WELCOME TO AGAVE VILLAS
VILLA DAIDALOS
USER GUIDE
Introduction
We hope that your stay at Agave Villas will be an enjoyable experience, and this user guide is designed to quickly answer any questions you may have about staying here.
If you have any comments or items to add we would be more than happy to hear from you.
Go Green Policy
We ensure environment and are undertaking the following actions
Use low energy lights
Monitor our consumption and save electricity and water.
Turn off unnecessary lights
Do not use air conditioning
Towels and linen will be changed weekly
Waste collecting seperately
Bicycles for renting
Natural garden
Emergency Contact
If you have trouble please call Vaitsa Zafiri at mobile +30 697 454 57 63. She lives in Agia Fotia and speaks greek, english and german.
Security Deposit (as per Booking Contract)
As a guest you are solely responsible for any damage or breakages caused to the villa, its contents, and the outside area during your stay. The guest must report any existing damage or deficiency to the owner within the first twenty four (24) hours of their stay. Thereafter any damage or deficiency found upon the guest’s departure will be attributed solely to the guest and their party.
A refundable security deposit is payable upon arrival to be held against any damage, breakages, excess cleaning (removal of stains due to spillage, dishes, etc.) and missing inventory. The villa is inspected both before and at the end of your stay; upon confirmation that all is in order this deposit will be refunded in full.
Charges for damages, breakages, excess cleaning, or any repairs to the villa, equipment, amenities or fixtures necessitated by misuse will be at the discretion of the owner and will be deducted from the security deposit.
In the event of any damage or loss which is assessed to be in excess of the security deposit, the guest will be held responsible for full reimbursement of the outstanding amount within fourteen (14) days of notice of such costs.
Access to the Villa
The front door can only be opened with a key. Please have your key with you whenever you exit the villa to avoid locking yourself out. Please refer to emergency contact for a duplicate key to open the door in case you lock yourself out.
Parking
In accordance with the Agave Villas rules, no vehicle shall be parked or otherwise kept on any portion of the property other than the designated parking area.
After your stay – leaving the Villa
It is important that the villa is left clean and tidy at the end of the rental period. The villa will be professionally cleaned prior to your arrival and again after your departure but it remains the responsibility of the guest to ensure the villa is left in an orderly state, as found when checking in. Kitchen utensils and cooking surface should be cleaned and all food and trash removed before leaving. Please note excess cleaning will be deducted from your security deposit.
The villa will be inspected at the end of your stay; upon confirmation that all is in order your security deposit will be refunded in full by tranfer to your bank account within 7 working days
Please leave the keys at the house in the kitchen at your departure.
Please ensure that all windows are locked, and the terrace doors are locked before leaving the villa. There is no need to close the shutters.
Latest departure time is 12 am. If you could not keep this time please ask the owner.
Internet Access
Broadband wireless Internet connection is provided free of charge. An Ethernet cable is not available. The owner will not be held responsible for any failures of communication lines, hardware or software.
Network Name: Villas
Wi-Fi network key: cretehomes123
Barbeque
Coal barbeque area is provided for our guests. Coal may be purchased from the gas stations and supermarkets.
Crete has extremely arid summers; fire safety must be exercised and we request our guests to always have a bucket of water nearby when using the barbeque.
We kindly ask our guests to clean the barbeque area after use and remove all food and trash from the barbeque area immediately after use in order to avoid attracting stray cats and other animals. Please do not dispose carcoal residue in the garden!
Cleaning
Cleaning materials is not provided. Brush, scoop and cleaning mop is available
The villa is rented out on a self-catering basis, and you are responsible for cleaning, as well as cleaning of dishes
Should you wish to have the villa cleaned for you, this service is available at a €10 per hour fee. Please contact Mrs. Zafiri to arrange.
If you have to ironing your garderobe, this service is also available at a €10 per hour fee. Please contact Mrs. Zafiri to arrange.
Waste & Garbage Disposal
Please do not leave garbage bags on your veranda or in the parking area — this will attract stray cats and pests.
There is no garbage collection service. You can use any of the large gray garbage containers located along the main road and in Sitia.
In Greece, we recycle; ail packaging (carton, paper, plastic, aluminum, tin, and glass all together, no sorting is required) is collected separately from all other trash and is to be placed in BLUE containers (marked RECYCLING) located along the main road and in Sitia.
