WINTER IN CRETE
our apologies but we no longer offer winter holidays
The absence of direct flights to Crete in the winter means the island returns to the people of Crete. It becomes an unspoilt paradise . The roads are quiet and the queues for natural and man made attractions have disappeared . Car hire is cheap . It gives you the opportunity to see Crete at its natural best .
A longer stay means that you do not feel rushed and under pressure to cram your sightseeing into one or two weeks. You are able to absorb Cretan life and become as relaxed as the local people.
The village of Fodele is a throw back to a long-lost way of life, reminiscent of the 1950's. It is very leisurely and the ideal venue to leave stresses behind and to restore your energies.
If you miss the lack of spirituality in modern life, the Greek orthodox Church is an important part of Cretan traditions. In April, we sat in the Taverna watching the local children and adults making the Palm Crosses from local leaves for their Good Friday procession two days later . They celebrate Easter at a different time .
a nearby modern Church
The cost of living is lower and it will save you money to winter in Crete. You can save money as well as avoiding the extremes of Britsh weather. We just ask you to do your own cleaning and laundry using the washing machine , clothes drier and iron/ironing board provided.
We have made our holiday home in Crete comfortable yet with low levels of maintenance. It has modern facilities so you can continue the lifestyle you enjoy back home .
Fodele is a working village and unlike the tourist resorts does not close down in the winter. You will be able to share the village life and enjoy the cost benefits of eating out in the tavernas and drinking the local wine and Raki. The photograph below shows local residents Vangelis and "Smoothy George" giving one of their impromptu musical evenings. It is a lovely mixture of music and Greek philosophy.
Wake up each morning to the view shown below. The photograph was taken from the roof terrace but it is the same view as the front bedroom balcony.
You do not need to yearn for the urban comforts because Heraklion is only 20 minutes away.
Shopping is straightforward . There are little "supermarkets" in the village. However, Carrefour and Makro are also in easy reach . If your wallet was suffering withdrawal symptoms , you can always visit Heraklion.
We have not furnished Daisy as a characterless holiday home. We have made it a homely place with modern facilities so that you can continue the lifestyle that you enjoy at home. The interior and garden is low maintenance. The furnishings a blend of English design and Cretan style
Some of our winter guests have chosen Daisy for a winter let as they are contemplating retirement in Crete. Fodele is centrally placed in Crete and it is well connected to other areas in Crete. In fact interested guests might like to consider Fodele itself as a retirement location ?!
the cove at Bali is well worth a visit
The village is in a very rural setting and this makes it an ideal location for those of us with specialised interests such as bird watching , painting , walking,climbing etc. You may wish to look for Fodele on Google Earth.
You can choose to invite your friends over for for a short break by hiring another property in Mandarin Grove. It will likely be next door and it is very easy to arrange.
Mandarin Grove is an excellent location for larger groups who may wish to hire multiple properties for the purposes of a specialised holiday. What could be nicer for those interested in oil painting to be based in the birthplace of El Greco? Alternatively the famous archeological sites that are found in Crete could also be the basis of a holiday. Those very special birthdays and wedding anniversaries can be celebrated in the village. We have not had an English wedding there...yet !
It may be possible to link up with the many cruise ships that stop at Heraklion, so you have a "two centre holiday".
There is a very small British community consisting of 10 people in Fodele . They will be pleased to meet you but at the same time they will respect your desire for privacy. The ethos of Crete is totally different from Spain .
The Cretan diet is known to be very healthy with its emphasis on olive oil and home grown produce. There is no better reason for visiting Crete. Give your body and soul a thorough detox. However if that is not your intention you can consider a full English breakfast every morning at Smoothy George. For those of you with legal minds it will be minus blackpuddings so you would need to bring a supply with you. Return to the UK with new vigour shrugging off the rain and Gordon Brown with great ease.
If none of this appeals, just remember that raki and sleep go together and that the home made raki is very cheap ! You may even wish to warm the raki up and add some local honey. It is very good for colds and is recommended even if you are without any virus at all. They sell it in the village in plastic water bottles for 5 Euros a bottle.
YOU WILL BE MADE VERY WELCOME !
