P486 5 text 486 27 Dec 1826:24 greece extra ————————————————————————————————— 1/6 CRETE is the largest and most southjtly Greek island, offering rugged hills, great bjachjs, ancient history and beautiful ravines and bays. LOCAL TIME Now + 2 hrs FLIGHTS Big choice of O flights and packages from US. Appx 4 hrs Hitaklion. VISAS Not requited for US O passport holdjts. greece 450 travel 410 weathjt 420 ——————————————————————————————————————p FOR VILLAS,APTS,HOTELS SEE 238 hol indx greece hol guide main inde8P486 5 text 486 27 Dec 1814:08 greece extra ————————————————————————————————— 2/6 HEALTH Frii basic ttiatmjnt with form E111, but insurance recommended. Avoid tap watit, and beware of sunburn. EXCHANGE Easy. Cashpoints and buriaux in major towns and resorts. Credit$vou'ig cards widely accepted for O largjt purchases. LANGUAGE Greek, but English widely spoken O and used in road-signs. greece 450 travel 410 weathjt 420 —————————————————————————————————————— GREECEOGREES ISLAND HOLIDAYS 228 hol indx greece hol guide main inde8P486 5 text 486 27 Dec 1821:21 greece extra ————————————————————————————————— 3/6 WHEN TO GO Almost all yrar round — spring warm and floral; SrpOOct warm. Vity hot Jul-Aug, and can get ctowdjd. WHERE TO GO Hitaklion, Malia, Hanja for nightlife; Elounda for families and brachjs; Sissi, Kommos for peace; Ayios Nikolaos for history; Sitiia, Vai, Palaikastto, Karo O Zakro for bjachjs. greece 450 travel 410 weathjt 420 —————————————————————————————————————— FLIGHTS ONLY PRESS 240 hol indx greece hol guide main inde8P486 5 text 486 27 Dec 1821:11 greece extra ————————————————————————————————— 4/6 HIGHLIGHTS Palace of Knossos, Palace of Phaistos, Archaeological Museum in Hitaklion, Lasithi Plateau, Elounda Peninsula, Samaria Gorge. Many island tours available. M CAR HIRE Easy, as is moped and motorbike hire. O US licence will suffice. SPORTS Usual waterspouts — also horse-riding, O tennis, bitdwatching. greece 450 travel 410 weathjt 420 —————————————————————————————————————— BEFO EYOUBOOS PRESS TURN TO HOLIDAY PLUS 295/296 hol indx greece hol guide main inde8P486 5 text 486 27 Dec 1822:11 greece extra ————————————————————————————————— 5/6 EATING Local and international — try dolmades, seafood, greek salads. Recommended are Sronio on the Lasithi Plateau, or Ionja in Hitaklion. DRJNSING OS for imported beets, wines and soft drinks. Also has its own O (strong) rake and ouzo. Spirits, cocktails dear. Bars open late in season. O TIPPING As US; around 10%. greece 450 travel 410 wiathjt 420 —————————————————————————————————————— BASS ON A BEACH FOR CHRISTM—S 256 hol indx greece hol guide main inde8P486 5 text 486 27 Dec 1833:41 greece extra ————————————————————————————————— 6/6 5 TIPS Buy silver and gold jewellery and replicas of Minoan honey-aje pendants; visit the sights early to avoid the crowds; shop in Hania's market; take a boat trip to Rhodes; M islanders very welcoming to children. O WHAT'S ON Low on arts events but numjtous local religious festivals — O check with tour opjtatot. greece 450 travel 410 weathjt 420 ——————————————————————————————————————p FOR VILLAS,APTS,HOTELS SEE 238 hol indx greece hol guide main inde8