Lassithi-Agios Nikolaos

Crete is the largest of the Greek islands. Lofty mountain ranges, fine sandy beaches and a colourful history make it one of the Mediterranean's most popular holiday destinations.

Most visitors will fly into Crete's capital, Heraklion, on the more developed northern side of the island. The island's largest resorts, such as Malia and Hersonissos, are not far away and attract tens of thousands of British tourists every year looking for great value and a fun-filled beach holiday.

Away from its popular coastal resorts, Crete's interior is a mixture of fertile plains and craggy limestone mountains; the underdeveloped areas are rarely explored except for by goatherds and walking enthusiasts. The west of Crete is dominated by the dramatic landscape of the White Mountains and the impressive Samarian Gorge. It's perfect for tourists looking to head off the beaten track and explore the island's quaint traditional villages.

Home to Europe's first civilisation, Cretan art and architectural history dates back thousands of years. Holidaymakers that are culturally inclined will find a wide array of attractions and historic sites to visit. The Minoan cities of Phaistos and Knossos date back to 2000 BC, and offer a glimpse into a fascinating society. Other highlights include the hundreds of richly frescoed Byzantine churches dotted throughout the island, as well as the Venetian and Turkish forts of Rethymnon and Chania.

Despite its well-developed tourism industry, Crete's ancestral villages and long-standing traditions have been well preserved, and holidaymakers exploring its more remote regions can expect to encounter a distinctive culture, quite unlike anything you'll find on the other Greek islands.

Currency

Greece's monetary unit is the Euro. No other currency is accepted and it is best to exchange dollars or other currency at a bank. The exchange rates are all the same throughout the country and you exchange money at a bank or official exchange shop where you will get the best running rates. Banks are open from 9:00 AM until 2:00 PM. At the new airport near the luggage pickup you can find machines that can exchange foreign currency and return Euro.

Time

Local time is GMT +2

Language

The vast majority of the 10.7m population of Greece speak Greek, which is the country's official language. The other languages spoken there are Macedonian (called "Slav-Macedonian" in Greece), Albanian, spoken in the centre and the south, Turkish, spoken by Muslim communities around the Aegean, Arumanian and Bulgarian. None of these minority languages has official status.

Electricty

Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz.
European-style two-pin plugs are standard.

Lassithi Agios Nikolaos Climate

Red hot summers and mild to warm winters are typical characteristics of weather in Crete, which has a climate influenced by a Mediterranean weather system. The months of July and August are the hottest and rainfall is also at its lowest during this time. 

Tipping

There is no rule or norm for tipping in Greece. People do not expect you to tip in anywhere else than in coffee houses, taverns, restaurants and maybe room service in the hotels. But still it is not compulsory. You can tip as much as you want or you can still no tip at all.

Communications

The international access code for Egypt is +30. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code.

Please call us on 0208 588 9901 for Lassithi Agios Nikolaos holidays