Private Stays

You will enjoy the privacy of your own studio or villa. We don’t live permanently in Crete, but when we are away, our housekeepers, Isobel and Walter, make sure everything is perfectly taken care of. Check-in and check-out are self-service.

You can prepare breakfast and other meals in the kitchenette indoors or at the outdoor counter. In the nearby villages of Gavalochori and Vamos (2–3 km), as well as in the coastal towns of Almyrida and Kalives, you’ll find bakeries, small grocery shops, and lovely restaurants.

Arrival & Departure

  • Check-in: from 4:00 PM on the day of arrival.
  • Check-out: before 10:00 AM on the day of departure, so we have time to prepare the accommodation for the next guests.

We kindly ask that you leave the property by this time. If you’ve booked multiple studios, please return cutlery, glasses, bowls, etc. to the correct studio before departure.

Keys

  • Studios: The key to your studio is in a lockbox with a code, right by your front door. You’ll have received the code with your reservation. Please return the key to the lockbox when you check out.
  • Villa: The key for the villa works the same way — you’ll find it in a coded lockbox at the front door. Please return it to the lockbox after your stay.

The Gate

The sheep and goats grazing around the house add to the charm of the place. However, they sometimes like to sneak in and eat the plants we’ve carefully planted. To avoid surprises, please make sure the roadside gate is always properly closed.

There is a private parking area inside the gate where your car will be safe.

The Shutters

To open the shutters:

  1. Keep them closed and press the white button sideways.
  2. Turn the handle 90° towards you.
  3. Open the shutter with the handle first by pushing it away from you.
  4. Then open the second shutter the same way.

Linen

Bed, bath, and kitchen linen are provided for you. Please bring your own pool and beach towels. Cleaning and fresh linen are provided once a week.

Water

The tap water in both the studios and the villa is safe to drink. For hot water, let the tap run for about one minute, as the water heated by the solar panels comes from a distance.

Freezer

A shared freezer is available for guests. You’ll find it under the stairs of the studios, behind the olive-green cupboard.

Electricity

The electricity supply is 220 volts AC, the same as in Belgium, with identical socket types. In case of a power outage, please check the circuit breakers:

  • Each studio has its own.
  • The villa has its own.
  • There is a common one under the studio stairs.
  • Another is located under the villa’s outside stairs.
  • Finally, there is a main switchboard near the property gate.

If the problem persists, please contact the housekeepers.

Air Conditioning – Studios

The air conditioning in the studios works with a remote control. You’ll find an instruction manual in your studio. Please note that both the air conditioning and heating only function when doors and windows are closed. When using the system for heating in cooler weather, allow a few minutes for it to start up before you feel warm air. Cooling and heating respond quickly once turned on, so there’s no need (and it’s wasteful) to leave the air conditioning running when you are not at home. A simple alternative to keep your studio cool is to close the shutters on the west-facing side during the afternoon sun. And of course, a refreshing dip in the pool is always a delight on hot days!

Air Conditioning – Villa

The villa’s air conditioning is controlled by thermostats located in the living room and both bedrooms. On the top side of the unit, you’ll find an on/off button. Use the display to set your preferred temperature. The main controller is the thermostat in the downstairs bedroom. From here, you can choose between heating and cooling for the entire house.

Wind

From time to time, strong winds can pick up quite suddenly. For safety:

  • Always close parasols when leaving the house and in the evenings.
  • Do not use parasols during heavy winds.
  • Keep in mind that air mattresses, towels, and lightweight items (like plastic bowls) can easily be blown away.

Before going out, make it a habit to secure windows, doors, and shutters with the hooks provided.

Fire Safety

Smoking indoors is not allowed. Please be extra careful with open flames outside, and never use the barbecue when it’s windy. For safety, garden hoses are connected at every outdoor counter. You’ll also find a fire blanket and a fire extinguisher in every studio and in the villa.

Waste & Recycling

There is no household waste collection service. Please take your rubbish to the large waste containers located along the roadside at the edge of the villages. Do not leave food scraps outside, as they attract insects and nocturnal animals. Recycling in Greece is still limited, but there is a glass container in the Vamos parking area (near Marouvas).

Breakages & Damage

A broken glass or plate can happen to anyone — no worries! If something gets damaged, just let us know so we can fix it with a smile for the next guests. We don’t ask for a deposit; we simply rely on a little fair play (and no Greek drama 😉).

Swimming & Safety on the Property

  • Please always be careful, especially with children, whether they can swim or not.
  • Supervision is always necessary, and using the pool is entirely at your own responsibility.

