What a wonderfully relaxing week! We were last in Crete 40 years ago and a lot has changed! Our accommodation here at Thalia is excellent & Claire has been hugely helpful with local information & restaurants. The town really comes alive on Saturday evening. Other highlights include walking the Gorge of the Dead at Kato Zakros & the monastery at Moni Toplou
Chris & Hilary,
June 2025
Muses Beach Villa staff were excellent, regarding the cleaner and pool/gardener. Excellent location for those looking for peace and tranquillity and getting away from the hustle of busy city/tourism. Beautiful location of the villas and many restaurants to chose from, whether by walking or driving. There is a local dive club if you want to dive the area.
Mrs Moira Wilcockson,
October 2024
Perfect holiday. Lovely location, lovely villa. Simpsons and all their people were exactly what you would want. Highly recommended.
Mr Maxwell Scott,
July 2024
Everything just perfect for a relaxing and refreshing time away. The Muses Villas have everything needed and serviced by friendly and helpful locals during our stay. The owner pops in and is welcoming and generous with treats to enjoy. Largely unspoilt part of Crete so very quiet apart from the local goat's bells!
Mr James Burnage,
May 2024
We returned to Thalia after 6 years and we were not disappointed to find that nothing has changed! The villa is just as comfortable as it was and it was great to see how the tree plants have grown up around the garden. The area is still so peaceful and underdeveloped. We enjoyed a really relaxing holiday here with excellent seafood and local Cretan cuisine and local wines are worth a try! A beautiful spot.
Liz & Norman,
May 2024
Another fantastic Simpson holiday! Muses certainly didn’t disappoint and lived up to our expectations. We were looking for a quiet, get-away-from-it-all location and had a fabulous relaxing time. However, we did manage to take in the lovely scenery and drove to Kato Zakros, which had a nice beach and also the Minoan Palace. The restaurants were fabulous and very welcoming both along the coast and in Palekastro. We will return!
Steve and Mandy,
September 2023
Our first time to Crete and not our last. We have enjoyed it so much. Muses is lovely and so well set up – we will be back. We thoroughly recommend Richtis Gorge and ‘Gorge of the Dead’ – our favourite place being Zakros Beach at the end of the gorge. Thank you for a wonderful stay.
Rachel and David,
September 2023
Our second visit to Muses. We adore this place. The owners and local concierge were beyond excellent. The villa and pool, location and overall experience were perfect. We had a couple of self created challenges that were managed brilliantly by the local team - thanks Claire & Lisa. We’ve already recommended a holiday here to a number of friends and we would happily guarantee to anyone else they will have the absolute best experience. Our thanks to everyone
Mr Graham Eastwood,
August 2023
Another lovely stay at Muses. The villa is perfectly situated, has everything you need and is immaculately kept. Maria and Manolis are warm and welcoming owners. Claire has been extremely helpful in all that we asked. We look forward to returning.
Karen and Rod,
June 2023
We came to this area (Glaros Apartments) 23 years ago and wondered how much the area might have changed…thankfully not a lot! It is still very much the ‘hidden Crete’ we remembered. These villas are superb in every way and we’ve had a very warm welcome from everyone. We’ve enjoyed relaxing and at a slower pace. For an exhilarating drive with rewards of beautiful beaches, try Kato Zakros and Xerokambos with a return via Sitia. We will be returning. With thanks to Claire and Manolis.
James and Ruth,
May 2023
Our first visit to Crete and we will certainly return. Muses is absolutely fabulous and the standard of the villa is fantastic. Claire and staff are very attentive and helpful.
Gill and David,
May 2023
As always, the Simpson team were superb, the villas and car hire excellently organised and everything was executed with panache! Thank you everyone!
Colin Honour,
August 2022
Our second stay here, and just as beautiful and relaxing as the last time. Many thanks to the lovely hosts for making us so welcome in their villa. Thanks to Claire for being there if needed.
Jayne and Carl,
August 2022
Claire was absolutely brilliant. Nothing was too much trouble. She made our holiday just what we wanted, yet again. We’ll be back!
