Mike Omalos House 1 & 2

(Translated by Google) We were there for two days and we liked the secluded location. The view over the Omalos plain is very beautiful. The welcome was very friendly and some food was already provided free of charge in the fridge. A service we have never had before! We used the bikes free of charge to explore the area. I recommend arriving by car or taxi. The bus stop is about 35 minutes away on foot. (Original) Wir waren zwei Tage dort und die einsame Lage hat uns gut gefallen. Der Blick über die Omalosebene ist sehr schön. Der Empfang war sehr freundlich und im Kühlschrank waren bereits einige Lebensmittel kostenlos bereitgestellt. Ein Service, den wir so noch nie hatten! Wir nutzten kostenfrei die Fahrräder um die Gegend zu erkunden. Ich empfehle die Anreise mit Pkw oder Taxi. Die Bushaltestelle ist ca 35 Gehminuten entfernt.

OK, what can I say. We spent wonderful week at the Omalos plateau in the Mike's house. That is it :) For those who wants to know more: - The house is VERY comfortable. I will not list all the amenities - that is in the property description or pictures, but - the week we were there a hot air from Sahara was approaching the mediterranean area with temperatures above 40 degrees. The house is built so well that we did not even have the need to turn the A/C on. - Evenings on the terrace lying on the couch with view on the mountains above the Samaria gorge were wonderful - soooo quiet. Absolute relax, you just hear the little bells from sheep herds grazing down on the meadows. And the stars in the sky! Check it out, you will love it. Located in Omalos, you have infinite possibilities how to spend your days there. What we did is: - Samaria gorge, of course, the gem of Crete. Book the ferry tickets online from Agia Roumeli to Sougia and then bus tickets (KTEL) from Sougia to the point from where you started your Samaria hike - sooo easy and it really works! - Swimming in Sougia - it is just 45 minutes of driving, plenty of tavernas and bars, I recommend to try the Cretan Charma bier in one of them :) - Lissos gorge from Sougia to Lissos archeological site and beach. - Botanical garden near Chania - Off road trip to Kallergi's shelter with amazing views on Samaria from above. - Hiking trip to Afchenas saddle (1706m) again - above the Samaria, where you will be rewarded with many different views - try it out :) We were hungry and thirsty, of course - and we were absolutely satisfied as well - besides the fact that Mike left us food, great raki and ton of water bottles, we found a little kafeneio just 200 meters from the house where we stopped several times for a good coffee and refreshment. Directly in Omalos village we used to eat in the few tavernas and it was always only good experience, real traditional food, good wine as usual in places like that.

(Translated by Google) The cottage is nestled in a valley with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. We had a spacious living room with a fireplace and kitchen, a separate bedroom, and a bathroom. The accommodation is fully equipped with all the necessary appliances, including a washing machine. Two accessible terraces allowed us to admire the beauty of the mountains. We were welcomed by the host himself, Mike, who thoroughly explained everything about the appliances and the house. We were welcomed with local ravioli stuffed with cheese and honey. A jar of local honey, olive oil, sesame breadsticks, cookies, wine, raki, and farm eggs and water in the fridge awaited us. We haven't experienced such a rich and pleasant welcome in Crete :-) The Samaria Gorge is only 5 km away. The village of Omalos is about 2 km away, so even on foot, you can reach local tavernas in the evening or cook your own meal at home. The surroundings are quiet and peaceful, interrupted only by the bells of passing sheep or goats. A place worth recommending if you like nature, peace and quiet :-) (Original) Domek usytuowany jest w dolinie z pięknym widokiem na pobliskie góry. Do naszej dyspozycji mieliśmy obszerny pokój dzienny z kominkiem i kuchnią, osobną sypialnię i łazienkę. Kwatera wyposażona jest doskonale we wszystkie niezbędne sprzęty o udogodnienia na pralce kończąc. Dwa dostępne tarasy umożliwiały nam podziwianie piękna gór. Zostaliśmy powitani przez samego gospodarza - Mike’a, który wszystkie dokładnie wyjaśnił w kwestii obsługi sprzętów i domu. Na sam początek zostaliśmy ugoszczeni lokalnymi pierożkami z serem i miodem, dodatkowo w domu czekał na nas słoiczek miejscowego miodu, oliwy, paluchy z sezamem, ciastka, wino, raki, a w lodówce wiejskie jajka i woda. Tak bogatego i miłego przyjęcia na Krecie nie mieliśmy :-) Do wąwozu Samaria raptem 5km. Do wioski Omalos ok. 2km, więc nawet na pieszo można podejść wieczorem do miejscowych tawern lub samodzielnie ugotować posiłek w domu. Dookoła cisza, spokój, które przerywane są jedynie dziękiem dzwonków przechodzących owiec lub kóz. Miejsce godne polecenia jeśli lubisz przyrodę i ciszę oraz spokój :-)

Loved it so much! Very quiet in the middle of nowhere, really calm. Mike was so nice and gave us a warm welcoming. The house had everything we needed and there were all kinds of small amenities. Thank you, Mike!

(Translated by Google) Mike and his wife are particularly welcoming and attentive to their guests: raki, a small cheese confection, spinach, and homemade honey (a real treat, I can tell you). The best in-person welcome we received during our nearly three-week stay traveling Crete by car. Their accommodation, we had the second floor at the back, is more than complete in terms of amenities and comfort. A shower worthy of the name, not a small tub with a curtain that sticks to your skin as soon as you move, you know what I mean... Complete small appliances: filter coffee maker, kettle, waffle iron used for toasting bread. A large fridge with plenty of bottled water provided by Mike and his wife. A bed that's neither too soft nor too firm for a good night's sleep. No need to run the air conditioning in this summer, which is very hot in Crete (30-35°C). Omalos being at higher altitudes, the temperatures are milder (it was a pleasant 15°C the next day at the start of the hike). Ideally located for an early departure to the Samaria Gorge (we were there at 7:30 the next morning on Mike's advice to avoid the arrival of buses from the region). Back from the gorge, we were able to spend a second peaceful night, our calves and thighs being put to the test. Truly unbeatable value for money. (Original) Mike et sa femme sont particulièrement accueillant et pleins d'attention pour leurs hôtes : raki, petite confiserie au fromage, épinard et miel fait maison (un régal je ne vous dit que cela). Le meilleur accueil en présentiel que nous ayons eu pendant notre séjour de presque 3 semaines à parcourir la Crète en voiture. Leur logement, nous avions le 2ieme au fond, sont d'un niveau d'équipement et de confort plus que complet. Une douche digne de ce nom, et non pas un petit bac avec le rideau qui vous colle à la peau des que vous bougez, vous voyez ce que je veux dire... Petit électroménager complet : cafetière filtre, bouilloire, gaufrier utilisé pour griller le pain. Un grand frigo avec de très nombreuses bouteilles d'eau mises a disposition par Mike et sa femme. Un lit ni trop souple ni trop ferme pour passer une bonne nuit. Pas besoin de faire fonctionner la climatisation en cet été pourtant très chaud en Crète (30-35°C). Omalos étant en altitudes les températures sont plus clémentes (envie 15° le lendemain au départ de la randonnée). Idéalement placé pour un départ tôt pour les gorges de Samaria (nous y étions à 7h30 le lendemain matin sur les conseils de Mike afin d'éviter l'arrivée des cars venant de la région). De retour des gorges nous avons pu passer une 2 ème nuit paisible avec des mollets et des cuisses mis à rude épreuve. Un rapport qualité prix vraiment imbattable.