Journal: Everything We Have Written, Newest First

September 2026

• Cretan Food: What to Eat, What to Buy and WhenTaste CreteWhat Cretan food actually is, the dishes and cheeses you will meet, what to put in the first shop, and what is in season month by month.
• Cretan Breakfast: What It Is, and How to Make OneTaste CreteWhat a Cretan breakfast is made of, how it differs from the hotel version, eight breakfasts from a villa kitchen, and how to order the coffee.
• Olive Oil Tasting in the GardenExperiencesThree Cretan extra virgin olive oils tasted side by side in your villa garden near Rethymno, each with a dish cooked to match it. How it is arranged.
• Long-Haul Arrival Planning for Your Crete Villa StayPlan Your StayPlan a long-haul arrival in Crete, including flight connections, transfer or hire car, check-in from 15:30, luggage and a slower first day.
• Cretan Wine Tasting at Your VillaExperiencesA guided tasting of Cretan wines in the garden or by the pool at your villa near Rethymno, each wine with a dish cooked to match it. How it is arranged.
• A Private Chef at Your Villa near RethymnoExperiencesA cook comes to your villa in Crete and cooks for your group. How to ask, what to tell Argyris, and what we do and do not promise.
• The Workshop That Became a HouseHouse storiesVilla Asteri was half family home, half my father’s carpentry workshop. His sideboard, his tools and the furniture are still in the house you stay in.
• Good to Know in Crete: A Practical A–Z for Villa GuestsPlan Your StayPractical Crete tips for villa guests: EES passport checks, money and tipping, plugs, water, health, emergency numbers, sea safety, fire season and pets.
• South Rethymno Beaches from a Private Villa BaseExplore CretePlan a South Rethymno beach day from your villa, with practical guidance and distances for Damnoni, Ammoudi, Plakias, Paligremnos and Preveli.
• Rethymno Carnival in Crete: A Villa-Stay Planning GuideExplore CretePlan a Rethymno Carnival stay with clear guidance on annual dates, crowds, families, parking, transport and using a villa as a calmer base.
• Knossos from Rethymno: Is the Long Cultural Day Worth It?Explore CreteDecide whether Knossos is worth the longer day from Rethymno, with official 2026 hours, prices, UNESCO context and a realistic museum pairing.
• Heraklion Archaeological Museum: A Guide for Villa Guests near RethymnoExplore CretePlan a visit to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum from a villa near Rethymno: highlights, hours, tickets, time needed, Knossos, children, parking and lunch.
• Easter in Rethymno, Crete: A Villa-Stay GuideExplore CretePlan Easter in Rethymno, Crete, with Holy Week traditions, festive food, spring activities, travel guidance and a private villa stay.
• Crete Beyond Peak Summer: A Villa-Stay Guide to May, June, September and OctoberExplore CreteCompare May, June, September and October for a Crete villa stay, with honest guidance on weather, pools, seasonal openings and daily rhythm.
• Christmas and New Year in Rethymno, Crete: A Villa-Stay GuideExplore CretePlan Christmas and New Year in Rethymno, Crete, with local traditions, festive food, winter activities, travel guidance and a private villa stay.
• Best Day Trips from Rethymno: Where to Go from Your VillaExplore CreteDay trips from the villas near Rethymno: Arkadi, the Amari valley, Psiloritis, gorges, the south coast, Knossos and the far west, with honest distances.
• Best Beaches near Rethymno for Villa GuestsExplore CreteChoosing a beach near Rethymno for your group: easy north-coast swims, what facilities there are, Old Town combinations and south-coast trips.
• Arkadi, Ancient Eleutherna, Margarites and Melidoni: A Cultural Day RouteExplore CreteAn inland route through Arkadi, Ancient Eleutherna, Margarites and Melidoni: distances from the villas, honest pacing and shorter versions.
• Stavromenos, Rethymno: A Coastal Village and Villa Base near the BeachExplore CretePlan a stay in Stavromenos village near Rethymno: the coast and the beach walk, shops, car and airport planning, day trips, seasons and Villa Argiris.
• Spili Village Guide: The Lion Fountain and a Real Pause on the Road SouthExplore CreteA stop in Spili: the fountain with 25 lion-head spouts, the square and the lanes above it, how long to allow and how it fits a day south.
