Children

If you travel with your children to Crete and you want to keep them happy and busy, then take them to a playground or to a waterpark. There are 4 waterparks in Crete: Star Beach and Aqua Plus in Hersonissos, Watercity in Anopolis (14 km east of Heraklion) and Limnopoulis in the outskirts of Chania. The Crete Aquarium in Gournes is another interesting idea, as well as the smaller aquarium in Hersonissos, which also features reptiles and turtles. Karting, donkey riding or horseback riding is also available in many areas in Crete.

Credit Cards

All major Credit Cards as well as Euro-cheques are recognized and accepted in most hotels, shops, travel and car rental agencies and restaurants in Crete. Stickers in the front windows will advise you as to which cards are acceptable.

Currency

The currency in Greece, like most of the European countries is the Euro (€), which comes in 7 different banknotes of 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 euro and 8 different coins; 2 and 1 euro, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cent. The euro replaced the Greek drachma or "thrahmi" (th as in this) in 2002. Euro is pronounced as "evro" (e as in egg) in Greek. If you think that the Greek pronunciation is funny, then perhaps you should consider that Euro comes from Europe which comes from the Greek word "Evropi".

Disabled People

People in a wheel chair may find it difficult to move around in Greece. Narrow streets with no or tiny sidewalks and cars parked on both sides are common problems in many towns. Things have improved in bigger towns and cities, but there is still a lot to be done. Wheelchair and disabled - friendly hotels are also rare in Crete.

Dress code in monasteries and churches

No shorts, bikinis or sleevless shirts. Take your hat off when you enter a church and do not use flash for photgraphs.

Drinking tap water

Be aware that in many cities in Greece tap water is disinfected with chemicals and has a different taste to which most Europeans are not used to. It is therefore advisable not to drink the tap water, but buy bottled water from the supermarkets. Because it can be quite hot in summertime, make sure you do drink enough to prevent dehydration. You can brush your teeth with the tap water without any problem. Ask your hotel receptionist for precise information.

Driving in Crete might seem a daunting prospect at first. However, provided you take appropriate care your trips will be safe and result in enormous pleasure. In Greece we drive on the right side of the roads and all road signs are bilingual (Greek and English).

E111 form will prove valuable if you become ill or have an accident. All residents of European Union countries, who carry a valid E111 form, are entitled to receive free immediate, urgent medical care in Greece.

Electric Current

The standard in Greece is 220V AC (50Hz). Appliances from North America require a transformer and British ones an adaptor.

Fishing

Fishing in Crete is a popular activity, although you will probably be disappointed by the size of fish you will catch. Please remember that you need a fishing license from the port authorities, but if you avoid fishing in a port, then it is unlikely to have any problems.

Greek Food and Wines

The Greek cuisine has a large variety of dishes: different kinds of starters, also known as mezedes, followed by main dishes, usually either meat or fish with chips. Because of the large variety the Greek kitchen is probably the most appropriate for vegetarians. Desserts and sweets are a different issue, but definitely worth trying. You should also taste the wines of Crete and other areas of Greece. You may ask for a bottle of wine or a carafe of house wine (cheaper).

Hotel bookings

Although most tourists have pre-booked their holiday accommodation in a flight package deal, it is also possible to find a room upon arrival (not advisable with a late night arrival). Almost all over Crete "rooms to let"' signs can be found. The standard of these rooms can vary, but it might give you the opportunity to get closer to the Cretans than most other people. However if you visit Crete in July and August, you may find all hotels occupied, so pre-booking for the high season is preferrable.

Internet Cafes

There are plenty of Internet Cafes, even in small towns in Crete. The rate is 2 Euro per hour (Heraklion, April 2008). Prices may be higher in smaller towns.

Jobs in Crete

Many young people from Europe get a summer job in Crete, usually as waiters in bars and cafes or as reps in travel agencies. In order to get a job in Crete you will need to have a friend looking for you or you had better visit Crete in the beginning of the season, usually in April, and look for it by yourself. You should also find a place to stay, as accommodation is not included in most cases. You should be warned though, that your employers expect you to work hard for your salary and working 7 days a week for 5-6 months is not so much fun.

Mesimeri means noon. In Crete and Greece, mesimeri is very important. First of all, it lasts longer: from 12:00 until 17:00. The lunch of Greek people is a full, hot meal and they have it at 14:30. Afterwards they enjoy their noon sleep. Never call someone between 14:30 and 17:00, unless he has asked you to do so. Even the law forbids noisy activities during the noon rest period. Shops and offices will close at 14:00 and open again at 17:30 until 21:00. This is the reason why Greek people have dinner late at night.

