Are basic food provisions available upon arrival?

 

Yes, see Starter Grocery Packs

Is there a babysitting service available? Are there any baby cots available?

 

Yes, upon request. Babysitting rates range between 20 € and 40€, depending on duration. Yes, baby cots and chairs are available.

What is the minimum reservation?

 

One week.

When are the pools available for use? Are they heated? What are their dimensions?

 

The pools can be used from the beginning of your lease period until the end of November; they are not heated but the water temperature is mild (see more Climate and Weather). The detailed presentation of each villa mentions the dimensions of the pools. There is no lifeguard and therefore extreme caution is required in the case of little children or persons who do not know how to swim.

Are beach/pool towels provided?

 

No.

Are the villas air-conditioned?

 

All the villas have hot and cold air-conditioning units in every bedroom and living room apart from the villa Ostria, which does not have an air-conditioning unit in the living room of the guesthouse (it is quite cool anyway).

Are the villas suitable for children?

 

Yes, however young children should always be under the proper supervision of adults since all the villas have interior staircases leading to the bedrooms; The Villa Ostria and the Villa Calypso require more attention because apart from the interior staircases there are also exterior ones. It is therefore advisable that children staying in the villas must be of a certain age that will permit them to be able to take care of themselves as well.

Can I hire a speedboat? How much does it cost?

 

You can hire a speedboat together with a driver. It is difficult to drive a speedboat on your own, given that you are required by law to have a driver's permit approved by the Greek State. The cost depends on the excursion package: it begins at 80€ and depending on the duration it may reach 120€.

Can I make a reservation for one week in one villa and one week in another one?

 

Yes, upon availability of the requested villas. In this case, special rates apply.

Can we cross the Samaria Gorge?

 

Yes, we highly recommend that you do. It is a unique experience, one that you will never forget.

Can we have a meal prepared for us upon our arrival?

 

Yes, but be sure to let us know the exact time of your arrival and the number of guests. Served food includes exclusively traditional dishes of Cretan cuisine.

Can we have a personal cook?

 

No. However, you may ask the villa caretaker to have food delivered at the villa. A large selection of Cretan traditional dishes can be prepared by a village family that uses fine ingredients.

Can we stay at the villas without renting a car?

 

If what you are looking for is total relaxation, then yes. Many of our guests have done the same thing so far. You can go to the beach and the tavern on foot, you can order cooked food at home, and you can have your villa caretaker bring you supplies from the local supermarket. He can also take you to some sights and beaches in the area as a taxi is not easily found.

Can we take part in local events?

 

It is the best way to experience local culture and customs. Your villa caretaker will let you know what type of events is scheduled every week.

Can we visit Knossos?

 

Yes, a daily excursion to Knossos is definitely a must for anyone who wants to really get to know Crete.

Can you book airplane tickets for us?

 

No.

Can you rent a car on our behalf?

 

No. However, we cooperate with a car rental agency whose owner is our relative; so, we can provide our guests with full service, special rates, new cars, special service in the case of car trouble during your holidays, details and information on itineraries etc.

Do the villas have autonomy and privacy?

 

Yes, they all do.

Do we need a car?

 

Yes, you do. We cooperate with the company  which provides our customers with special rates for renting a car as well as all the necessary information and maps of the area for easy access to the villas. If you wish to explore the region, we recommend you hire a jeep.

How can we access the villa?

 

See the Directions to Reach the Villas on our site for a detailed description and a map of the area. The recommended route is the shortest and the easiest one.

How can we get the keys to the villa?

 

You will find the key in the keyhole. If you let us know the exact time of your arrival, the villa caretaker will be waiting for you to show you around the villa. Otherwise, he will call on you at some point on the day of your arrival.

How can we go to Santorini and Mykonos from West Crete?

 

You can go to Mykonos by plane via Athens and to Santorini by boat from the Port of Heraklio. You can issue your ferry tickets as soon as you arrive on Crete.

How far away from the sea are the villas?

 

Villa Calypso = 60 m

Villa Neptune = 81 m

Villa Ostria = 182 m

Villa Nautilus = 205 m

How far away is the airport?