• Rethymno, Crete: Why It Works So Well as a Villa Holiday BaseExplore CreteSee why the Rethymno region can work as a balanced private-villa base for city visits, beaches, villages, day trips and time at the villa.
• Rethymno Old Town Guide from a Private Villa BaseExplore CreteRethymno Old Town from a villa base: when to go, where to park, a walking route, the landmarks, where to eat, and what works with children.
• Rethymno City Guide for Private Villa GuestsExplore CreteRethymno city from a villa base: the seafront, the city beach, shopping, eating, parking and how it connects to the Old Town.
• How to Organise a Wedding Guest Stay in CreteMAZIOrganise wedding guest accommodation in Crete in six steps: households, villa setup, booking, arrivals, the wedding day and the morning after, near Rethymno.
• Best Villas near Rethymno for Wedding GuestsMAZICompare private villa setups near Rethymno for wedding guests, including individual Amazing Villas in Crete homes and MAZI in Asteri Village.
• Asteri Village or Stavromenos? Which Villa Location Fits Your Stay near Rethymno?Explore CreteAsteri Village or Stavromenos near Rethymno? Compare daily life, the beach walk, shops, seasons, history and which villa location suits your stay.
• Asteri Village Guide for Private Villa Stays near RethymnoExplore CretePlan a stay in Asteri Village near Rethymno: village atmosphere, beaches, shops, car and airport planning, day trips, accessibility and local villas.
• Arkadi Monastery Guide: History, Faith and a Place of MemoryExplore CreteVisit Arkadi Monastery near Rethymno: hours and admission, what to see, the 1866 siege, respectful visiting advice and how it fits a day from your villa.
• Ancient Eleutherna and Museum Guide: Where Crete’s Story Opens Beyond the MinoansExplore CreteVisit Ancient Eleutherna and its museum near Rethymno: current hours and admission, what to see, access notes and how to pair it with Margarites or Arkadi.
• Chania or Heraklion Airport: Which Is Better for Reaching Rethymno?Plan Your StayCompare Chania and Heraklion airports for a Rethymno villa stay, including flight choice, pre-booked car hire, transfers, luggage and late-arrival planning.
• Athens and Crete Villa HolidayPlan Your StayPlan Athens and a Crete villa stay without rushing: choose the order, protect transfer time and give Crete enough nights to become the main stay.
• Your First Evening in Asteri or StavromenosPlan Your StayPlan your first evening at an Asteri or Stavromenos villa, including shopping, check-in from 15:30, late arrivals, families and transfer planning.
• First 24 Hours Food Checklist for a Crete Villa StayTaste CretePlan your first day at a Crete villa: shopping by arrival time, a nearby taverna dinner, breakfast essentials and groceries ready before you arrive.
• Stay near Agreco Farm: Private Villas for Wedding GuestsMAZIPrivate villa accommodation near Rethymno for guests attending a wedding at Agreco Farm, with household, MAZI and transport-planning guidance.
• One Villa or Multiple Villas? Group Accommodation in CreteMAZIDecide whether one villa or separate nearby villas suit your family or group in Crete, using privacy, routines, bathrooms and coordination.
• Multigenerational Family Trip to CreteMAZIPlan a multigenerational family trip to Crete with the right villa layout, privacy, daily rhythm and MAZI option near Rethymno.
• What to Look for When Renting a Villa in CreteChoosing your villaBefore renting a villa in Crete, verify location, access, layout, pool facts, amenities, total cost, booking terms and arrival logistics.
• Villas near Rethymno: What to Know Before You BookChoosing your villaCompare villas near Rethymno by exact location, repeated journeys, village or coastal rhythm, access, car use and first-night planning.
• Villa vs Hotel in Crete: Which Stay Is Right for Your Trip?Choosing your villaCompare a villa and hotel in Crete by service, privacy, food, family routines, groups, cost, transport and trip length before choosing.
• Best Area to Stay in Crete for a Villa HolidayChoosing your villaCompare Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion, eastern Crete and the south coast by airport, repeated journeys, driving and villa rhythm.

