Sitia cottages

Our week in Casa d’Olive was just as we’d hoped. Peaceful with stunning scenery and we had 6 full days of walks, gorges, beaches, mountains and wonderful family run tavernas.

We loved the beautiful Natura Cottages, and loved how peaceful it was. Our only wish was that the hammock had been a double so we could have lazed in the olive grove together! A perfect retreat, spotlessly clean, with everything we needed.

What can we say this lovely traditional cottage is just beautiful, it is exactly as you see in the photographs and although it is not big it is fine for two people. Maria could not have been more helpful when greeting us and the cottage was spotlessly clean with everything you could need for an enjoyable stay. The veranda with its beatiful handmade table and chairs had an amazing view of the sea on one side and mountains on the other and was a lovely place to eat alfresco. We loved the area and found some lovely places to swim along the coast, and took many drives into the surounding mountains. We had a wonderful time thank you.

A lovely, small Cretan House with big personality. The patio area is where we all lived for two glorious weeks. The house is on a dirt track which makes the privacy fairly complete. The air conditioning makes sleeping a lot easier. Some of the the local feral cats make their prescence felt and, if you feed a cat once it will demand feeding again. Agios Nikolaos is close enough to walk to but not if the party staying are as ancient as we were. We used the car and ate out most nights. The kitchen, although compact, is perfectly adequate to cook in and breakfasts, lunches and dinners were prepared. The inside and outside toilets and showers, with hot water, are extremely useful and the cold outside shower is fantastic on a hot day. Ore, the owner, is extremely helpful and supplies guests with all the information needed. We had a fabulous time and if we ever go back to Crete, this where we would stay.

Exo Mouliana is a little village away from the usual tourist route but lays on the main road so it’s easy to get to places. Other villages we visited would have a winding narrow road you have to navigate for half an hour just to get to the main road. This place is very conveniently located however the house itself is high on the hill so you don’t hear the road or the noise from the centre of the village. In fact it was quiet and peaceful at night and not hot at all thanks to the light night breeze. Mosquitoes were the only downside but I found some repellent plugs in the house. There is an air conditioning if required but we hardly used it (stayed in mid June). Local taverna served excellent food. Closest city, Sitia, with lovely beaches and equally excellent restaurants is 20 min away by car. Very quiet and not swamped with tourists so prices are lower than in the western part of Crete. The house itself although small had everything you would want from a rental cottage and more. Michalis the host couldn’t have been more helpful and welcoming. He really looked after us and supplied lots of advice about what to visit and where to eat. The view from the terrace is absolutely breathtaking and there is a mulberry tree, an apricot tree and a lemon tree in the garden all full of ripe fruit. I would gladly stay there again.

Highly recommended for anyone seeking peace and tranquility in the most beautiful natural surroundings. My cottage was beautiful, and had been lovingly restored to offer a very high standard of accommodation. The host Emma provided a service second to none. Very happy customer who will be returning to Natura Cottages.