My partner and myself love to travel with Simpson Travel, you know that you will get quality care from start to finish, which, in our opinion is extremely important. The Simpson reps are equally as excellent too... Nothing is too much trouble for them AND you know you're in good hands.
Mr Steven Booth
September 2025
What a really fabulous stay here this week. Amazing weather – hot hot hot! Thank you Claire for being so helpful and attentive. Thank you for welcoming us into this beautiful villa. We’d like to come back!
The Chambers family
July 2025
This was our first visit to Crete, and we have all been blown away by the beauty of the place – the views of the unspoilt landscape are just stunning, and Palekastro is no exception. We loved the fact that it’s so peaceful around here – the beach just down the road from the villa never seemed busy, and our girls (aged 7 and 10) loved snorkelling in the crystal clear blue sea. The villa - wow! What a gorgeous place to make our home for the week. Having our own pool was a fantastic experience for the girls, as was the grassy area for garden games etc. It was great to see the lovely welcome basket when we arrived late at night – it had everything we needed for breakfast etc. It’s a perfect size for the four of us and has plenty of space to relax after a day in the sun. We’re very sad to be leaving!
A special thanks must go to Clare, who gave us some great tips on places to visit and restaurant recommendations, she is so knowledgeable about the area which was a big help. Enjoy!
Sarah, James, Ffion & Mali
June 2025
What an incredible two weeks – the villa, pool and gardens are fantastic. Ellie keeps the villa absolutely spotless and Claire was always so quick to respond to any queries!
Toby & Alison
June 2025
Following a busy week in Mochlos with the family, this week has been a very relaxing break in this super villa à deux! First time to Eastern Crete and despite the changeable weather, we loved the laid-back and friendly attitude of everyone we’ve met. Thanks to Claire for great advice and guidance, and to Ellie for keeping the villa spotless!
The Piwowars
May 2025
This is our first holiday with Simpson Travel – can’t fault them. The pre-holiday team were fantastic, as was George from Zakros who handed over the car at the airport. Ellie the cleaner was lovely, came to introduce herself. But most of all Claire – she has been truly exceptional. Her knowledge of the area and helpfulness has been second to none. Nothing was too much trouble – she made our holiday so special. The villa itself is superb with everything you could possibly need in it, it was kept very clean as was the pool area – a gorgeous setting. All in all a fantastic holiday. So much so whilst here we pre-booked for two weeks in May 2026. Thanks to everyone involved – see you in 2026.
Steve & Anne Marie
May 2025
Not our first visit to Crete but for a holiday off the beaten track we were looking for a holiday company we could trust to deliver on location, accommodation, service and support. Simpson Travel fully met our expectations in every way. We had 2 fantastic weeks in Villa Palekastro, a perfect villa in a perfect location with perfect weather. Everything was so perfect we have booked to return to this area again next year. Yes, it is a long drive from the airport but it is so worth it to enjoy a quieter, more authentic, welcoming area of Crete. The support and advice received from Claire was excellent and helpful, Ellie and Dimitri do a fantastic job taking care of the villa and grounds, nothing was ever too much trouble - thank you Ellie for doing our laundry!
Mrs Barbara Greenslade
October 2024
Excellent accommodation and the location was fantastic with beach, restaurant and bar in short walking distance. Well worth the drive to get to!
Mr Richard Bell
August 2024
As a first time user of Simpson Travel we have been bowled over by the quality of accommodation, service and people. We have already recommended to friends and family. Everything went like clockwork. Special thanks to Laura on the sales team and Claire in the resort, who couldn't do enough for us. Thanks to everyone!
Mrs Maxine Neath
May 2024
We had a wonderful stay at Villa Palekastro. The villa was comfortable, spotless and just what we needed for our family of three. Great location - very peaceful but just a short walk to some gorgeous tavernas and a 20min walk to Palekastro town which had good mini markets for self catering.
Ms Caroline Salter
May 2024
A little word from a young married couple that spent a lovely week in Palekastro. The villa is great and the surroundings are fabulous - a huge thanks to Ellie, Vasilis and Claire that contributed to this marvelous time during the Greek Easter period. Crete, we will be back!
Arthur & Camille
April 2024
Thank you, Claire, for being so helpful. We have had a lovely week and appreciated your recommendations.