 

It is a 72km drive from the airport of Hania (approximately 1h 30min) and a 150km drive from the airport of Heraklion (approximately 2h 30 min - 3h).

How is the payment concluded?

 

By bank deposit or credit card. The credit card option bears a surcharge of 2%. Find out more at the Payment Procedure content item.

How often are sheets and towels changed?

 

For a one week reservation, sheets and towels are changed once ; if your reservation is for more than one week, sheets and towels are changed twice a week,

If we need to come earlier than scheduled, can you book a hotel for us?

 

No, however the car rental agency that cooperates with us can provide you with all the necessary information.

Is it very hot during the summer?

 

Not really. The area has a microclimate that resembles that of the Aegean islands (Mykonos, Santorini): in the summer, there are etesian winds (meltemi winds) that keep the temperature at low levels.

Is spring a good season in the area?

 

The climate of Crete is very mild and it is therefore suitable for holidays all year round. During the summer and autumn, the visitors mainly want to enjoy the beautiful beaches, the sun and the sea of Crete.

Spring is the ideal time for exploring the natural beauties of Crete. The weather is usually very good, with mild temperature allowing a number of activities. Nature is at its peak. The combination of the blue sky and the sea, the green plains, the wild flowers and the snow on the mountains form an impressive picture. This is the best time if you want to cross the Samaria gorge, the gorge of Agia Irini or one of the numerous other gorges of the area, as well as walk on the European Walking Path E4.

Always a good time to visit Crete is during the big festivities of the orthodox church. Greek Easter, which is usually celebrated after the Easter of the catholic church, is a fantastic time for a stay in Crete. During Easter week, there are daily masses in all the churches, and they are usually well attended. Good Friday is a very colourful day, because on the Friday before Easter the Epitaph, beautifully decorated with flowers, is being carried through the village and the locals throw rose petals from their courtyards and balconies.

Is the area safe for foreigners?

 

Crete is famous for the hospitality of its people. They will offer you tsikoudia in local coffee shops, they will invite you to their homes if you get to know them better and you will feel that you can go about with absolute safety and security during your stay.

Is there an internet connection?

 

Yes, there is satellite wireless connection together and a computer. You may, of course, bring your own computer if you wish, since your connection is wireless. Free use.

Is there any feedback from previous guests?

 

See the Points of Interest - Beaches content item.

Use of air-conditioning

 

We recommend limited use of the air-conditioning units, especially during the night; it is better to have a window open during the night because the extended use of air-conditioning may cause you health problems such as ear problems, sore throats etc and ruin your holidays. Also, we advise you not to use the air-conditioning with open doors and windows. The island suffers from an energy problem and irrational use of air-conditioning may cause electricity cuts.

What are the arrangements for cleaning? Can we have extra cleaning services?

 

What are the flights to Hania and Heraklion?

 

See the Flights to Crete content item.

What is the check-in and check-out time?

 

You are advised to check-in between 14:00 and 22:00. If you arrive after 22:00, the caretaker will be obliged to wait for you to give you your keys, in which case there is an extra charge of 15€. Check-out time is not specified unless there is another check-in on the same day, in which case you are advised to check out at 10:00 so that the staff has plenty of time to clean the villa.

What is the climate like in the area?

 

Please, see the Climate and Weather content item.

What is your cancellation policy?

 

It is detailed in the contract content item.

What kind of activities and sports are available in the area?

 

Hiking on special mountain paths, swimming, fly fishing, basketball in the village of Livadia, water sports on nearby organized beaches, small cruise by boat from Kastelli to Ballos and Gramvousa.

Where can we find a taverna and a supermarket?

 

There are some tavernas at a 300m - 2.5km distance from the villas (for more details see Food - Restaurants, Shopping - Gas), a small supermarket in the village of Livadia and larger ones in the village of Platanos and in Kissamos.

Which areas, beaches and sights are worth visiting during our stay?

 

Find out more information at the Info and Services menu and the suggested links with information about Hania.

Which is the best villa for young children?

 

The Villa Nautilus and the Villa Neptune without question! Both villas have a huge pool with a shallow section for children. The Villa Nautilus has an extremely large surrounding area of 1.500sq.m. with lawn, where the children can play freely.