We restructured the small original house of our grandparents, introducing design elements in the total respect of the simplicity suggested by the environment. The house is located in a unique traditional village, Rodia, 13 km from Heraklion and only 4 km from the sea. The few houses spread out in the middle of the hill that dominates, above the bay of Heraklion. 
 G O A T vacations, is located in the center of the village, next to the chapel of the Annunciation of Our Lady, with the centuries-old cypress. The choice fits those who are looking for different holidays. To those who seek, beyond the sun and the sea, the experience of daily contact with the real life of the place. Nature, ordinary people, good, genuine, healthy food (some of the good taverns of Heraklion are located on the hill of Rogdia) Staying in this special and genuine place can be the centerpiece of your exploration of Crete every day (at 8 km is the entrance of the National Highway that crosses the whole island). There is an intercity bus, which is 2 times a day, going down to the city of Heraklion. For your better service, it is suggested to rent a car.

We are an Italian-Greek (or ... Greek-Italian) family. We are not Holiday Professionals. We live among Heraklion (downtown), Athens and Florence. This is one of the reasons why we understand the value of this small house. We love design, travelling. We are interested in Architecture. We like this house. We appreciate the village and its people. Pure, simple, quiet, stylish and original place which represents our way of approaching ... life

Rodia (or Rogdia) is a village with less than 1.000 inhabitants. Its distance from Heraklion is about 13 km. It is located on the eastern slopes of the mountain with views of the city and the gulf of Heraklion. The inhabitants are mainly engaged in agriculture (vine growing, olive growing, horticulture, citrus fruit). Rodia is mentioned for the first time in 1248 as Rodea, where it had a pasture at Sfakas Monastery (located near Myrtos). It is also referred to as Chera Rodea in a document of the Chadaka Dukous Archives dating back to 1395. Also noted is Chiera Rodea in a layout of Francesco Bazilikita of 1618. The existence of the settlement during the Venetian domination is also certified by the now-preserved tower, which was the mansion of the feudalists of the region, of the brothers Georgios and Frangiskos Modines, from 1565. This mansion was declared a monument preserved and became the property of the State. Next to the palace is the old church of the Annunciation, Chiera Rodea, mentioned by the Basilicata, from which the village was named. Below the village and a little further north lies the bay of Paleokastro, which was used by the Venetians as alternative port.