Pip and Nigel
October 2023
Fabulous little villa with great pool and views of the mountains and the sea. Location perfect with the beach minutes away and Palekastro the local village charming. Perfect location for complete relaxation. Everyone super helpful and friendly.
Mr Nigel Spragg
September 2023
We have had a really lovely holiday, both relaxing and adventurous. Thank you very much Claire and Ellie.
Trish, Tim and Georgia
September 2023
We have had a wonderful two weeks in the villa. We explored the local beaches and tavernas. One day I’m sure we’ll be back in Crete.
Debra and family
August 2023
I’ve enjoyed Glaros beach bar. We had so much fun and Itanos beach. I’ve looved (sic) the pool. I love Crete – two weeks is not enough for me.
Jessica (age 9)
August 2023
Crete is so nice. We came here in August 2019 and it was great. The pool is a bit smaller than I remember, but that is because I am bigger now that I’m 12. I loved the beach and pool, and we loved the café at the windsurfing beach. Thanks to Claire and Ellie for looking after the villa.
William (age 12)
August 2023
We really enjoyed our stay at Villa Palekastro. As it was our first time staying in Crete, we did not know what to expect from this lovely stretch of coastline. However, we found it to be filled with lovely beaches and restaurants. We especially loved the surfing and windsurfing school located a short walk from the villa and Hiona beach for snorkelling and food!
Ethan, Richard, Sheri and Caterina
July 2023
Fantastic trip and will be using Simpson again for sure. Thank you.
Richmond Lightbound
July 2023
It is a fabulous villa – lovely and private with a very welcoming pool. Great to see the windsurfers and foil boards in the bay – and despite a 54-year break – a superb hour blasting over the wake! The drive here is worth it for the peace and quiet. We ate in many of the local restaurants – simple but good and inexpensive. Thank you, Ellie, for looking after us. We very much hope to return.
Tim and Mel
June 2023
This villa is in the most superb position - great beaches and tavernas all within walking distance. Everyone is incredibly friendly, approachable and kind. Itanos beach is STUNNING. Zakros Gorge is well worth a visit if you like walking. All the staff support has been tremendous - Elli is lovely and kept the villa spotless. Special thanks to Claire, who helped us out a lot - she can sort out anything!
Jo and Chris
May 2023
Our second visit and it's been as good as before! We've been blessed with beautiful weather all week and the ever-present wind has been very useful keeping us cool. All the folk from Simpson have been brilliant - friendly, professional and attentive. Another great set of memories, and here's to our next visit!
Sue and Tim
October 2022
This has been my favourite stay here yet. I LOVE IT HERE!
Barnaby (aged 11)
August 2022
We have had a wonderful stay here at this villa. It is perfectly located for Kourmenos beach, and the villa and pool is great fun for families. Very well equipped, we have enjoyed lots of swimming in the pool and bbqs in the evenings. Great beach at Hanos, beautiful water and good snorkelling. Thank you to Ellie and Dimitri for keeping the house and pool so beautiful and for doing all our laundry. We hope to be back, Eastern Crete is such a special place, as are the people.
Jodie, James & family
August 2022
Another wonderful stay here after a 3 year break. Loved the beaches, boat trip, food. The bakery in Palekastro didn't disappoint.
Davison family
August 2022
Fabulous holiday with our 2 teenage kids! the beaches are great especially Via and the road to it is beautiful. Best trip was Spinalonga, boat from Elounda. Thanks Simpsons, especially Ellie and Dimitrious.
The Singletons
July 2022
This is our first Simpson holiday and we are impressed by the attention to detail and helpfulness from the staff. We have only been out and about in a limited way as the pool and villa are so good. Palekastro has everything: pharmacy, mini supermarket, tavernas. Everyone is very friendly, approachable and kind. Our last meal at the restaurant on the cliff was superb. It was a special meal for our last night and was the cherry on the top of a great holiday in a great villa.
Angie, Dave, Bob & Ella
June 2022
This is our 3rd Simpson holiday, and yet again it didn't disappoint. Villa and its surroundings are just wonderful. This was to be a 'lazy' holiday with no great long driving trips and we've totally loved it. Overall we've had a wonderful stay, couldn't improve on anything!