Mosquitoes

Unfortunately they are common in Crete. Mosquito repellents are available in supermarkets, such as plug-in anti-mosquito devices with fluid or tablets. A bottle of mosquito repellant will last for 40 nights, but tablets need to be replaced every day. These are excellent for indoors use, but if you need something to keep mosquitoes away from you in your balcony or in a taverna, then use a special lotion or anti-mosquito candles. You might even consider bringing a mosquito-net.

Nature in Crete

Crete is an island with many different faces. About 2000 species of plants, flowers or trees are growing in Crete, on the mountains as well as in the valleys. A large number of animals are living in and around Crete, some of which are protected by law.

Newspapers

Most foreign newspapers and foreign magazines can be bought in small supermarkets or kiosks.

Nai is the greek word for Yes. Gesture for Nai: move your head downwards.

Ohi is the greek word for No. Gesture for Ohi: move your head upwards. Even an upwards movement of the eyebrows is enough for No.

Passport or ID-card

According to the Schengen Agreement you can travel in EU countries with a valid passport or ID card as an EU citizen. Make sure that any children travelling with you either have their own passport or ID card or are registered on yours.

Ports in Crete

The main Crete ports are located in Souda bay (close to Chania), Heraklion city, Rethymnon town, Agios Nikolaos and Sitia. If you want to travel by ferry, then you can take the ferry from/to Piraeus to/from one of the above cities. From Crete there are also ferries to Santorini and various other Greek islands. Travelling by ferry is more affordable (not always) than travelling by plane and the ships are modern, safe and fast. They depart late at night and arrive early in the morning of the next day. There are day trips also and the fare is reduced compared to night trips. LINKS: Anek Lines, Minoan Lines

If you want to visit the island of Gavdos, then you will take the local ferry from Paleochora or Sfakia. The same applies if you want to travel from Kastelli (Kissamos) in west Crete to Kithira island and south Peloponnese.

Prices in Crete

Public transport

The local buses are the main public transport in Crete, which is operated by KTEL. Buses are comfortable and provide good and cheap services between the major towns and the tourist resorts.

Questions

Do not hesitate to ask questions whenever you need assistance or information about something. People of Crete are always helpful and most of them speak English or German in tourist areas. In remote villages it will be a lot more difficult to find someone speaking English and you may have to use hands and feet to make people understand your question.

Rent a car

To rent a car, the driver needs to hold a valid drivers' licence, which must be issued at least 12 months before car rental. If you are not an EU citizen, then besides your driver's licence, you will also need an international driver's licence issued by your country. Most car rental companies require the driver to be at least 21 years old. Most cars are insured for death, injuries of third parties and damages to third parties.

Rent a moped or scooter

To rent a 50 cc scooter or moped you need to be 16 years old and have a licence which is issued 1 year before rental. In Holland this licence is called "brommerrijbewijs". To rent a scooter with more cc's you need to be 18 years old and have drivers' licence for motorbikes. Insurances may be different, so double check before start driving!

Safety box

Although Cretans are famous for their honour, including that they don't steal, other tourists and other nationalities will be around as well. It is advisable to rent a safety box; better safe than sorry!

Spelling of towns and cities of Crete in road signs and maps is confusing because you will see various different spellings: Heraklion - Irakleion - Iraklion - Iraklio, Chania or Hania, Rethymnon - Rethymno - Rethimno, Sitia or Siteia. Use your creative imagination.

Sports and activities

In Crete you may enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities, from walking in the countryside to hiking, trekking on mountains higher than 2000 meters, rock climbing, ice climbing, fishing, hunting, bird watching, water skiing, scuba diving, snorkelling, sea kayaking, windsurfing, horseback riding, even bungee jumping. In Hersonissos there is an 18-hole golf course, and bigger hotels have a gym and/ or a tennis court.

Taxis

Taxis in Crete are a convenient and quite cheap way of moving around in Crete. You either pay according to the meter or you agree on a price before you enter the taxi.

Telephone

Local and international calls can be made from public cardphone booths and kiosks (periptera) equipped with meters. For the cardphone booths you will need a telecard, which can be purchased from kiosks and the offices of OTE, the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization. A cheaper way of calling abroad is to get a Green Card or Talk Talk Card from the kiosk. The instructions on how to use the card are on the backside in Greek as well as in English.

