Serres, a northern town in Greece, boasts more christmas lights adorning more houses than ever before. Of course Thessaloniki has a better than ever eye-catching array and display. Athens does not lose your Christmas joy attention for a second.
But this year – slowly surely there is more for the festive feet…in Crete!
The welcome is near and the lights bring good cheer – the big island of Greece has mustered more light
bulbs and decor for you and me – is it Santa I see in that old olive tree! ?

Well Merry, to you and who and who – we wish you good cheer – Kales Yiortes – have fun in the snow or the sun and a Happy and Rewarding New Year.

Greetings to all in the land of the free, the good and the bold – Happy Thanksgiving America. We thank you at this time, for what you give to those within and outside your own fair lands. From New Hampshire to Arizona, from Minnesota to South Dakota, from Honolulu to the San Diego zoo – enjoy the holiday and come visit us next year!

Updated in October 2005 is the feature on Crete’s weather which shows this year by month, typical monthly weather you can expect and an archive of weather as experienced in Crete in 2003 and 2004.

http://www.cretetravel.com/weather_Crete.htm

It is early afternoon on 10 October and raining….but then we have not had a true “rainy day” for months. Crete offers wonderful, sometimes dramatic – in a tame sort of way, weather, which is a bit on the damp side in winter (humid but not by any means often rainy). It is most enjoyably mild to hot and sunny from April to the end of September and beyond.
Many Christmas day lunches can be had outside if you are in some of the mildest spots on the island.

According to that bastion of science fact, Britain’s Daily Mirror newspaper, the UK Meteorological office predicts a cold winter.

December and January may just be warmer all the way south in Europe’s warmer climes – Crete!

The Mirror’s Martin Fricker says: The Met Office has sent a severe weather warning to energy firms, predicting “significantly colder than average” December and January (UK Daily Mirror 19 September 2005)

September has repeatedly proven to be a great month to visit Crete – crowds are gone, but you are not alone, sizzling, scorching heat has faded, but it’s still hot and evenings are warm and ideal for those by-the-water evening dinners.

Some of the most special small hotels are pretty full in September but many of the normal cookie-cutter types have rooms to spare.
This is the month for the independent traveller, those just setting out to make the best trip they can within a reasonable budget and those just setting out again to enjoy the best and most lavish but characterful treats the big island has to offer.

Who offers the sort of expert, first hand, on-the-spot, friendly, knowledgeable, wholesome, honest advice and suggestions so at least you know you will stay in a fabulous small hotel or a ticklishly delightful villa, or even a spruce studio on a quite and isolated beach ? Who knows Crete but will understand you? Who cares that you really enjoy this massive offering of an island?

A hint – a big hint – http://www.CreteHotelRooms.com and the http://www.CreteTravel.com team

Blowing our own trumpet? Well if it\’s true – flaunt it! We’d love to see you happily wandering the mountain roads and slowly winding your way down to that hotel you will always treasure.
We love what we do when we help you and it shows – read what others say> http://www.crete-hotels-rooms.com/Help/testimonials.htm

Have a Splendid Labor day and wherever you are…have a great stay!

Happy July and for those in the American lands – an advance Independence day greeting from us!

July has started its fabulous month with 30 degree temperatures (a bit above normal and soon we expect, to cool a little) – it’s breezy and hot, just wonderful.

The job described as a “New York Job In Crete” is waiting a suitable candidate http://www.cretetravel.com/Wanted/Careers_Cretetravel.htm …. ANEK are providing daytime sailings between Pireas (Athens) and Chania in Crete on most dates in July and August, these are additional to overnight runs already scheduled and offer free car passage to those booking a return (round-trip)….three companies are plying the Heraklion to Santorini route this Summer, so it’s easier to get from there to Crete…..the USA July issue of Conde Nast Traveler has a story about a trip in Crete all of which was planned and designed, by http://www.CreteHotelsRooms.com (part of the CreteTravel.com group) for and with the author.

A little more expensive! Taxis now “start their clocks” or initial metered charge to get in and sit down (!) at 0.85 Euros (85 cents) and then it’s 30 cents a kilometre locally and during the day.
The extra charge taking a taxi to or from an airport is 2.00 Euros, from rail stations, port areas and bus stations it is an extra charge of 80 cents.

The main junction on the New National Road (sic) at Heraklion, still retains traffic lights but the widened 4 lane bridge to the east has eased traffic flow at this bottleneck. It looks like it will be many months at best however, before the traffic lights are completely eliminated and this section deserves the title of “New National Road” and results in the free flowing traffic the moniker suggests.
At Rethymno progress is more advanced – traffic lights have been removed, but there is still a detour in play until new sections of underpass for the main road are complete. I estimate completion around July this year (but I’m not betting on it!).

Spring flowers brighten up the landscape – yellow, purple, red and violet colours can be spotted in between old buildings and on some wild scapesof Crete – the very earliest signs of spring flowers welcoming the next season of our island year. All this highlighted by the laquered, white icing of snow on the mountops.

Two masterfully refurbished – from remains and rubble – traditional houses are now available to rent in Crete\’s most gorgeous villages — yes they are that good!

Dorovinis Country houses are set in the village of Anotoli on Crete’s south coast inland from Ierapetra.
Created by an expert in the architectural heritage, restoration, renovation and conservation of buildings and evn whole villages in Greece – they are smart, exquisitley furnished and crafted. Great views, terraces and many nooks and sitting areas. Style abounds.
CreteTravel.com and their CreteHotelRooms.com offer these together with the fabled service, advice and knowledge which has set a new standard in travel to Crete. Tempted? Take a look:
http://www.crete-hotels-rooms.com/Reservations/Dorovinis_Houses.htm

Abelos Villas provides two neighbouring houses in an estate rich with fruit trees, flowers, a large swiimming pool and views to the sea in the historic village of Roustica, inland from Rethymno, yet just a 25 minute drive from the south coast.
http://www.crete-hotels-rooms.com/Reservations/Abelos_Villa.htm

CreteTravel.com with their Crete-Hotels-Rooms.com have the tastiest places to stay in Crete and a superb level of service, advice, suggestions that come from another age. They are also donating one Euro to support the Indian Ocean Tsunami relief for every single reservation completed in January 2005.