YOUR JOURNEY  TO DAISY

 flights to Heraklion

In the summer, between April and October, there is a vast choice of   flights from UK to Heraklion . It includes all the main tour operators as well as low cost airlines like Easyjet and Jet2. For 2010 there are direct flights to Heraklion from Belfast.

In the winter, the flights to Crete are via Athens. They include Aegean Air (from Heathrow) and Olympic Airways . Alternatively, you can fly to Athens with Easyjet and use  connecting flights with Aegean Air or Olympic Airways. It is a longer journey but well worth it !

Many people now use the flight comparison sites such as www.travelsupermarket.co.uk  ; www.zugu.co.uk  ; www.skyscanner.co.uk  ; www.cheapflights.co.uk

 On occasions it can be cheaper to buy a cheap holiday with Teletext and simply use the flights. I saved £40 per flight with Travel Supermarket in May 2009,  by booking  one way flights to Crete with two different airlines.

your arrival at the airport in Crete

We recommend that on arrival at Heraklion airport, you contact the Service Managers so that they can be aware that you have arrived in Crete. They can discuss with you your approximate time of arrival in Fodele.  You can establish with them where the keys are to be picked up. Their  mobile numbers are below. The email address is also included for general enquiries.

mobile    (0030) 6949933047  (Ken)

mobile   (0030) 6945645419   (Helen)

email address :  kengoodhead@gmail.com

 car hire at Heraklion airport

 If you wish to hire a car at the airport, you can also try the websites such as www.travelsupermarket.co.uk .

 You may have to pay up to a 15 Euro surcharge if you collect your car at the airport after 10pm, so remember to have some Euros  at hand, as the office might be closed. Some car rentals also want you to bring the car back empty and therefore charge you for a full tank of petrol. They also require a credit card and a driving licence. My apologies if this is all very familiar to you.

 The car hire depots are literally across the road as you come out of the airport terminal . 

 airport taxi transfers to Fodele

There are always taxis available at Heraklion airport.

IMPORTANT :  If you get a taxi from the airport, you must ensure that they take you to Fodele VILLAGE and not to Fodele BEACH. They must take you to the far end of the village and drop you off at the village square. You then have a 100 metre journey across the bridge, to Mandarin Grove.

 your road journey to Fodele

If you have hired a car, it is a straightforward route to Fodele.. You will firstly leave the car hire compound and turn right on to the road. Immediately ahead are traffic lights and you will turn right again. You are now heading towards the main highway and it is important that you make a further right turn following signs to Rethymon. You now stay on the main highway for about 27km. You will see a petrol station just before you reach Fodele. Turn right and follow the road for 3km into Fodele. Go right through the village until you see the village square ahead. You can safely park your car in the square. There is a small footbridge across the river and you will see the gates of Mandarin Grove ahead of you. Go up the steps or the ramp and you will find Daisy the fourth property on the right. The name is above the door.

 park your car on the village square

 Once you have parked in the square you will see the bridge across the village stream . Take the 100 metre journey across this stream where you will find Mandarin Grove in front of you .

Park the car and cross the bridge.  The entrance to Mandarin Grove will be in front of you

  Go through the main gates and you will find Daisy the fourth property on the right. Her name is above the front door. You can see that we  have even arranged right turns all the way, to make the journey easy for you ! 

 Daisy is the fourth property on the right : the name is above the door

If you arrive during daylight hours the service managers will meet and greet you. If you are on one of those lovely night flights then we will make simple arrangements for you to collect a key. A light will be left on and there will be a welcome pack waiting for you.

Alternative routes to Crete

You may wish to consider alternative, possibly greener, ways to reach Crete.  A very attractive alternative is to go by rail and cruise. If you are interested, you may wish to look at a website called  www.seat61.com. It gives good impartial advice and information.

We also have a family visiting Daisy this summer who are going by rail and sea. We hope that they will produce a report for us outlining their experiences.

www.holidayhomecrete.com

pvjones42@gmail.com