A cellular phone can be used all over Crete, however up in the mountains and in the South of Crete the coverage is not the best.

Time

Greek time is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, an hour ahead of Central European Time and seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.

Tipping

Tipping is optional but common at cafes, restaurants, hotel maids, tour guides and taxis. A small amount of money is enough.

Toilets

Should you need a toilet in a restaurant or a cafe, then look for the WC sign. Inside the toilet you will notice a waste basket or bin. This is where you should throw the toilet paper because the delicate Greek waste pipes will get blocked if you throw the toilet paper in the toilet bowl.

Traveller's Cheques issued by all the major companies are widely recognized. You can cash your traveller's cheques in all Greek and foreign banks, exchange bureaus and big hotels, but do not forget to have your passport with you. Identification is necessary for the transaction.

Weather in Crete

The weather in Crete is usually quite sunny and warm in summertime, with extreme high temperatures in July and August. However no guaranty can be given. The water temperatures range from 22 - 27 C in summer months, or 15 - 18 C in the winter months.

What do I need to bring from home?

Almost all products of all international brands can be bought in the bigger supermarkets, so there is no need to bring loads of diapers for example. If you take medication, make sure you bring enough or take a prescription with you. Be aware that some medications might have a different commercial name.

Working Hours.

Banks are open from 8:00 until 14:30 from Monday until Friday.

Public Services are usually open to the public from 07:30 until 13:00 in most cases. This varies greatly, so you had better ask a local for accurate information.

Shops in tourist areas are open from 8:00 until 22:00 or even later but the normal working hours are different in areas non-dependent from tourism, such as remote areas or cities. In cities like Heraklion or Chania the shops are open on Monday 09:00 - 14:00, Tuesday 09:00 - 14:00 and 17:30 - 21:00, Wednesday 09:00 - 14:00, Thursday 09:00 - 14:00 and 17:30 - 21:00, Friday 09:00 - 14:00 and 17:30 - 21:00, Saturday 09:00 - 14:00.

Supermarkets in cities are open from 08:00 until 20:00 from Monday until Friday. On Saturday they close at 18:00.

If you need to buy cigarettes, a chocolate bar, a bottle of water, condoms or a magazine you can do that easily at a periptero (kiosk). They are everywhere, even in the smaller towns. In cities there will be several of them open 24 hours a day, usually around the city's centre.

Gas stations close at 21:00 or 22:00. In every city there will be at least one gas station open during the night or on Sundays.

Whenever you call a number in Greece, even if it is a local phone call, you have to use the (area code) +(0) + (phone number). For example, if you want to call a phone number in Heraklion you will have to dial: 281+0+ phone number = 2810 - xxxxxx. For an Athens phone number you will have to dial: 210-xxxxxxx
If you call from abroad always use 0030 before the phone number.

List of useful phone numbers in Crete:

Heraklion 2810

Tourist Police: 2810- 283 190
Traffic Police: 2810- 282 031
Airport of Iraklion: 2810- 228 402
Olympic Airways: 2810- 229-191, 244-802
Port Authorities: 2810- 244 912
Hellenic Organization of Tourism: 2810-228 225
Archaeological Museum of Iraklion: 2810-226 092
Archaeological Site of Knossos: 2810- 231 940
Archaeological Site of Festos: 28920-42315
History Museum of Crete: 2810-283 219

Bus Station
a. to Rethymno and Hania: 2810-221 765
b. to Hersonissos, Malia, Stalida, Agios Nikolaos, Siteia: 2810- 245 017(-9)
c. to Messara (Tympaki, Agia Galini, Moires, Lentas, Kaloi Limenes, Festos): 2810-255 965

Consulates:
Consulate of Britain: 2810- 224 012.
Consulate of Germany: 2810-226 288
Consulate of Denmark: 2810-240 580
Consulate of Italy: 2810-342 561
Consulate of Norway: 2810-341 872
Consulate of Holland: 2810-346 202
Consulate of Russia: 2810-281 456
Consulate of Sweden: 2810-226 254

Hersonissos 28970
Tourist Police: 28970-21000
Police Station: 28970-22100, 22222
Port Authorities: 28970-23111

Agios Nikolaos 28940
Tourist Police: 28940-26900
Police Station: 28940-22251
Port Authorities: 28940-22312
Archaeological museum of Agios Nikolaos: 28940-24943

