Sitting in the hills above Kissamos, Arianne’s Place is ideal for a quiet getaway in Crete. Staying in the comfortable two-bedroom villa, our family of four need never have strayed far from the magnificent pool, enjoying the peace and sunshine, frequently to ourselves. With the well-equipped kitchen and choice of eating areas (including a rooftop terrace offering great views), it would have been possible to stock up at one of the nearby supermarkets and never leave. However, with a fantastic choice of family-run tavernas in the nearby town offering traditional food and drink at very reasonable prices, most evenings were spent strolling down to the sea front and taking our pick of prime locations. Without a single Pizza Hut, McDonalds or KFC to be seen anywhere on our travels, it seemed impossible to get a bad meal anywhere, but a particular favourite was Maria Beach. Just be prepared for the walk back to be a little more strenuous, especially in the height of summer, but at least then the whole family can enjoy the decent local beers and wines. Plus with air con in the bedrooms, it never took long to cool down when we returned and we always got a good night’s sleep, at least until the cicada chorus started in the morning (don’t worry – you soon get used to it). We hired a car for the week, which gave us access to absolutely stunning beaches at Falassarna (a half-hour drive) and Elafonissi (about an hour). We also considered a boat trip to Balos beach (which leaves from Kissamos or Falassarna) but just never got around to it. Ariana was a friendly and knowledgeable host, with plenty of advice for those who want it on getting the most from your stay. On her recommendation, we spent an evening in the village of Rokka for a full moon concert, enjoying classical music at an old Minoan site in the mountains. She was also very accommodating and we were able to spend our last day lounging by the pool rather than killing time waiting for our late-night flight home, effectively giving us an extra day in the sun. It was a wonderfully relaxing holiday and we’re considering returning as a couple in a few years’ time to try one of the apartments.