Heraklion: How to Have the Best Shopping Experience in the Island’s Capital

 

The city of Heraklion is the perfect place to shop until you drop! With its wide variety of boutiques and souvenir shops, as well as endless local market stalls, you’ll find everything you’re looking for and more! Here's a short guide to getting the most out of your time in Heraklion

 

Getting around

 

Don’t want to walk around with your hands full trying to haul your purchases back to the hotel? Then it’s best to rent a car in Heraklion so you can shop all you want, store your shopping bags in the car, and then shop again. When you rent a car in Heraklion from a trusted company, you can get access to a wide range of vehicles and find something that suits your budget.

Where to park

 

If you want to go into the city and browse for gifts and clothes, or just have lunch with friends, head to the centre of town. More and more of the city centre has been pedestrianised, so you need to know where to park. You can leave your car at Ikarou Street as you approach Freedom Square or enter the marina at the old port by taking the 1st exit right off of Nearchou Street. You can also look to park around Georgiadis Park along Trikoupi Street, where there is street parking and paid car parks.

 

Where to go

 

After you arrive, walk to Dikeosinis Street and head towards Freedom Square/the Astoria Hotel. The street is for pedestrians only and has stores such as Zara, Marks & Spencer, Jack & Jones, etc. Once you finish exploring the main shopping streets, turn left on 1866 Street through the bazaar with its gift shops, jewellery stores, and hat stands.

 

For lunch, walk to Lion's Square and continue straight past it. Then turn left at Theotokopoulos Park. There are numerous cafes with tables and shading near the park perimeter that serve coffee, drinks, and lunch.

 

After you grab a bite and take in the scene, head back to Lions Square. Then, turn left down Dedalou Street—a pedestrian-only zone lined with clothing stores, bookstores, gift shops, and jewellers. Or if you're up for some exploring (and more people-watching), veer off into one of the side streets for even more places to sit and relax with a drink or snack.

 

Shopping is probably one of the best ways to spend your time in Heraklion. With rent-a-car Heraklion services, you can make the most out of your retail therapy experience and explore the city with ease. 

Greek Traditions and Celebrations on the New Year’s Eve 2023

 

The New Year season is one of the best times to visit Greece, specifically Crete. If you’re planning to travel to this part of the world to welcome 2023, consider taking part in the local customs and traditions. Make the most of the experience with a car rental in Crete, which will let you move away from crowded areas and find peaceful spots to watch the fireworks.

 

New Year’s Eve traditions

 

Crete has its own traditions and celebrations during New Year’s Eve, some of which have been around since ancient times. And just like modern-day rituals celebrated around the world, most of these traditions are centered on making the next year as lucky as possible. Here’s what you need to know.

 

1. Gift-giving and receiving

 

It is a Greek tradition to get presents from St. Basil on the New Year instead of Christmas. The saint is also known as Agios Vasilis, the Santa Claus of Greece.

 

2. Cutting the New Year cake

 

Vasilopita is a special sweet cake enjoyed during the New Year. It contains a coin, and whoever slices the cake and finds it is believed to be the lucky one in 2023. Car rental in Crete allows you to visit cities with restaurants serving this cake. Consider looking for the special Greek New Year Meal to enjoy the full experience.

 

3. New Year’s Eve parties

 

Modern-day Crete is busy during the New Year when bars and clubs are packed. Late-night party-goers love to eat a street food dish called Bougatsa, a crispy, sweet custard pie.

 

4. Fireworks at midnight

 

Like in many other countries, you can catch fireworks display at midnight in various municipalities. You can try to find a spot away from the city with a car rental in Crete for a better view.

Car Rental vs Car Lease- Which is best for you in Crete

 The island of Crete is undeniably one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in Greece. With its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and amazing archaeological sites, it is no wonder that this island is a popular tourist destination.

 

If you are one of the many people who are planning to visit Crete, you might be wondering about how to get around the island. There are many options available, but two of the most popular are renting a car or leasing a car. So, what's the difference?

 

1. Length of contracts

A lot of people think that car rental and car leasing are the same things but there is one key difference- the length of the contract. When you rent a car, you are usually only required to sign a contract for a few days. On the other hand, leasing a car generally involves signing a contract for a much longer time.

 

2. Where you get the car from

Another key difference between car rental and car leasing is where you get the car from. When you rent a car, you usually pick it up from a car rental company. However, when you lease a car, you will usually get it from a car dealership.

 

3. Insurance

The most important difference between car rental and car leasing is insurance. When you rent a car, the rental company will usually provide insurance for the vehicle. For instance, a car rental in Crete offers its renters various insurance policies that cover things like damage to the car caused by an accident or theft.

 

With a leased car, you may be responsible for getting your own insurance. In some cases, the lessor may require you to purchase additional coverage that meets their standards since they technically own the vehicle.