The house and garden are private property. Unlike public areas, not everything is perfectly secured or fenced off. There are stairs, level differences, and railings to be aware of.

  • The terrace of the studio “Between Heaven and Earth” is not safe for small children.
  • The railing of the studio “In Love with Olives” also requires extra attention.

Please also note that oleander and some other plants in the garden are poisonous — keep this in mind with children. Ultimately, each guest is responsible for their own safety and that of their children.

Housekeepers – Isobel & Walter

If you encounter any problems during your stay, our English-speaking housekeepers, Isobel and Walter, are your first point of contact:

  • Walter (mobile): +30 69440 62434
  • Isobel (mobile): +30 69405 41871

For urgent matters, you can also reach us directly:

  • Annemie (mobile): +32 476 547 267
  • Thierry (mobile): +32 478 424 784

Phone & Mobile Use in Greece

  • The country code for Greece is +30 (or 0030 when dialing from Belgium).
  • Greek numbers use a 2x5-digit code.
  • Mobile numbers begin with 69 followed by 8 digits.
  • Landline numbers in Chania begin with 28210 + 5 digits.
  • Landline numbers in Kalives begin with 28250 + 5 digits.

Emergency Numbers

  • Vamos Health Center (open 24/7, nearby): 28252 25803
  • Fire Brigade: 199
  • Police: 100

Additional important phone numbers can be found inside the electrical cabinet at the bottom of the stairs near the studios.

Shopping & Opening Hours

  • Banks are open on weekdays from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. You’ll find ATMs in Vamos, Almyrida, and Kalives.
  • Shops in the towns are open Monday to Saturday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and also on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
  • Tourist shops in town and local village stores are usually open all day.
  • Supermarkets stay open during midday and remain open until late.
  • Museums often have irregular schedules, so it’s best to check in advance. The new Archaeological Museum of Chania (highly recommended!) is clear: closed on Tuesdays, open all other days from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Local Shopping

  • Vamos & Gavalochori: fresh bakeries and several small grocery shops.
  • Almyrida: at the entrance to the village (coming from Kalives), you’ll find a great little grocery store called The Pear Tree. It’s run by Christina, originally from Roeselare in Belgium. Here you can buy beautiful fruit and fresh vegetables, herbs, olive oil, wine, and raki straight from the barrel.
  • Armeni (just below Kalives): the local butcher is the best place for cheese (and meat). Try the barrel-aged feta (vareli), young and aged graviera (similar to Gruyère), fresh creamy mizithra, and local yagourti. If you’re in the mood, enjoy a drink afterwards at the authentic kafenion across the street with the local Cretans.
  • Supermarket: the closest large supermarket is Synka in Kalives, on the coastal road to Chania.

Dining Out: Taverns & Restaurants

When you come to Greece — and Crete in particular — good food is part of the experience. Dining etiquette here is quite different from Belgium, the Netherlands, or France. What matters most is the relaxed atmosphere and enjoying time together — what the French call la convivialité and the Greeks call kano pareiaMeals are casual, sometimes with your feet in the sand at the beachside taverns of Almyrida or Kalives. For Greeks, “breakfast” is usually just a hot or iced café frappé, enjoyed while on the move. Later in the morning, they might have a koulouri — a sesame bread ring. As a visitor, you can eat at taverns or restaurants at almost any time of day, but Greeks themselves prefer dining late in the evening, even after 11:00 PM in summer.

  • Bread and cutlery are served in a basket at the table.
  • There’s no strict order of courses. Small dishes, called mezedes, are shared by everyone at the table. Don’t be fooled though — portions are much larger than Spanish tapas.
  • Dishes arrive from the kitchen as they’re ready — usually cold mezedes first, then warm ones, followed by stews and grilled dishes. Sometimes the table is cleared in between.
  • Don’t order dessert. Instead, ask for the bill (to logariasmó, parakaló). You’ll almost always be treated to a complimentary dessert, often accompanied by plenty of raki. Yasas!
  • When you’re finally done, just ask for the check — it’s usually very reasonable.

Internet

The Wi-Fi password is eleftheria, which means freedom. Inside the villa you’ll also find a second and third network with the same password. Our Wi-Fi does its best, but sometimes it takes a little siesta or struggles with the thick studio walls. You may notice it being slow or occasionally dropping out. Take it as an invitation to set the screens aside and enjoy the moment 🌞📵. If the Wi-Fi really decides to go on holiday, you’ll find a reset button and fuse box in the cabinet by the property gate.

Time Difference

Greece is one hour ahead of Belgium. When you arrive, simply add one hour to your watch. The switch between summer and winter time follows the same schedule as at home.

TERUG