Dear guest,
Welcome to Villa Vasilis! We are delighted to have you here and hope you enjoy your stay with us. In this guide you will find some useful information, tips and recommendations for sights, restaurants and cafes. If there is anything we can do to make your stay more enjoyable, please don’t hesitate to let us know.
Thank you,
Georgios Mathioudakis
About your stay
- Tap water is not drinkable in Bali (as in most places in Crete). You can buy bottled water at very low prices at the supermarket.
- Linen and towels will be changed at least once every 3 days. Free cleaning service is provided once every 3 days too.
- The use of the air-condition is free. Please make sure that all doors are closed when you turn it on. This way the AC will perform better and you protect the earth at the same time.
- Please avoid taking the hotel’s towels to the beach. They are not made for that use, thus they wear out very quickly.
- We try our best to keep the facilities of the hotel in a good condition. However, please let us know if you discover something that we have not.
- Please respect the other guests of the hotel. Quiet hours: 15:00 to 17:30 and 23:00 to 07:00.
- Check-out is until 12:00. This way we can clean the apartment on time for our next visitors.
Getting around in Crete
Driving in Crete might seem a difficult task at first. However, provided you take appropriate care, your trips will be safe and result in great pleasure. In northern Crete there is a highway from Agios Nikolaos to Kastelli (Kissamos) via Heraklion, Rethymnon and Chania. The part from Agios Nikolaos to Sitia is still narrow and has many sharp bends. Away from the north coast the situation changes radically; the roads can become narrow and have blind bends.
Tips while driving in Crete
- Traffic signs throughout Greece are generally in Greek and English. Greece uses internationally recognized traffic control and stop signs.
- Maps are not reliable when it comes to remote areas. If you doubt which direction to go, then look for a local and ask for instructions. People of Crete are helpful and they will do their best to assist you.
- Parking is permitted along most city streets, but vacant places may be difficult to find. In some areas you have to buy and use a Parking Card, which can be bought at a nearby kiosk.
- Speed limits in Crete are as follows: 50 kph in built-up areas and 90 kph on the highway. There are road signs informing you about the speed limits, which vary from one area to another, even without any obvious or logical reason.
- Many gas stations close at 9pm but stations on the highway close much later usually
- A gas station’s staff will fill your vehicle. There are no gas stations where you can buy petrol with your credit card automatically after closing times.
- Αll gas stations accept credit cards.
- There are no emergency telephone devices along the highway in Crete. In case of an emergency you should use your cell phone to dial 112. The number 112 is the same emergency number as found in other European countries and it is a toll-free 24 hour line. Callers to 112 will be able to receive information in English, French and Greek regarding ambulance services, fire brigade, police and the coast guard. Operators will stay on the line in case the tourist requires translation assistance.
- Never leave your staff on visible areas inside your car when you park, especially in remote areas. Thieves may break into your car to steal your belongings.
Recommended in Bali
Beaches
- Evita bay
- Varkotopos beach
- Beach at the port (features water sports, e.g. jet-ski, parasailing, etc.)
Restaurants
- Akrogialli taverna – port of Bali
- Psaropoula taverna – Varkotopos beach
- Porto-paradiso pizzeria (Wood oven) – Varkotopos beach
Cultural experiences
- Atali monastery Bali
- Arkadi monastery
Recommended in Rethymnon
Restaurants
- Bakalogatos restaurant
- Prima Plora restaurant
- Raki Ba Raki
- Avli
Café – Bars
- Bistro 22 café
- Arokaria café
- Fraoules café-bar
- Re-wine wine bar
- Living room café-bar
Cultural experiences
- Fortezza fortress
- Arkadi monastery
- Museum of Ancient Eleftherna
Recommended in Heraklion
Restaurants
- Kouzineri restaurant
- Erganos restaurant
- Ippokampos restaurant
- Parasties restaurant
Café
- Indigo cafe
- Hacienda cafe
- Mare cafe
Wine experiences
- Lyrarakis winery
- Paterianakis winery
- Douloufakis winery
Cultural experiences
- Knossos
- Archeological museum of Heraklion
- Kazantzakis museum
- Natural history museum
- Cretaquarium
Top beaches in Crete
Rethymno
- Souda, Plakias
- Shinaria
- Preveli
- Rodakino
- Bali (Evita bay)
Heraklion
- Psaromoura – Agia Pelagia
- Limanakia – Hersonissos
- Matala
Lasithi
- Voulisma
- Chryssi island
- Kolokytha
- Vai
- Koutsounari
Chania
- Elafonisi beach (gets crowdy at noon)
- Seitan limania (hard to reach the beach but worth it)
- Balos (requires some walking or take the ferry from Kissamos)
- Palaiochora
- Marathi
You can explore all beaches of Crete on www.cretanbeaches.com
Top events during summer
- Houdetsi music festival: Multiple dates – August
- Renaissance festival of Rethymno at Fortezza fortress (music concerts and theater): Multiple dates – June, July, August, September
- Matala beach festival: Multiple dates – June
- Falassarna beach party: August
Some simple Greek phrases
Good morning kaliméra
Good evening kalispéra
Good night kaliníhta
Hello/Goodbye giásas (informal: giásou)
Pleased to meet you hárika polí
Yes ne
No óhi
Thank you efharistó
You’re welcome parakaló
Please parakaló
Okay/All right endáxi
Excuse me (to get attention) me synhoríte
Excuse me (to get past) syngnómi
Please write it down for me Na mou to gráfete parakaló?
How are you? Ti kánete? (informal: Ti kánis?)
Fine, and you? Kalá, esís? (informal: Kalá, esí?)
Cheers/Your health! (when drinking) Giámas!
Could you help me? Boríte na me voithísete?
Can you show me Boríte na mou díxete…
I want… Thélo…
I don’t know Den xéro
I don’t understand Den katálava
Do you speak English? Xérete angliká?
Please say that again Parakaló, xanapésteto
What? ti?
When? póte?
Why? giatí?
Where? pou?