 

In conclusion, a car rental in Crete may be the best option if you are only planning to stay on the island for a short period of time. This is because you will have the flexibility of a shorter contract and you won't have to worry about insurance. Happy travels!

Benefits of Hiring a Car of Your Choice in Crete

Car rental in Crete is a popular service that lets travellers get around and explore with ease to discover some of the most famous coastlines and archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. Reputable car rental companies will ensure an enjoyable and stress-free trip by providing high-quality vehicles that suit your budget and requirements, making their services worth considering whether you’re visiting Crete for the first time or returning for a more memorable trip.

 

Benefits of hiring a car for your holiday in Crete

Public transportation makes it challenging to get around, especially as you need to learn the routes and schedules. You’ll need to plan your trip around bus times, which may not be accurate. It may be manageable when you’re alone or with one companion, but travelling with a group can make commuting more challenging.

 

Car rental in Crete allows you to rent an appropriate vehicle that lets you and your companions travel comfortably around the island without being restricted by public transport schedules. Plus, it beats travelling on a packed bus, especially on a hot day.

 

Go anywhere

Public transportation is limited by its routes and schedules. With car rental, you can go anywhere at any time. You can change your plans on a whim and easily reach places that may be inaccessible by public buses or taxis. You could even visit off-the-beaten-path destinations whenever you please.

 

Cost-effective

Car rental in Crete is more economical when travelling with family or friends as it eliminates the need to keep computing and paying for everyone’s public transportation fees. It also eliminates the need to transfer from one bus to another or take multiple public transits to reach a specific place.

 

Flexibility

You can choose a car rental in Crete that suits your needs. It could be a small car that lets you breeze through the city streets or something more rugged and capable of taking you on rough terrain. You’ll find some luxury models and safe and reliable vehicles that are well-maintained and insured.

Adventures You Could Think Of Undertaking In Crete

Experiencing the bliss of Crete will be easier when you hire the Heraklion airport car rental service. The smooth transition from the hotel to the accommodations in the tourist spots will add more convenience to your trip.

Now that you have convenience, here is what you can do when you have a rental car on your side.

Crete Adventures you can add to your wish list

1.               Visiting Samaria Gorge

Trekking through the rugged yet picturesque Samaria Gorge will be an experience of a lifetime. Reach there by hiring a rental car straight from the airport and enjoy walking amidst the scenic beauty of the location.

2.               Snorkelling in the turquoise water

The clear water of the Aegean Sea on Crete Island is one of the best spots to enjoy snorkelling. If you haven’t done it before, this is a great opportunity. Witness the breathtaking views of the marine world and enjoy beachfront snacks.

3.               Paragliding

Get a new perspective of life with the bird-eye view of the island with paragliding. Falasarna is the best place to enjoy this adventurous activity. Feel the actual meaning of freedom by jumping from a 250 m high hill and enjoying the beautiful weather.

4.               Rock climbing

Hire Heraklion airport car rental service to reach Tersanas Cave and Mount Gigilos for rock climbing. It is close to Samaria Gorge. The routes are as high as 1500 metres. Choose the difficulty level and fulfil your rock climbing passion under experienced guidance.

5.               Caving

Crete has nearly 4500 caves open for tourists. Visit Melidoni, Psiloritis and Mount Stroumboulas for a marvellous experience.

Added convenience with airport car rental service

No matter your itinerary, you can enjoy visiting these locations by hiring a Heraklion airport car rental service. Enjoy vacationing in Crete and make it memorable.

The Best Wineries To Visit in Crete on your Trip

 

While there are several beautiful locations and places of historical interest to see in Crete, one thing that you must do while here is visit the best wineries on the island. Winemaking in Crete is an ancient tradition dating back more than 4,000 years. The island is dotted with these wineries. But let’s tell you about three of them that you can easily visit if you hire a car in Crete.

 

·        The Manoukis winery

The Manoukis winery was founded by Theodore (Ted) Manousakis in 1993 and produced the first wines under the Nostos label in 1997. The winery produces more than 150,000 bottles a year and emphasises organic wines. Their signature white wine uses the local Romeiko grapes, a unique local variety that grows only in the Chania region.

 

• Dourakis Winery

This one is a boutique winery in Alikampos Village and is only about 40 minutes from Chania. They produce 200,000 to 250,000 bottles of organic wine per year using Romeiko grapes from their own vineyards and sourcing some from local producers. You must try the white Malvasia Aromatica Cretan wine with aromatic and citrus notes from their vast collection.

 

• Karavitakis Winery

This winery began about 90 years ago, making it one of the oldest wineries in Crete. The Karavitakis winery produces about 80% local indigenous Cretan wines and around 20% international ones. While Vidiano is the flagship wine at this winery, they try to capture the essence of Crete in each bottle of wine.