Towels
Two different sets of towels are provided for use in the villa: hand towels and bath towels. We kindly ask that the towels remain in the house. Missing towels will be invoiced. No beach towels are provided by the owner.
Linen
The linen is provided for the duration of your stay.
The villa is rented out on a self-catering basis, and you are responsible for change of linen. We kindly ask that you do not wash our white bed linen and towels with any colored items of your own.
Should you wish to have the linen changed for you by a maid, this service is available at a €10 per hour fee. Please contact Mrs. Zafiri to arrange.
For long term renting: the linen will be changed every two weeks by the owner
Washing Machine
A washing machine is not provided . In the city there are several cleaning shops.
Oven / Hob / Extractor
All cooking is electric
The cooker/hob usage should be self-explanatory ( first you have to push the on/off button, than the choosed cooking plate and last to adjust the temperature). If you have questions, please ask the owner for instructions (T.0049 17621154508).
Lights
Please remember to switch all light off when not needed
Air condition
As the main bed rooms are in the lower floor, an air condition is not needed.
Water Supply
Water is a precious resource in Crete so please remember to be frugal and conserve
Tap water is generally clean and is safe to boil for hot drink and cooking. We recommend using bottled water for drinking.
Hot water is produced by solar panels. In an unlikely case of hot water shortage, there is an electric water heater switch on the main switchboard in the entrance hall by the front door (the switch is marked for you). Please only keep this on for 30 minutes to avoid overheating; please switch this off when not required as excessive use of electricity may be subject to an additional charge.
Electric Supply
The supply is standard European 220/240 V. The main electricity switchboard is in the entrance hall. Please do not switch any switches (other than the electric water heater switch) on or off; consult the owner for any questions.
Smoking
The villa is a „No Smoking“ facility, and all guests are requested to refrain from smoking inside the house. In the event that neutralization of smoke odors from cigarettes, cigars, pipes or other smoking materials is required, or in the event that burn marks from cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or other smoking materials are detected, the cost for elimination of those odors or repair of the burn marks will be deducted from the security deposit. Smoking is permitted on the terrace areas, please use the ashtrays provided.
Pest Control
Crete has a hot climate and care must be taken with food that is left uncovered. Uncovered food can attract pests (ants, bees, wasps, etc.) very quickly. In order to avoid these entering the villa, please place all unwrapped food in the refrigerator and ensure that your food containers are adequately sealed. Do not leave sweet food unwrapped. Close all doors when not in use. Please contact the owner immediately in the event of any pest appearance so that these can be dealt with speedily and professionally.
Code of Conduct
The actions of all guests should not interfere with the enjoyment of either other holiday makers or the residents of the Agave Villas. Please do not play loud music or engage in any activity which may cause inconvenience to your neighbors after 10:00pm or before 08:00am. In the event that any member of your party behaves in a way that is likely to cause distress, danger or annoyance to any other holiday makers, residents of Agave Villas or damage to any property, the owner reserves the right to terminate your rental agreement immediately and forthwith. The owner will not be liable for any costs you will incur, nor shall we pay any compensation, nor make any refunds due to this action.
Complaints
In the unlikely event of a problem arising whilst you are on holiday (relating to our villa) you should immediately contact the owner. Your satisfaction with our villa is paramount to us and we will seek to resolve the matter speedily and professionally.
Contact
for any problems: Vaitsa Zafiri phone 0030 697 454 57 63
owner : phone 0049 176 211 54 508
Useful Tips for Vacationing in Crete
Opening Hours
Most shops (with the exception of supermarkets) follow the schedule below:
| Mon, Wed, Sat | 9:00 – 14:00 |
| Tue, Thu, Fri | 9:00 – 14:00 and 18:00 – 20:00 |
| Sunday | closed |
Supermarkets are open Mon — Sat 8:00 — 20:00; closed on Sunday (see Map).
Farmers‘ Market offering fresh local fruits, vegetables, and honey is open every Tuesday 8:00 -12:00 (see Map).
Petrol stations are open Mon — Sat 8:00 — 20:00; some are closed on Sunday so you may have to drive around a bit until you find an open one.
