Kretaurlaub für Menschen die das Besondere suchen!
Die Mourtzanakis Residence ist der ideale Ort für alle, die Ruhe und tolle Gastgeber suchen. Die Villas sind sehr geräumig und gut ausgestattet. Der Duft nach frischen Kräutern, die wunderbare Luft und das sanfte Läuten der Schafsglocken verleiht diesem Ort eine meditative Ausstrahlung, die unvergleichlich ist. Der Blick von den Bergen in Richtung Meer, sowie die schönen Sonnenunter- und Sonnenaufgänge tun ihr übriges um sich hier ausgiebig zu erholen. Zentral gelegen bietet der Standort hervorragende Möglichkeiten die gesamte Insel zu erkunden. Und hat man mal keine Lust ins Auto zu steigen, ist ein Tag am Hotel eigenen Pool eine sehr erholsame Alternative. Marcos und Smaro (die Besitzer) sind ganz wunderbare Menschen, von denen man in ausgiebigen Gesprächen viel über die Insel und deren Geschichte erfahren kann. Oder man redet über Gott und die Welt, genießt dies in freundschaftlicher Atmosphäre, vielleicht auch bei einem Glas Raki.
Unser Tipp: Hinfahren!!!
dirkmeister wrote on Jun 2011
Hamburg, Germany
Excellant séjour
La résidence est idéalement située à 10 minutes de la mer, au calme au milieu des oliviers et centrale par rapport au reste de l'île. Vue magnifique depuis les deux terrasses de la maison. Ne manquez surtout pas les couchers de soleil à couper le souffle.Le cadre est très reposant avec sa piscine et ses transats. La maison est grande, propre et bien agencée. Les services hôteliers sont très appréciés (changement de drap, nettoyage et vidage des poubelles).
Marcos et Smaro sont très accueillant et parle très bien français. Merci pour leur disponibilité et leurs précieux conseils!
Pour ce qui veulent, la voiture est indispensable pour découvrir la région. Bien choisir la compagnie de location de voiture!!
Ariane S wrote on Aug 2016
Canton of Vaud, Switzerland
Again, again, again and again amazing...
"It is strange when you check my Tripadvisor, I am always reviewing only Mourtzanakis Residence. During these 5 years we visit with my wife and 6 years old son some places in the Europe, we met nice people and owners of small hotels, restaurants or apartments, but there was always something.... For us became Achlada our summer house, we find there everything what we need for great vacation, nice and clean house, quiet neighborhood, delicious dinners served on the terrace with stunning views and great owners which will try always help you with your requirements. When we came back home, many people asked me about crisis on Greece, Crete etc., they are influenced by the media, but from my point of view I must say that I found Greek people the same as always, living and enjoying their lives. So, our next will be Crete again."
PIaNL123 wrote a review Aug 2016
Den Bosch, The Netherlands
Freunde in der Fremde (Friend Abroad)
article on Mourtzanakis Residence Ecotourism Lodge - Achlada (Agia Pelagia), island of Crete
Friends abroad.
Why complaining? (About Greece) Holidays in Crete means delicious food, a pleasant comfortable atmosphere, sun and lovely people.
A brief description:
It is a place to rest.
There is a gentle breeze tonight and sometimes through the rustle of the wind, you may hear the soft ringing of bells from the grazing goats from the surrounding hills. The table is set: there is bread, olives and dakos - the Cretan bruschetta - with feta. Smaro Mourtzanakis lays the table in front of the residence. Smaro lights the candles at 9 p.m. this summer evening. The first guests from the small villas are coming for dinner. As always a mixed group of different cultures of English and French people is talking and discussing together: laughter, political discussions about the situation in Greece, enthusiastic storytellers describing the last hike and of course discussions about the exquisite fish meal from the 42-year-old Smaro.
Since 2008, the Greek couple (Smaro and Marco) has been running the Mourtzanakis Residence in the north of Crete. They are situated approximately 20 km away from the airport of Heraklion, overlooking the medieval village of Achlada. The whitewashed small holiday villas offer you a wonderful view over the olive trees, some of them more than 500 years old, the mountainous hinterland and the Mediterranean Sea. Singles, couples as well as families with children, everybody is welcome to visit the Mourtzanakis Residence. They come from all around the world with the intention of being surrounded by nature far away from the mass-tourism. Marco and Smaro will organize tours for the customers who are willing to. They give tips on how to reach the Samaria gorge or travel tips to the 17th century Savvathiana monastery.
“We would like to give our customers an inside view of the typical Greek life, the way we live, our culture and how we cook. The Residence is an ecological project supported by the European Union.”
Smaro and Marco met for the first time in Agia Pelagia, a village with a nice beach very close to Achlada." Achlada is our home" said Marco. “When we settled down in Achlada with our 11 year-old son, Valery, we wanted to build a place were people from all over the world could meet each other, where everybody is welcome. Here you can relax, read books, play games, discuss and advice. A place to say Farewell and Hello. "You arrive as a Guest, you leave as a Friend" That is our vision. When you are back home and remember us with a smile, then our vision has come true.”
Best holiday season: Beginning of April till end of May and from September till mid October. From June till October it is very hot on the island.
Airlines: Daily, all year long with Olympic Airlines and Aegean Airlines from Athens to Heraklion and to Chania. Charter flights and special offers from Easter till the end of October.
Ferryboat: Daily from Piraeus to Chania, Heraklion and Rethimnon. From Italy: Italy-Patras, Piraeus-Heraklion.
Tip: You can hire a car here or you can book one in your country. The price is about 35 Euro per day, including free km and full insurance.