About CRETE and your daily habits here
Be aware that in many cities in Greece tap water is disinfected with chemicals and has a different taste to which most Europeans are not used to. It is therefore advisable NOT to drink the tap water, but buy bottled water from the supermarkets. Moreover, I would suggest that you use bottled water for cooking too. Because it can be quite hot in summertime, make sure you do drink enough to prevent dehydration. You can brush your teeth with the tap water without any problem.
The sewage pipes are very narrow and they get clogged easily. You should throw the toilet paper into the bin located next to the toilet.
Greece is a sunny country all year round. Especially in the summer, the sun is very strong and you can get burnt or have a sunstroke very easily. You should wear a sun block at all times along with a hat and try to drink a lot of water or juice to keep yourself hydrated. Try not to drink a lot of alcohol when you are in the sun. You will regret it later.
When I am on holidays I have seen a lot of people drinking alcohol like there is no tomorrow. Greeks do drink as well, you will probably have heard about ouzo, the Greek wine, and raki. Our secret is that most of the time we eat and drink at the same time. Another option is not to drink on an empty stomach. Another thing we do after we finish partying is to eat.
For the late hours you can eat vromiko (dirty food) which can be something like a sandwich, a crepe, a hot-dog, souvlaki etc. You will notice that there are a lot of little places serving food that stay open until the early morning hours. Lastly don’t forget to drink water at the same time as the alcohol makes our body dehydrated and of course, don’t drive while being drunk.
Beware that late at nights, there's surely police checking people with alcohol tests everywhere in Crete, especially tourist areas and there's more chance that you get cought if you've had too many drinks, rather than the opposite.
In Greece, the zebra crossing on the roads is just a color pattern. Cars almost never stop to let you pass. So if you want to cross a road head to the traffic lights and if you want to use the zebra crossing, always look that the road is empty before crossing.
Τhere are a lot of military facilities scattered around the island. Taking photos of these facilities is prohibited. It is very well possible that you get cought by the military police and will definitely be thoroughly checked for espionage. This might take days and will surely completely destroy your holiday. It might also cost you bitterly, if you will be forced to buy new return tickets, to fly back home, should the Authorities' investigation last too long.
Also notice, that both International Airports in Crete (in Chania and Heraklion) are military airports as well and photography is prohibited.
Crete is a place full of archaeological sites. Most of them have specific rules that must be obeyed, like no touching of the artifacts and sometimes no flash photography or no photography at all. Just read the signs or if in doubt ask the guard.
Around Crete, there are some beautiful historical churches and monasteries that definitely deserve your visit. Ladies shouldn’t visit if they have bare legs and bare arms although some monasteries do provide cover-ups for the unprepared. So, no shorts, bikinis or sleevless shirts. Take your hat off when you enter a church and do not use flash for photgraphs.
You will find automatic cash machines in bigger towns and cities all over Crete and Greece. Keep in mind that they are not always re-filled during the weekends, so make sure you have some cash left.
will prove valuable if you become ill or have an accident. All residents of European Union countries, who carry a valid E111 form, are entitled to receive free immediate, urgent medical care in Greece.
The standard in Greece is 220V AC (50Hz). Appliances from North America require a transformer and British ones an adaptor.
''Mesimeri'' means noon in Greek. In Crete and Greece, mesimeri is very important. First of all, it lasts longer: from 12:00 until 17:00. The lunch of Greek people is a full, hot meal and they have it at 14:30. Afterwards they enjoy their noon sleep. Never call someone between 14:30 and 17:00, unless he has asked you to do so. Even the law forbids noisy activities during the noon rest period. Shops and offices will close at 14:00 and open again at 17:30 until 21:00. This is the reason why Greek people have dinner late at night.
Unfortunately they are common in Crete. Mosquito repellents are available in supermarkets, such as plug-in anti-mosquito devices with fluid or tablets. A bottle of mosquito repellant will last for 40 nights, but tablets need to be replaced every day. These are excellent for indoors use, but if you need something to keep mosquitoes away from you in your balcony or in a taverna, then use a special lotion or anti-mosquito candles.
