News and forthcoming events
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)