Leanne and Alan
May 2022
We really enjoyed our stay. Marian was very friendly and helpful and always available if needed. The cleaner was excellent and she was very helpful and friendly too. We had a wonderful two weeks.
Ian Neal & Pat Dean
September 2019
For us, Villa Palekastro is almost perfect. A peaceful location but close (a 2-minute walk) to a lovely beach with excellent windsurfing and a beach bar where you can get decent food. There is also a restaurant next door serving homely Greek food. Not our first visit and probably won't be out last.
Roger & Sheila
September 2019
We have had an excellent experience with Simpson Travel. Staff have been extremely helpful throughout, particularly the rep and other staff at our accommodation. Thanks for all your help.
Smith Family
August 2019
Wonderful location, looking out onto hills and olive groves, with an empty beach within 5 minutes’ walk. The pool and terrace are lovely, really well maintained – a great place to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet of eastern Crete.
Alan & Paula
May 2019
The Simpson Travel team made sure that everything ran flawlessly from beginning to end, providing a wonderful five star holiday experience with first class back-up if needed. We stayed in two excellent villas, Muses Beach Villas – Cleo and Villa Palekastro that are both in superb locations.
Colin Honour
August 2018
A special mention for Kostoula, representative at the airport – she managed to succeed in getting our extra item accepted at very little cost on the flight home. This would not have happened without her intervention, so many thanks for the trouble she took do this for us. Also, Marian, our regional representative, was very helpful obtaining requested information regarding visiting Spinalonga and providing local area tips. Very nice personal touch bringing local biscuits to initial meeting and leaving water for our journey to the airport.
Jane & Andrew Maiden
May 2018
Just what we needed – an extremely relaxing holiday in a beautiful, authentic part of Crete. This is our second holiday in Crete with Simpson Travel, and this one is definitely the best so far. The villa is great, quiet and beautifully maintained. The location is great, with lots of small tavernas in town to choose from, always with friendly service and a smile. Everywhere we went was no more than 30 minutes away, which meant we could make the most of the villa pool for a lazy breakfast and swim. Thank you to Evie for your great recommendations and the present!
The Bristol Family
October 2017
A great sunny week. The villa is very comfortable and everything was provided for us. We visited all the popular beaches, we swam in the sea every day and a pre-breakfast swim in the pool. Thank you to Evie for her welcome!
The Rushbrookes
October 2017
We booked Villa Palekastro in Crete for myself and my wife. There are two other villas nearby, managed by the owner, but the layout is good as no villa overlooks another. The location is good, near the beach with several good tavernas nearby. The representative was excellent as we have found with all Simpson Travel reps. Booking staff and the overall organisation is excellent and for a villa holiday in the Med we would always use and recommend them. Their local reps are all reliable and we have used Simpson Travel in Corsica twice, Turkey twice and Mallorca once, as well as this time in Crete. The attention to detail is what sets them apart from others.
Mr Le Coyte
September 2017
We have had a lovely time in this beautiful villa. The weather has been perfect and we have enjoyed the pool and local beaches. Evie was incredibly helpful and friendly and Ellie kept the place in great shape. Thanks to all the team who looked after the villa!
Jeremy & Helen
September 2017
This is our first stay in a Simpson Travel villa and our first time in Crete. We have loved them both! The drive over the mountains was really lovely, and then the views of the bright blue seas for the first time were very seducing. We visited Xerokampos which was a beautiful beach, lovely and safe for our 7-year-old. Clear blue sea which is great for snorkelling. There are many little beaches around here so it does not really matter when you turn off the road towards the beach. Then we found Itamos, there is nothing there but beach and sea but it is so beautiful! The snorkelling was great off the beach to the left as you park. We have also enjoyed the villa and swimming pool time also. Thanks also go to Evie for being so helpful and Ellie the maid who was amazing. A week was not enough! Crete and its people have been so lovely.
Ralph, Helen & Barnaby
August 2017
Comfortable, easy villa – close to sea and village. Lovely area, friendly people, great beaches and walking.
Mr McLellan
June 2017
Suffice to say we had a great fortnight! Ellie keeps the place spotless and is always charming and helpful. Her husband looks after the pool and grounds. He's always been friendly too as has the lovely, charming Evie who instantly responded to our texts or WhatsApp messages for any help to ensure we have a great holiday.
John & Dave
June 2017