News and forthcoming events
Spring 2028 - New Airport opening at Kastelli, just south east of Heraklion. It was originally scheduled for late 2026 but delays in the new ETIAS system to 2027, plus taking the opportunity to install additional features, has delayed the opening. A new two lane road has been build to Herakion, but the new airport may add a few minutes to the journey to the villa. The old Heraklion airport will then close.
Please note the new ETIAS system in place for 2027.
August 2026 - Large bushfire at the end of July has destroyed the canteen, hotel and bars at Agios Pavlos beach. They will be closed for the rest of the season most likely. Take your own refreshmants. Our house is okay, but there is some burnt bush in surrounding areas near the villa. We apologise for this inconvenience, but it is a natural state of affairs in Crete and by next spring, it will all have grown back again.
Winter 2025 - NEW BATHROOMS! In spring we built new balconies, a new poolside pergola, decorated the outside, and replaced the French doors. This winter we are refreshing the two bathrooms with new units and tiling. We are also relaying some of the stonework in the areas around the house.
Summer 2023 - Very hot. There was a spell in July that was 43 degrees for several weeks. Thank goodness we had a pool and a beach nearby! Ida, our resident wild cat, had 3 kittens. The photo shows ‘Flash’ the adventurous one, with sister ‘Patch’. Other sister ‘Fringe’ is just off picture. It was a joy watching them play and be curious.
Autumn 2022 - New water pipes laid in to give us additional capacity during the hot summer months.
Summer 2022 - New WiFi ! We now have the ability to offer streaming via WiFi. The Russia/Ukraine war had severely damaged the Satellite service previously providing WiFi. The 4G back-up service was good for emails but not for streaming. The new service gives us unlimited WiFi via a microwave link to Agia Galini. HiTech comes to Villa Eleni!
Spring 2022 - Great news! Everywhere opening up again after Covid. In 2021 we won the “Best villa in Crete’ award. Satellite broadband extended for 2022.
No passenger locator form (PLF) now required!
November 2021 - Road to Villa Eleni now tarmac!
December 2020 - UK and EU agree a Brexit trade deal. Whilst at time of writing the details are still to be clarified, the general consensus is that this will make very little difference to tourism in Crete. However please be advised that all passengers arriving will need to complete a greek passenger Locator Form (PLF) and also have a valid CV-19 test less than 72 hrs old to enter the country. Be prepared for spot Covid checks at airports. UK visitors may now also require an international drivers license to hire a car, due to Brexit meaning the UK license is no longer recognised as an EU license.
Very few cases of Covid 19 in Crete to date.
July 2020 - Greek airports reopen after CV-19 lockdown. Both villas now meet Greek Covid requirements.
March 2020 - CORONAVIRUS - At time of writing the island of Crete is free from Coronavirus. As far as we are aware all flights are running, and supermarkets are open. Schools and archeological sites are closed. Please refer to your own country information for the current position. Villa Eleni is outside of the town and can be totally isolated. Villa Alexander is in a small hamlet but is also isolated.
March 2019 - new pool at Eleni finished.
March 2018 - Villa Eleni’s Martin and the Community Heartbeat Trust donate 3 new defibrillators to Rethymnon, and Agia Galini 4th defibrillator installed - Summer 2019 - defibrillators used 3 times - 2 x successful rescue.
July 2018 - Villa Eleni sponsors community fountain in Agia Galini
August 2018 - defibrillators donated to Panormo, and Rethymno fire department
October 2018 - German tourist life saved by Agia Galini defibrillator
October 2018 - Villa Eleni plans observatory for stargazers - ready for summer 2020 (postponed)