Ierapetra 28420
Police Station: 28420-22560
Port Authorities: 28420-22294

Siteia 28430
Police Station: 28430- 22259, 22266
Port Authorities: 28430-22310
Airport of Siteia: 28430-24424
Archaeological museum of Siteia: 28430-23917
Toplou Monastery: 28430-61266

Rethymno 28310
Tourist Police: 28310-53450, 28156
Port Authorities: 28310-22276
Archaeological museum of Rethymno: 28310-29975
Arcadi Monastery: 28310-83076

Hania 28210
Tourist Police: 28210-73333
Port Authorities: 28210-98888
Archaeological museum of Hania: 28210-90334
Naval museum: 28210-74484
Bus Station: 28210-91288

Kissamos (Kasteli) 28220
Police Station: 28220-22115
Port Authorities: 28220-22024

Sfakia 28250
Police Station: 28250-91205
Port Authorities: 28250-91292

Palaiohora 28230
Police Station: 28230-41111
Port Authorities: 28230-41214

Emergency - Ambulance Tel. 166

Heraklion

Chania

DOCTORS G.P. Kirsten Grigorakis General Practitioner 2 Sfakion Street Chania Tel. 28210 52706 (Fluent German/ English/ Greek speaker) ENT Specialist Iosif Zervos  (also with IKA) Sfakion 10 - 12 Chania Tel. 28210 28136 (speaks some English) Pediatricians Christiane Forthomme- Zacharaki M. Botsari & Zimvradakidon Chania Tel.28210 90348 (Fluent French/English/Greek speaker) Chrissie Pallidis 50 Apokoronou Street 1st Floor Chania Tel 28210 88821 (Fluent English/Greek speaker) Osteopath and Naturopath Christine Kakavelaki Sfakion 10-12 Apt. 4 Chania Tel 28210 23248 (Speaks English) Gynecologist Stelios Petroulakis Therapevtiko Centre, Nik. Foka 3. Chania Tel. 28210 50023 (speaks English) DENTISTS Bob Manousakis 12 El Venizelou St. 4th Floor Chania Tel. 28210 45544 (Bilingual English-Greek) Dimitris Railakis 5 Papanastasiou Str (Courthouse ? Dikastirion Sq.)) Chania Tel. 28210 45600 (English/Greek speaking . Practiced 3 years in the UK.) D Apostolakis & E Papadimitriou Associates Chania Dental Practice Platanias 73014 tel/fax 28210 60095 VETS Emergency Number Akrotiri/Souda 6973272282  Panayiotis Ignatiadis Dimakopoulou 1 Dikastirio (Courthouse) Chania Tel. 28210 42730 Georgos Vizyrakis Souda (Opposite the Post Office ? ELTA) Tel. 28210 23505 Stavros Kounoupidiana 28210 69966 Giorgos Mousourakis Kalyves (Armeni Rd.)  Tel. 28250 51653 and Vrysses Tel. 28250 32186 Mobile:- 6974 121043

DOCTORS Medical Line [Heraklion Prefecture] 24hr Medical & Ambulance services Tel [Free] 80011 29400 [Medical centers] Malia Tel 28970 35321-9 Hersonissos Tel 28970 29429 Various specialties +Labs [Multilingual personnel] VETS Andreas Badouvas. Heraklion Tel. 2810 317 870 . Mobile 6944 202 667. Surgery from 18.00 to 21.00 Monday to Friday

Hersonnissos

DENTIST Dr. Giorgos Papadakis 101 El. Venizelou str.  Tel  28970-22970

Rethymnon

DENTISTS Evgenia Anagnostaki Moatsou 4 Rethymnon Tel. 28310 27304 [Bilingual English-Greek] VETS Costas  14 Chortatzi St, up from the 'unknown soldier', near Round Travel Tel: 28310 55999.

Ierapetra

VETS Spyrioakis Michail Kthniatpiko Kentpo Ierapetra Tel:28420 80390 e-mail:vet2000@hotmail.com, mspyr@ier.forthnet (speaks English)

Sitia

DENTISTS Gerakaph E Marigoyla  (Maria) Myknos Sitia Tel:28430 25205 (speaks English - ask for Maria, as assistant speaks little English) VETS Sortiris Papanikolaoy Sitia - Paleokastro Road, Sitia. Tel Mobile. 6977 546632

Vamos

DOCTORS Dr. Elisabet Catafygiotou Scharfenberger 28250 22184 Mobile - for emergencies only 6976 881 647 Speaks Greek, German and English On the road towards the Vamos Medical Centre. DENTISTS Giorgios Papadougiorgakis 28250 23336 In the centre of Vamos on the main road from Kalyves.