David Hughes,
August 2022
We've had a lovely and relaxing break here at the Muses after a couple of difficult and stressful years. We enjoyed relaxing and doing very little in the sun, watching the windsurfers and eating out. Not had a bad meal since we arrived! Had a great time, thanks.
Paul and Natalie,
August 2022
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Thalia - a very comfortable and pleasant base from which to enjoy this quiet and beautiful corner of Crete.
Paul Almond,
August 2022
We thoroughly enjoyed our week in Thalia. The villa was excellent and the location delightful. The whole experience of booking through Simpson was fuss free and efficient. Quite the easiest car hire arrangements we have ever experienced.
David Twiss,
July 2022
I first booked through the original Simpson company, Simply, in 1980 and it's gratifying that the reliability in terms of the quality of premises and location endures. Knowing that everything will be, happens and works as promised is an essential part of a relaxing break. In this case, the genuine warmth and generosity of the villa owners added another level – (what a party!).
John & En,
October 2019
After July 2018 we stayed in Urania for the second time and had a wonderful and very happy holiday. There is nothing to complain about, everything is just perfect. We were very grateful for the time spent on Crete and will definitely return one day as we love Muses, Palekastro, the charming atmosphere and the very kind people.
Gabi & Michael,
July 2019
Marion, our local rep, was extremely knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. Kostoula at the airport was extremely helpful particularly as I was suffering from a bad back for the departure from the airport. After a number of holidays with Simpson Travel we should like to congratulate you on the quality of your staff. Staying in Thalia was a wonderful holiday.
The Howes,
June 2019
We were last in the area 15 years ago and were pleased to discover that it remains unspoilt. Villas are in a great location, well appointed to a high specification and spotlessly clean. The personal service was excellent, from the pre-departure team to our local representative and everything in between. Our accommodation was superb – everything had been thought of and it was spotlessly clean; it was in a lovely, unspoilt location Thank you to Marian for her help and advice and for delivering bubbly and cake for Chris’ 60th birthday.
Chris & Siân,
May 2019
An amazing experience. Our holiday experience was more than we could have hoped for. From the welcome of the local representative to the amazing location of our outstanding accommodation and to the warmth of the local village community. Highly recommended. .
Stuart Burrow,
October 2018
Thalia is a lovely villa in a beautiful unspoilt area. There are plenty of good places to visit – Kato Zakros, Sitia and Makri Gialos to mention just a few. Great G&T at the beach bar. We had a lovely time.
Dave & Denise,
June 2018
Everything is quite perfect for a lovely relaxing holiday. Thalia is so comfortable and of course couldn’t be closer to the beach. We had kindness from people and decent meals wherever we went.
Rob & Jenny,
June 2018
We arrived stressed and left beyond relaxed! We had a truly wonderful time at Muses Beach Villa. A fantastic villa, very friendly locals, great food and the beaches are second to none. We’ll be back.
Jeremy & Cherry Hiles,
May 2018
What a find. A great villa, beautiful surroundings and a great pool. We had a wonderful day at the beach in Vai. We very much hope to visit this area again one day and find it as unspoilt and idyllic – and still with sheep which we have enjoyed watching graze nearby.
Sarah & Tom,
May 2018
This was out third visit to Muses Villas. It is a wonderful location in a beautiful unspoilt area. There are lots of places to visit – Toplou, Kato Zakros and gorges as well as good tavernas. Marian, our Simpson Travel representative, couldn’t have been more helpful and charming.
Karin & Rod,
May 2018
Thalia is a fabulous place – very relaxing. We loved the area – it’s totally unspoilt with very friendly local people. There are lots of good tavernas. We’d recommend the villa and this part of Crete to anyone.
Lib & Andy,
May 2018
It has been lovely to be back in Crete again with such friendly, hospitable people. The villa was superbly equipped and very comfortable – the owner brought us delicious figs!
Ross & John,
September 2017
Simply exquisite, how can you not fall in love with the place? The east coast of Crete definitely has the charm that we felt when we first visited back in the 90s. True, unspoiled landscape with local hospitality to match.
Oliver, Chrissie & Charlie,
September 2017
Simply wonderful! We have loved our time here, it has been glorious; with a great location, weather and people what more could you wish for?
Julia & Adrian,
August 2017