To rent a car, the driver needs to hold a valid drivers' licence, which must be issued at least 12 months before car rental. If you are not an EU citizen, then besides your driver's licence, you will also need an international driver's licence issued by your country. Most car rental companies require the driver to be at least 21 years old. Most cars are insured for death, injuries of third parties and damages to third parties.
To rent a 50 cc scooter or moped you need to be 16 years old and have a licence which is issued 1 year before rental. To rent a scooter with more cc's you need to be 18 years old and have drivers' licence for motorbikes. Insurances may be different, so double check before start driving!
Spelling of towns and cities of Crete in road signs and maps is confusing because you will see various different spellings: Heraklion - Irakleion - Iraklion - Iraklio, Chania or Hania, Rethymnon - Rethymno - Rethimno, Sitia or Siteia. Use your creative imagination!!!
Taxis in Crete are a convenient and quite cheap way of moving around. You either pay according to the meter or you agree on a price before you enter the taxi. For long distances, there is always a price list available in the taxi. Ask for it, so that you know how much your trip will cost you.
The local buses are the main public transport in Crete, which is operated by KTEL. Buses are comfortable and provide good and cheap services between the major towns and the tourist resorts.
issued by all the major companies are widely recognized. You can cash your traveller's cheques in all Greek and foreign banks, exchange bureaus and big hotels, but do not forget to have your passport with you. Identification is necessary for the transaction.
Tipping is optional but common at cafes, restaurants, hotel maids, tour guides and taxis. A small amount of money is enough.
The Cretan cuisine has a large variety of dishes: different kinds of starters, also known as mezedes, followed by main dishes, usually either meat or fish with chips. Because of the large variety the Cretan kitchen is probably the most appropriate for vegetarians. Desserts and sweets are a different issue, but definitely worth trying. You should also taste the wines of Crete. You may ask for a bottle of wine or a carafe of house wine (cheaper).
Do not hesitate to ask questions whenever you need assistance or information about something. People of Crete are always helpful and most of them speak English or German in tourist areas. In remote villages it will be a lot more difficult to find someone speaking English and you may have to use hands and feet to make people understand your question. Rest assured though, that you'll definitely make ends meet with the Cretans, no matter what.
In Crete you will find some of the friendliest people who take hospitality seriously. You'll be astounded at just how far locals will go. They have this knack for making you go, wow! And the most amazing part is that it's genuine. It isn’t some formality. To the Cretans – it is a tradition and one they are fiercely proud of. When you are a guest in the hands of a Cretan you will undoubtedly be taken care of.
Notice that no proper Greek meal out with friends and family is complete without bottles upon bottles of Raki... Be prepared!
Banks are open from 8:00 until 14:30 from Monday until Friday.
Public Services are usually open to the public from 07:30 until 13:00 in most cases. This varies greatly, so you had better ask a local for accurate information.
Shops in tourist areas are open from 8:00 until 22:00 or even later but the normal working hours are different in areas non-dependent from tourism, such as remote areas or cities. In cities like Heraklion or Chania the shops are open on Monday 09:00 - 14:00, Tuesday 09:00 - 14:00 and 17:30 - 21:00, Wednesday 09:00 - 14:00, Thursday 09:00 - 14:00 and 17:30 - 21:00, Friday 09:00 - 14:00 and 17:30 - 21:00, Saturday 09:00 - 14:00.
Supermarkets in cities are open from 08:00 until 20:00 from Monday until Friday. On Saturday they close at 18:00.
If you need to buy cigarettes, a chocolate bar, a bottle of water, condoms, newspapers or a magazine you can do that easily at a periptero (kiosk). They are everywhere, even in the smaller towns. In cities there will be several of them open 24 hours a day, usually around the city's centre.
Gas stations close at 21:00 or 22:00. In every city there will be at least one gas station open during the night or on Sundays.