runs smoothly, like clockwork, allowing us to relax and enjoy our holiday with the minimum of fuss. We have never been disappointed!
A big thank you to George, Maria and Nikos for allowing us to stay in their lovely villa and thanks to Simpson Travel for facilitating it. I have really enjoyed my time here – so tranquil and relaxing, plus we have visited some very lovely places. Great to have grapes and figs 'on tap'. Very comfortable in every sense.
Tucked away in the beautiful wine growing area of Crete our villa was superb. All the travel arrangements ran like clockwork and everyone was helpful and friendly.
Everything from looking at the website to choosing the holiday went like clockwork. No stress no worries. Just a smooth easy ride. We both miss it already!
Staying here has been a joy. Exactly the relaxing break that we had needed and we are feeling re-made. The horizons in every direction are inspiring and seem different every time we look at them. The blue skies, the pool, the house, every detail has been considered and is perfect. No need to go anywhere. We've had the odd adventure and found our dream beach. It's been a lovely holiday. Our grateful thanks, George, for all you have done.
From the moment we arrived it was obvious that we had a home to holiday in and not just a house. As such, it gave us the option to relax for several days without the need to travel which is exactly the kind of holiday we needed. George was a great host. The house itself is perfectly positioned and the grounds only add to the sense of isolation and tranquillity. The facilities worked without fail and there is plenty of space to spread yourself about a bit! Overall one of the best holidays we've had. Peaceful, well provided for and great weather all week.
The house is splendid and very spacious for just the two of us. It is great being away from the tourist track – no Brits, just very, very friendly and hospitable locals. Great week – sorry to leave.
This is an idyllic, tranquil location. The villa is wonderful with far-reaching views of the olive groves and vineyards. As a family of four, the kids loved the pool whilst we enjoyed having our meals in different settings as provided. Eating breakfast to the rear in the morning sun was a particular delight. For all a wonderful holiday with plenty of beach and pool stops to keep us cool.
The house is quite magical – wonderful pool, lovely in the evening under the terrace lights and so many beautiful places to sit and read/ponder/eat! For just the two of us it has provided everything we needed from this holiday – peace, tranquillity and space.
The house is positioned on a hill above a small village and is surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. The local people are very welcoming and generous.
Our choice of Greek properties is as diverse as the islands themselves, ranging from simple seaside charm to genuine luxury and style. Much of our portfolio is privately owned, and price alone is therefore not a universal guide. We contract all our accommodation in person, and each property has its individual appeal. To help you make the right choice based on your own priorities, we have devised a simple grading guide to be considered in conjunction with each individual property description, awarding up to a maximum of five stars for the below categories.
* For further clarification on Facilities and Amenities, please view the 'Details' tab for each property or speak to one of our experienced sales consultants.
As the birthplace of Zeus, Central Crete carries a certain historic and spiritual gravitas. Knossos, the Minoan Bronze Age palace, steals the show, but there are many other smaller archaeological sites, churches and towns to cast you back in time. However, with harbourside dining, beautiful beaches, mountain villages and vibrant summer festivals, the here and now also has a lot to offer. And Rethymno, which has clung on to much of its authentic beauty and charm, is a welcome addition to your island experience.
Visit our collection of handpicked villas and hotels in Rethymno and Central Crete to create the perfect starting point for your holiday.
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