One moves on Crete on a rental car as well as on buses and taxis.

In every city, there are filling stations working around the clock even on Sunday. Generally speaking, the stations are working till 10 p.m.

ATMs are available in all towns.

Working hours of banks are short. Only 6 hours: from 8 a.m. to 14 p.m., and only on weekdays.

All major credit cards and also checks are accepted in banks, hotels, exchange offices, stores, travel agencies and car rental companies. But in order to cash a check, you must show an identity document.

You should drink bottled water instead of tap water. Water is sold everywhere.

One can get to Crete by comfortable ferries from Athens. They are safe and high-speed. The ferry service is much cheaper than air travel. Ferries run daily. In the season time, there are direct charter flights from many European cities. In the off season, flights from the capitals of the European Union, US cities and Canada, South America and Australia are carried out only to Athens. Regular flights to Crete are carried out only by local airlines from Athens.

In tourist areas, many Cretans speak English or German. At the showrooms and fur ateliers, service people often answer in Russian.

Toilets (WC) are in all institutions. Don’t flush toilet paper, there is a trash can for it at the toilet.

Be sure to have an insurance policy and the insurance valid for Greece. In case of sudden sickness and accident, their owners acquire the right to receive immediate free medical care throughout Greece.

There are no problems with telephone.

In tourist areas, shops are open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and even later with a break for the afternoon nap. After a hearty lunch at about half past two, Cretans rest until five in the evening. All goes quiet, shops and offices close at 2 p.m., open again at five thirty and run until 9 p.m. Cretans have dinner late in the evening.

There is not recommended to visit monasteries and temples in shorts, sleeveless shirts and hats.

July, 2016