Crete roads condition and tips about driving in Crete

Driving in Crete might seem a daunting prospect at first. However, provided you take appropriate care your trips will be safe and result in enormous pleasure. To give you a head start on some of the local conditions, take a look through the following.
The roads in Crete and Greece vary in their quality and state of repair. Major cities are generally connected by wide highways, smaller ones by lesser roads.
In northern Crete there is a highway from Agios Nikolaos to Kastelli (Kissamos) via Heraklion, Rethymnon and Chania. The part from Agios Nikolaos to Sitia is still narrow and has many sharp bends.
In many parts the highway, or National Road as it is known in Crete , is a dual carriageway road. A continuous program of improvement and maintenance means that the dualling is being extended all the time. (NOTE. A dual carriageway is a road where the different directions are separated in some way, by a strip of grass or barriers . There are usually two lanes in each direction). New, wider roads are also constructed to Messara area in southern Heraklion district (Festos, Matala, Timbaki, Kokkinos Pirgos), as well as the Viannos area.
Away from the north coast the situation changes radically and the roads become narrow and can have blind bends. If you want to reach the most remote areas, then you may find some of your trip may include roads with long gravel stretches. This is also common in the mountainous areas, where new dirt roads are being created all the time and where road warning and direction signs may not be present. It is important not to attempt a mountain crossing if you do not have detailed and recent instructions from the locals. Some mountain roads are only suitable for 4WD vehicles.
Narrow winding roads can often mean that journey times are rather longer than might be expected from distances calculated from a map. For example, the distance from Paleochora to Sougia is about 30 km but it takes almost 45 minutes to get there because of the very narrow road and the way it winds its way up and down the mountains.
Crete is a mountainous island and driving can yield spectacular views but traveling on it's winding roads can also be a cause of motion sickness. If you are traveling with small children make frequent stops and allow extra time to get to your destination.
Driving in Greece is on the right, the same as in the United States and most of Europe. Vehicles coming from the right have the right of way unless otherwise posted. This means that cars entering a traffic circle go first, drivers already in the circle must yield.

