When viewing the list below bear in mind that many Cretan shops sell unusual combinations of items e.g. the Kalives toy shop also sells mobile phones; a greengrocer sells champagne etc.
The Tsivaras kafeneio (café) doubles as the village shop, bar, post office, bills settlement centre and gossip exchange.
It sells all the essentials (except fresh milk) - bread, vegetables, eggs, general provisions, wines, spirits, beer, soft drinks, crisps etc. It opens at about 07:00 until 14:00 and 17:00 until the last customers leaves.
Nearby villages have a wide range of shops.
Local Facilities
In case you need medical treatment while on holiday bring with you a new Form E111, available from UK Post Offices or downloadable from the Internet. Greece only accepts Form E111 as valid for one year. After 31 December 2005 Form E111 will be replaced by the new European Health Insurance Card. Under the terms of EU reciprocal arrangements this will entitle you to free treatment in the State sector and 75% reduction on the cost of medicines prescribed during your holiday in Greece.
There are three GPs (one male, two female) and two dentists within 5km. There is also a Medical Centre at Vamos, a small clinic with several doctors and an ambulance service. It’s equipped to cope with minor accidents and injuries as well as general medical care.
For more serious accidents or illnesses the major hospital in the region is Hania General Hospital.
This large, modern facility, judged on the basis of a single visit to the emergency unit - resulting in a two day stay - we think offers excellent medical care. Friends have also reported receiving excellent care promptly.
Most doctors speak pretty good English.
Cretans regard tavernas as places to eat. If you only want a drink go to a bar or café. If you must go to a taverna you will be more appreciated if you at least make the gesture of eating - just a couple of starters or a mezé is OK. (Would you go to a restaurant at home only to drink?).
Tip!
Eating at the apartment is simple as cooking facilities are provided - a standard size oven and five-zone ceramic hob; there’s also a barbeque. Some fresh vegetable and salad items are available from the kafeneio/shop in the village and both Kalives and Vamos have a wide range of food shops (see table above).
Alternatively, there are the take-out fast food shops in Kalives and a pizzeria quite close. Also, given notice, many tavernas will provide a take out meal.
As you would expect in a popular seaside area there are plenty of tavernas, cafés, bars and fast food places (but don’t think ‘McDonalds’), especially in the main resorts. There are at least thirty tavernas and dozens of cafés and bars within ten minutes drive of Tsivaras.
Most are in the main centres but there are many excellent places just off the beaten track, in smaller villages, within easy reach.
Most serve excellent food (we’ve been slightly disappointed twice in twelve holiday visits and three years as residents) and are amazingly cheap.
In a good local taverna a full meal, including house wine, will cost about €15 (£10.50) per head. (There are some that are a little more expensive but they generally have a more varied or more extensive menu - the most we’ve ever paid is €17 (£12) per head). Visit a small, family taverna in a village a few kilometres away from the coast and it will be cheaper still. In many cafés a good snack, say a club sandwich with a plate of chips, will be less than €3.50 (£2.50).
Vegetarian menus are rare (but becoming more common). Many dishes are suitable anyway, especially amongst starters and there’s a wide choice of salads. If asked, most tavernas are happy to provide a starter of main course size, serve you with as many starters as you want without a main course or maybe prepare something special on the spot.
A pleasant difference between here and the UK is that you can spend as long as you like in a café with one drink without being made to feel uncomfortable (it’s not unheard of for local people to sit in a café for half an hour or more waiting for the bus without buying anything). It’s the same in tavernas after a meal. We have never been asked, “Would you like your bill now?” You stay unmolested until you ask for the bill.
If faced with unfamiliar menu items order enough food for your party and share it.
Most Cretans order food ‘for the table’ so it’s quite normal to share dishes. A young child is given bits of what the adults are eating. A spare plate is usually provided automatically
This is useful if you have a child who might be overwhelmed by a full portion. (Children’s menus were unheard of until recently but some tavernas are responding to the demands of tourists).
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http://www.apartment.creteforyou.com
Tel: +30 28250 32562 Mob:+30 6947 236 529
e-mail: enquiries@apartment.creteforyou.com
Fax: Not currently available
Margarita’s, Tsivaras 5, Kalives 73003, Xania, Crete, Greece.