 

One of the best ways to sample the delectable wine at these wineries and several more spread across the island is to hire a car in Crete. You can book one from car rental services like Cretarent and make your wine tasting even more delightful.

How Long Term Car Rentals Mean Big Time Savings

If you require renting a car for over 28 days, you can easily save money by opting for a long term rental plan. They can be fixed for 1-11 months, each month offers you a proportion of savings. The longer the period is, the more you can save. Some firms rent a car Crete for a minimum of seven days. This ensures that the customer gets the vehicle at an already discounted daily price.

Various benefits

Other benefits of long term rentals entail not giving the vehicle every month. All rental contracts for the desired months of the vehicle's use are set initially. Some companies will require having the car checked and serviced after a particular mileage count. You will get a bill every month. Other firms provide hotel points and airline miles to individuals who opt for monthly rental plans and sign up for their regular traveller program. Also, you have the 24 hr emergency service that you can get in touch with no matter where you are.

Flexibility and freedom

When you opt to rent a car Crete long term, it offers you the flexibility and freedom that you only get by owning a car; but without actually having to buy one and spend on overhead in tax and maintenance. If your workplace is far away from home, you can rent a car for the long term rather than purchasing a car for a few years. Even if you happen to resell your owned car, you will still stand to lose in deprecation.

Check schemes before renting

There are some companies through which you can save money by renting for 28 days instead of a 30-day regular period. You must check the schemes and compare them with other daily rentals to observe if you should opt for a long term rental plan. Otherwise, there are companies that you can opt for which provide savings on monthly plans.

Verdict

One thing that you must note when choosing a car rental firm, is that some firms provide inexpensive rates. But they will increase the budget with surcharges, insurance, and other amenities. Have your calculator in hand to calculate the exact price that you would be paying. 

Tips on How To Get The Most Out Of Budget Car Rental

Tips on How To Get The Most Out Of Budget Car Rental

 

Taking a holiday in a new city is a great rejuvenating experience that all of you must have at least once a year. You can plan your vacation to Crete. The beautiful island is the perfect spot to spend a summer holiday with your friends and family in tow. Crete has the best hospitality to offer. You do not even have to worry about the transportation here as you can do a car hire Crete at the best prices.

Car hire Crete has many advantages. There is no dependence on public transportation. You can take your car anywhere you want with utmost comfort and enjoy privacy throughout exploring Crete.

Here are some easy tips on how to get the most of the budget car hire Crete.

1. Always do some research about the car rental services operating themselves throughout Crete? Doing research will help you gather the best leads and choose a pocket-friendly car rental service.

2. Do not settle down with just one lead of the car hire, Crete. Instead, compare prices of the 3-4 services with each other and then decide on the most budget-friendly service to save yourself some money.

3. Read the reviews and ratings of the car rental services to learn whether they offer their cars at a budget-friendly price or more than the market price. Of course, reading reviews will help you choose the best service too.

4. Always look for deals and discounts when you opt for car hire Crete. Even when you are booking a car rental from a third-party website or app, there are chances you can get favorable deals and discounts.

5. Last but not least, it is not wrong if you negotiate with the car rental service in Crete to provide you with the best price for renting a car. Negotiation often comes to your help and helps you save a lot of money.

 

We hope the above-listed tips come to your rescue when you choose a car hire Crete service. So start your hunt, and we wish you the best budget-friendly holiday in Crete.

Steps to Choose Wisely a Local Car Rental Company in Crete

Crete is a beautiful island, and you must explore it with your family or friends while on vacation. You can rent a car here as car hire Crete is available extensively throughout the island. All you need to do is hunt down for the best one, understand their policies and other rules, and then set out on exploring the beautiful Crete on wheels.

Here is how you can choose the best car hire Crete from a local service/company:

1.    The first thing to keep in mind while hiring Crete is to count the number of people traveling in your car. It will help you set your budget and choose the car in the right size. For example, if you are only 2-3 people, you can hire a hatchback. But if you are traveling in a group and want to occupy more than four people, choosing an SUV is a good idea.

 

2.  The pieces of luggage, too, have a role to play while opting for car hire, Crete. You will not face many problems because car rental services barely care about the weight of your luggage. Ensure that the car rental company provides a roof rack.

 

3.    Before you hire a car in Crete, check all their policies, including the kind of insurance that they are provided, and everything included within their insurance policy. Reading all the terms and conditions associated with insurance will help you choose a more reliable service and save you from spending unwanted money if your car meets any big/minor accident.

 

4.    Always check the condition of the vehicle that a car hire rent provides. Look into the interior as well as the exterior of the vehicle. Please inquire about the technical specifications of the car with them. Ensure that the car is equipped with all the safety features such as seat belts, airbags, and others.

 

Once you have found a suitable vehicle that accommodates your group, the next step is to know how much they charge for the services. Always choose an affordable service, but do not compromise quality and safety.