Pharmacies keep normal shop hours Monday to Friday. They are closed on Saturdays. If you need a chemist on closing days or at night you can see which one is open in the list displayed in the door of every pharmacy. The list is in Greek. The best solution is to ask anyone for directions to the address of the open pharmacy or call the number on the list.
Banks are open Mon — Fri 8:00 — 13:00; closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Parking in Sitia
Parking is free at the municipal parking (see Map); in central streets, you have to buy and display a Parking Card (1 hour 1 euro) purchased at the nearest kiosk (periptero).
Credit Cards
All major credit cards are accepted in supermarkets and some restaurants. Other businesses, including car rental offices, shops and coffee shops, will only accept cash.
Things to do
Fishing
For those passionate about fishing, the Poseidon (9 meter charter boat featuring radar and fish tracking system) is available for fishing trips and boat trips in the crystal waters of
Eastern Crete, both north and south, from Sitia to lerapetra and all the way to Kassos.
Beaches
Vai. A short 20-minute drive to East takes you to Vai, an area of exceptional beauty because of the endemic palm forest right on the beach. Vai is a crowded but well-organized beach with water sports facilities.
Itanos (Erimoupolis) is a lovely sandy beach over the rocky hill on your right once you reach the parking. A longer sandy beach is just over the hill with the ruins of the ancient town of Itanos, on your left once you park.
Maridati is a small bay with sandy beach, ideal for those seeking solitude; it offers exciting snorkeling experience.
Kouremenos (Palekastro) is the longest beach of the area and, with sandy entrance, is ideal for children and adults alike. The beach is a famous European destination for windsurfing (see details below).
Hiona beach is an excellent long sandy beach with a couple of fish taverns. It is located just 2 km east of Palekastro.
Kato Zakros is a white-pebble beach right by the Minoan Palace of Kato Zakros (one of the four Minoan Palaces in Crete).
Xerokambos offers stunning white sand and turquoise waters. It is a quiet beach with beautiful rugged rocks in the background.
Makrigialos is located on the Southern coast (Libyan Sea) and is a popular resort. There is a less crowded perfectly long sandy-pebbly beach before you enter the town of Makrigialos.
Are Cretan Beaches Safe?
Cretan beaches are safe — there are no dangerous sea creatures in Crete. Jellyfish are extremely rare in shallow waters near the shores. Sea urchins may be a threat to your feet on rocky shores; use caution when entering the water; footwear is highly recommended.
Windsurfing
Get blown away by the winds of Crete! Gone Surfing , Christos one oft he the best windsurfing centers in Crete, is only 15 minutes away by car, in a beautiful sandy bay with outstanding wind statistics. Lessons and rentals available by appointment; please check the website.
Traditional Villages
Around Sitia, you will find many enchanted villages drenched in sunshine where time appears to have stopped still. We especially recommend Roussa Ekklisia, Koutsoulopetres, Karidi, Vrisidi, and Mitato. A complete list of traditional villages can be found at the following link:
http://www.crete-today.com/traditional/index.php
Hiking and Nature
For a good source of fascinating hiking trails we recommend the following link:
http://www.crete-today.com/Trekking.php
For most detailed routes in the spectacular gorges of Eastern Crete we recommend the following link:
http://www.crete-today.com/gorges/index.php
Day Trip to Santorini
From Heraklion, a speed catamaran takes you to Santorini for a dazzling experience of the whitewashed walls and blue cupolas set against the deep-blue sky and endless sea.
Other Places worth Your Visit
Agios Nikolaos. Legend has it that the goddess Athena used to bathe in Voulismeni, the lake which lies at the heart of the bustling resort of Agios Nikolaos. These days the resort located on Mirabello Bay is loved for its laid-back cosmopolitan atmosphere, picture-perfect marina, buzzy nightlife and fantastic beaches – all of which make this one of the most popular resorts in Greece.
Spinalonga. A Venetian outpost and then a leper colony, the fortress on Spinalonga island, near Elounda, is now a rather desolate but popular tourist attraction. Boats run regularly from Agios Nikolaos.
CretAquarium, the largest aquarium of the Mediterranean where you discover the fascinating world of the deep sea, is about 100 km away from the villas, 12 km before Heraklion.
Ziros Winery. A charming village and excellent wines. Wine tasting available by appointment.