So, you want to come to Crete? Great plan! Below is a list of advice you won’t find on most travel sites. After visiting many times and now moving here, I have made notes below that aren’t obvious before coming. Save yourself some stress and make note of the below:

Use Google Maps, not Apple– This one we learned last year when we ended up in an olive grove- Apple Maps said it was a road, but we disagreed. Thankfully we were able to get out and back on the road with some effort and a good engine. Which leads me to my next piece of advice-

Rent a car with a good engine– This one is especially for summer when your car needs AC and also to make it up a hill and you would prefer it to be able to do both, at the same time. I will never forget when our sister asked why we were falling so behind following their car, and it was because our car couldn’t make it up the steep hills without turning off the AC and cheering Panda Panda Panda. Not sure if the cheering helped but we exchanged the car the next day for a new one.

Pack good walking shoes– Even a simple walk to dinner will involve steep hills and marble steps. Cute sandals without a good tread or heals are not recommended for anyone over 35. Upside? Your butt will look amazing after a few weeks on Crete:) Also, some beaches are rocky, good water shoes are needed. The water is so clear here you can see where you’re stepping but sometimes the rocks can be slippery, and we do have Sea Urchins you don’t want to step on.

Bring a sweater, even in summer-The days on Crete in the summer are hot! We have seen heat waves hit 94 degrees this month. That being said, the evenings can be breezy, and the sea air can be cool to cold. If you plan on eating dinner near sea you might get cold even when you were sweating hours earlier.

Want to pack lighter? Buy sunscreen, towels, and bug spray here– You can find anything you’ll need for a good beach day at any corner shop, and probably cheaper than in the US. Don’t pack bulky liquids, lotions, or even beach towels. You can find easy-to-pack Turkish Towels everywhere also, and they make a great souvenir to bring home with you.

ApplePay and credit cards are accepted almost anywhere– but always have some cash on hand. Larger cities on Crete are advanced in technology but if you think you’ll get off the beaten path to some of the smaller villages, cash is needed. Just bring your ATM card and withdraw money once you arrive, no need to bring a lot of Euros. Before you leave, check your bank’s policies on withdraws and also figure out which credit cards don’t charge foreign transaction fees. AMEX is rarely accepted in Europe.

Tipping is appreciated but not expected– always have a few Euros in your pocket to leave on a table as a thank you for good service. While the US has gotten out of hand on the tipping culture, in my opinion, Europe still looks at tipping as a nice to have. If you have sat at a table for a considerable amount of time, leave a few Euros. After a larger meal, for example, a table of 4- leave at least 5 Euro. Greek salaries are low and anything additional is appreciated. Most Greeks make the majority of their annual incomes during summer, while tourists are here.

Try to learn a few Greek words– A little effort goes a long way. The Greeks know their language is difficult and they will show their famous Cretan hospitality with a simple Yasou (hello), and Kalimera (good morning). Check my Useful Greek Phrases page for the most common words you can practice.

That’s all I can think of for now. A little update on our move: We are getting settled in. We bought a car, got an additional air conditioner for the heat waves I mentioned, and a new mattress. Not sure this feels like home yet but excited about the freedom the car allows for exploring more of the island. Greek class is going well. Being immersed in the language I’m learning a lot quicker than I was in Tampa. hearing phrases over and over is helping me remember a lot better for sure.