• If there is little room to pass on the road, fast drivers expect slow drivers to pull onto the hard shoulder in order to let them by. Be aware though that the hard shoulders can end suddenly and that they may also be obstructed by rock falls. (NOTE. Hard shoulder is the emergency lane, which in Crete is very narrow).
• Traffic signs throughout Greece are generally in Greek and English, and Greece uses internationally recognized traffic control and stop signs.
• Parking is permitted along most city streets, but vacant places may be difficult to find. In some areas you have to buy and use a Parking Card, which can be bought at a nearby kiosk (periptero).
• Use of a vehicle's horn in towns is allowed only in cases of immediate and extreme danger.
• Speed limits in Crete are as follows: 50 km per hour (30 mph) in built
• up areas and 90 kph (56 mph) on the highway. There are road signs informing you about the speed limits, which vary from one area to another, even without any obvious or logical reason . There are spots along the north highway where the road is good, straight and with very good visibility ahead but suddenly a road sign indicates a low speed limit. These are the favourite spots of the police for a traffic check.
• Alcohol tests are frequent and strict and the limit is 0,50 mg. Do not expect to be let off a traffic offence just because you are a tourist. You have to pay fines at the tax office in the area where the "ticket" is issued, so if people are on a days excursion they must make paying part of the day's activity or, if they return to their base on another part of the island, it will require another trip to the area specially to pay
• Fuel. Many gas stations close at 7pm but stations on the highway close much later usually. In every city there will be at least one gas station which will be open during the night. Ask the locals for information. Some stations accept credit cards. Lead
• free is everywhere. Regular unleaded petrol has an octane rating of 91 or 92; the octane rating of super is 96 or 98. Unleaded super petrol has an octane rating of 95. A gas station's staff will fill your vehicle, there is no self
• service in Crete . There are no gas stations where you can buy petrol with your credit card automatically after closing times.
• There are no emergency telephone devices along the highway in Crete. In case of an emergency you should use your cell phone. Dial 112. The number 112 is the same emergency number as found in other European countries and it is a toll
• free 24 hour line. Callers to 112 will be able to receive information in English, French and Greek regarding ambulance services, fire brigade, police and the coast guard. Operators will stay on the line in case the tourist requires translation assistance. Emergency roadside help and information may be reached by dialing 104 for vehicle assistance and towing services, 100 for police, 166 for an ambulance, and 199 for the fire brigade. The Automobile and Touring Club of Greece provides 24 hour information to foreign motorists regarding driving in Greece , by dialing 174. Another reliable road assistance company is Express Service, dial 154
• While you drive in a town, pay particular attention to mopeds. Moped riders tend to overtake on the right instead of the left as they should. Even if you leave enough space for them to pass from the left, they are so addicted to passing from the right, that they will do anything to achieve their preferred mode of overtaking!
• If you notice in your mirror an approaching car flashing its lights at you, the driver is usually asking you to move to your right to allow him to overtake.
• Drive extra carefully on Saturday nights! The reality is that too many people will be out, drinking more than they should when driving, and will drive dangerously as a result.
• While you drive in a town, be aware of pedestrians walking in the street. Often the sidewalks are narrow or non
• existent and people cannot avoid walking in the street.
• A few Greek drivers forget to use their indicators to signal an intention to make a turn. Try and develop a sixth sense to predict what they may be about to do in the absence of an indication. Expect the unexpected!
• The quality of asphalt road surfaces is not always good as road surfaces are affected by a number of factors including floods and rock falls in winter, and extreme heat in summer. Pot holes and loose gravel surfaces are very common as a result. This makes some roads particularly hazardous for motorcyclists.
• Goats are everywhere in Crete and they like to feed next to the road. It is not uncommon to see a few of them walking in the road, even around a main highway.
• If you visit Crete in the winter, then pay extra attention if you drive on a very rainy day as rocks may have been dislodged and fallen onto the roads. A small pile of stones at the side of the road often indicates that the surface under the asphalt has been eroded at that point and should not be driven over.
• Do not place absolute trust the white lines marking the lanes in the highway. Occasionally, a lane may end suddenly and without warning. It is commonplace to see drivers crossing double white lines.
• Maps are not reliable when it comes to remote areas. If you doubt which direction to go, then look for a local and ask for instructions. People of Crete are helpful and they will do their best to assist you.
• Some road signs are small and you will see them only if you drive slowly and look carefully. Example: the first exit to Rethymnon when you drive from Heraklion. Do not expect big signs hanging above the road as in European highways.
• As you drive around Crete you will hopefully quickly get a feel for the roads and will soon get an idea of what forms the 'unexpected' can take. You will soon decide that you will need to have traveled a road fairly recently before you can start to open up a little. As well as tourists, you will from time to time find a farmer etc who may not be expecting much other traffic, or who can't find the indicator or light switches readily. No problem though if you are thinking ahead. Part of the beauty of Crete is that the pace of life is generally far more relaxed than in many other places and to some extent, that pace is applied by some to the roads at times.

Particular points for Motorcyclists:

• It is common to see young tourists on motorbikes or mopeds dressed in shorts and tees or even their swimsuits without a helmet on. Add a few beers to this and you get a lethal combination.
• The unpredictable condition of the road surface (pot holes, rock fall debris, etc) need extra attention. Though there is some fine motorcycling to be had in Crete, you may well find you have to change your style of riding to stay safe. If you do not always expect the unexpected, you will soon have a wake up call.

Particular points for cyclists:

• Bicycles are rare in Crete. The reasons are the warm climate and the mountainous landscape with the steep inclines and descents . Drivers are not used to finding their roads used by bicycles.
• Pedestrians can be more dangerous than cars to the cyclist. They don't feel threatened by bicycles and tend to step off the sidewalk into the street suddenly and stand right in front of you.

Particular points for Pedestrians:

• Visitors must beware of motorbike drivers when crossing streets as they often weave in and out of traffic lanes and crowd intersections at traffic lights.
• If there is no sidewalk you will have to walk in the street. Be very careful when you do so.
• If you need to cross the road be very careful especially in areas with a lot of traffic like Amoudara in Heraklion or Platanias and Agia Marina in Chania. Don't bother to walk far down a street looking for official crossing points, there usually aren't any. In the few places that pedestrians' crossings do exists, do not expect many drivers to take notice of them and allow you precedence.

Roadside memorials
A common sight in Crete are the small metal or stone constructions at the sides of the roads, often in the form of a miniature church. These are memorials for people killed in a car accident and they are located at the exact spot where the accident occurred. They are constructed by the family of the deceased and inside there is usually a photo together with some religious objects. The families visit them often, clean and maintain them and light the candles. They exist in all different kinds of shapes and materials used.