My wife and I had a wonderful getaway for 11 days at Helios Villa, where we happily spent our days swimming in the pool, drinking our fill of frappés, exploring the beautiful coastline and relaxing in the many excellent tavernas recommended by Karl.The villa is a perfect combination of style, comfort and practicality. It is beautifully built, incorporating many features of traditional Cretan architecture, and has a large pool with truly spectacular views. We made very good use of it whenever we weren’t out exploring the beaches and coastline of Western Crete. The villa was also kept beautifully clean and tidy throughout our stay thanks to Eleni’s regular visits.The location is particularly special. The villa is tucked away in an olive grove in the hills near Livadia, giving it a wonderfully peaceful, off-the-beaten-track feel, while still being within easy reach of some of the most beautiful beaches in the area. Karl’s detailed guide to local restaurants, cafés, beaches and other places to visit was extremely helpful and really added to our stay.If you visit in summer, we particularly recommend Karkatsouli Beach, which Karl provides directions to in his guide. It has everything we were looking for: crystal-clear water, excellent snorkelling, sunbeds for relaxing and generally calm seas.All in all, Helios Villa is a fantastic place to stay and a wonderful base from which to experience the beauty, tranquillity and wildness of Western Crete. We wish we can return soon!