Safety Tips in Crete Island

The one thing that spoilt our trip to beautiful Vai beach was a young girl walking her dog. As dogs are want to do it fouled on the sand and she just covered it up with more sand. This was in an area that people would be sunbathing and treading over to get in and out of the water, so if you see dogs on the beach beware!!

Be careful driving in Crete. Cretians drive like they are on the German Autobahn, even though they are likely on a windy mountain road. Drivers that are happy with their speed drive on the shoulder of the road. This allows cars to cross without going into oncoming traffic lanes. Cars will pass on very windy roads and little visibility.

They don't ask nor do they tell you when you rent a car or motor bike that you need a international drivers license. If you get caught or in a accident you will get a ticket and any insurance that you took will be concidered void. You can get the license from AAA or other drivering orgs..

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I hiked above the caves and can say that I shouldn't have as it can result in you getting hurt or your knocking a rock down the hill that would hurt someone else. Sure you get a nice view and some great pictures but trust me it's a bit scarey and one day someone will get hurt. There's a fence at the top to stop the rocks from falling down the hill but it's not without large gaps. The ledge you walk on isn't that wide either.

Some of the towns of Crete, the footpaths are in a poor state of repair or none existant, this could be caused by the cars being parked on the footpath blocking your way. This was my only complaint about a lovely and friendly island and people.

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There is really nothing to be afraid of when on Crete Island.
The worst thing that can happen to you is the hangover, but I guess it is up to you.
Driving on Crete is the same as driving in any other vacation destination.
Crime rate is low, very low, comparing to other places.
You can still feel safe leaving your stuff on the beach, unless I guess your towel is made of gold.
Sometimes your hotel room may be a bit dusty, but hey, nobody want you to stay all day in your hotel, so who cares.
Crete is Crete, the most relaxed and inexpensive place in the world.

Well, and you might get attacked by the giant plate of food in the restaurant followed buy a bottle of raki.

If you do take your top off, you risk being filmed by the bartenders at Havanna (a pub in the barstreet) and they show it on a big display on a wall outside the bar. The guys at Havanna walk around at Star Beach filming bungee jumping AND half-naked girls.

Before we went to Crete we were told that there were so many break-ins and thefts on the island (especially in Hersonissos). We just ignored it because we thought it happened to irresponsible people who got drunk and left their purse unattended. One week into our holiday we were robbed for 500 EURO. Someone had breaken in at our hotel and taken all of the cash, but nothing else. We reported it straight away, but never found out who did it. There were no signs of breaking in, so someone must have had a key or lived next door and climbed over the balcony. Advice: DO RENT A SAFE!