August 2026

• Private Pool Villas in Crete: What to Check Before You BookChoosing your villaCompare private pool villas in Crete by shade, sightlines, access, privacy, season, outdoor dining and verified pool facts.
• Is Seven Days in Crete Enough?Plan Your StaySeven days are enough for one well-chosen Crete base. See a realistic balance of outings, Rethymno, villa time and travel margin.
• How to Plan a Crete Holiday That Does Not Feel Like WorkPlan Your StayPlan a Crete holiday that feels restful: choose one base, a few anchors, simple food decisions, flexible backups and real villa time.
• First Time in Greece? A Practical Start for Your Crete Villa StayPlan Your StayPlanning your first trip to Greece? Prepare documents, arrival, transport, money and a calm first evening for a Crete villa stay.
• Crete Villa Stay vs Greek Island HoppingPlan Your StayCompare a Crete villa stay with Greek island hopping: rhythm, transfers, luggage, group coordination, depth and time at your base.
• How to Choose the Right Villa in CreteChoosing your villaChoose a villa in Crete by matching location, daily rhythm, bedrooms, bathrooms, outdoor living, access and arrival plans to the people travelling.
• How Many Bedrooms Do You Need for a Villa in Crete?Choosing your villaWork out how many villa bedrooms your group needs by checking couples, children, bed types, bathrooms, room position and privacy.
• Group Villas in Crete: How to Choose the Right SetupChoosing your villaChoose a group villa in Crete by comparing households, bedrooms, bathrooms, shared spaces, transport and one-villa versus nearby-villa setups.
• Family Villas in Crete: What to Check Before You BookChoosing your villaChoose a family villa in Crete by checking children’s ages, rooms, stairs, pool supervision, shade, kitchen, laundry, location and arrival.

July 2026

• Driving and Parking at Amazing Villas in CretePlan Your StayPlan driving and parking for your Crete villa stay, including villa-specific directions, multiple vehicles, larger hire cars and what to confirm.
• What to Pack for a Private Villa Stay in CretePlan Your StayWhat to pack for a villa stay in Crete: documents, clothes by season, shoes, sun protection, things for children — and what to leave at home.
• What Happens After You Book Direct?Plan Your StayWhat happens after you book direct: confirmation, payment, express check-in, the arrival information and the welcome at the villa.
• Private Transfer or Car Hire for Your Crete Villa Stay?Plan Your StayCompare private transfer, hire car and mixed travel options for your Crete villa stay, based on arrival time, luggage, group size and travel plans.
• Group and Wedding Guest Arrival Planning in CretePlan Your StayPlan arrivals for a group or wedding party in Crete: separate flights, a lead guest, transport by household, luggage, check-in from 15:30 and the first evening.
• From Heraklion Airport to Your Villa near RethymnoPlan Your StayPlan your arrival from Heraklion Airport to a villa near Rethymno, including hire car or transfer, villa-specific directions, check-in and delays.
• From Chania Airport to Your Villa near RethymnoPlan Your StayPlan your arrival from Chania Airport to a villa near Rethymno, including hire car or transfer, villa-specific directions, check-in and delays.
• Family Travel Planning for a Villa Stay in CretePlan Your StayPlanning a family villa stay in Crete: the right villa for your children’s ages, cots and highchairs, pool supervision, car seats and the first day.
• Arrival, Check-in and Luggage at Amazing Villas in CretePlan Your StayPlan your arrival at Amazing Villas in Crete: check-in from 15:30, early luggage-drop arrangements, airport updates, flight changes and villa-specific directions.
• Do You Need a Car for a Villa Holiday near Rethymno?Plan Your StayPlanning a villa stay near Rethymno? Learn when you need a car, when buses or taxis may help, and how to choose one car, two cars or a mixed plan.