The Complete Crete Holiday Checklist
30th May 2014
When you book a stay in one of our Crete holiday villas, we want you to be able to relax and enjoy your stay without any worries. Of course, going away from home always brings with it a few stresses and strains, so we’ve created this checklist to help you be prepared for everything!
Entry Requirements
You need to have a current passport which will be valid for the entire period of your stay. Entry to Greece should not require any further validity than this, but some airlines look for an expiry date that’s at least 6 months from your departure date, so it’s best to check this in advance. British visitors can stay for up to three months without a visa.
Health
Apply for a free European Health Insurance Card before you leave the UK – this entitles you to state provided medical treatment, if it becomes necessary during your stay. It’s not a replacement for proper medical and travel insurance, so make sure that you have these in place, too.
As with any international travel, check with your GP in case any vaccinations are required before you go, and if you take any regular medication make sure that you have a sufficient supply to take with you. Check in case any of your medication is restricted – for example, the painkiller codeine is banned in Greece and Crete, and you would need a doctor’s statement proving that it is necessary to your condition in order to bring it into the country. If your doctor can prescribe an alternate, this may avoid unnecessary hassle.
Insurance
Travel insurance is important wherever you travel – in the case of an accident, your EHIC (mentioned above) will only cover basic medical treatment, not the cost of being flown home or many other associated issues. Compare prices carefully, and choose the most comprehensive policy possible – for example, you may need extra cover if you want to undertake activities like jetskiing or scuba diving. Make sure that you know what is or isn’t covered – many travel insurance policies don’t cover incidents related to drinking.
Documents
If you want to hire a vehicle during your stay, make sure that you have your full driving licence with you, and that all the details are up to date. Make sure that you get up to date maps – some of the more rural roads are unsurfaced and only really suitable for off-road capable vehicles and confident drivers.
Make sure you have all your tickets and confirmations to hand.
Take copies of any essential travel documents in case of emergencies – you can also keep copies on an e-reader, smartphone or tablet, or upload them to a free online service like Dropbox so that you’ll be able to access them anywhere with an internet connection.
Money
The Euro is used throughout Greece and the Greek islands – make sure that you take enough to cover any emergencies, although you will be able to change money easily in larger towns. Although your debit and credit cards will also be commonly accepted, there may be transaction charges – check this with your bank before you travel. You should also contact your bank prior to departure to let them know that you’re going to be spending money abroad – otherwise they may see an unusual pattern of expenditure and block your card.
Home Concerns
Cancel any milk or newspaper deliveries, so that you won’t advertise your absence. You may want to ask a friend to pop by your home every so often to make sure that everything is in order and that your post isn’t piling up by the door; at the very least, you should leave a spare key with someone you trust in case of emergencies. If you have pets, arrange either kennel accommodation or a petsitting service. Unplug electrical appliances before you go, turn the gas off at the meter in summer, and the water off at the mains in winter.
Packing
Before you pack, make sure that you check the current restrictions on hand luggage – double check with the airline or airport that you’re travelling to as well, in case they have different restrictions. Pack sensibly for the weather – in summer, it’s likely to be very warm and sunny, so don’t forget your sunglasses! All of our villas come with linen and towels and you’ll also find a welcome pack of food and drink when you arrive, so that you can relax and enjoy your holiday right from the moment you walk through the door.
By making sure that all these practical concerns are dealt with before you travel, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy your holiday in Crete without any unnecessary worries! For more information on our villas, to check availability or to make a booking, call us on +44 (0) 1444 880 404.