Shepherd House southern Crete fantastic sea view

The former shepherd's house, approximately 400 m from the sea and the village of Tertsa, has a breathtaking view over the green valley with bananas, fruits and vegetables to the village and the open sea. Due to the hilly terrain to the east and west, the climate here is particularly mild and sunny. Tertsa, with its 3 restaurants and a shop, is not a tourist hotspot, but there are beautiful beaches within walking distance where undisturbed, quiet swimming is still possible. The space Guests love the careful and tasteful renovation with stylish furnishings in the two connecting rooms of the former shepherd's house. The walls were rebuilt, the room height was increased and the old fireplace was repaired. The particularly large covered (partial shade) marble floor terrace directly in front of the living area is outstanding. It allows you to live outside all day! To the west on the same floor is the sanitary area with kitchen facilities. A toilet (accessible directly from the bedroom from the terrace) and a shower (on the right inside) are reserved only for our guests. Likewise, the small but well-equipped kitchen with refrigerator is only available to our guests. Up the stairs to the east is the large roof terrace. Deck chairs and a parasol can be taken up. Everything in the house is private property that we make available for careful use. We run the house according to ecological standards and sustainable criteria. After a booking, if possible, we will arrange a voluntary CO2 reduction with the guests over the phone for the entire stay. In Tertsa is no public canalization. The wastewater seeps into the ground. We therefore ask our holiday guests to ensure that the personal shower gels, shampoos and other cosmetic products they bring with them must be 100% natural (certified natural cosmetics). The appropriate natural products for dishwashing and house cleaning are available to guests. If you can only imagine temperatures over 40 degrees with air conditioning in July-August, it's better not to rent during this time! There is no electricity-intensive air conditioning, but there is a good and quiet ceilingfan, mobile one for the bedroom and a smaller cooling device for direct personal cooling (effective range approx. 1 -2 meters), which is filled with water and optionally with special ice packs (from the freezer compartment of the refrigerator). Due to its open design without doors, the house is not suitable if there are several guests and at least one person would like to have privacy to sleep. The house is also unfortunately not suitable for people with walking difficulties and small children due to short but steep access paths and/or stairs. The house and the place as a whole are not the right place for parties and celebrations. Guest access The Shepherd House can be reached along the path above the church towards the east and then up the long staircase to the large marble terrace on the left. The large terrace in front of the Shepherd House, the roof terrace above, the sanitary facilities to the west and the garden below the covered terrace are reserved exclusively for the guests of the Shepherd House. It rarely happens that someone gets “lost” and looks for the Tertsa_Retreat Center. Local people also used to have access via a smaller path (where the large terrace is today) up into the mountainous backyards, sometimes to vegetable patches. Today they can use the horizontal path above the church and then up the long staircase right next to the Shepherd House terrace to go there. Bettina lives on this eastern side, originally from Germany, but has known the area for a long time and lives in Tertsa. To the west of the garden below the large terrace is our Sykorodia holiday home, which is also rented out to guests. It is larger and therefore costs more. Other things to note Having a rental car is practical, especially if you want to take trips to various sights. These are numerous, but often extensive! In addition, there is no public transport to Tertsa. And the streets are often very hilly - high up and low down. Car rental is possible directly at Heraklion Airport. We would also be happy to recommend our good colleague Sylvie Steiner (originally from Basel), who has been running a small travel agency in the neighboring village of Mirtos for many years. She also arranges cars for rent. Of course you can also do it without a car. In this case, upon request, we will organize a taxi service from the airport to the house and back to the airport at the end of the stay (cost per trip currently 85 euros - to be paid directly in cash to the person driving). The journey takes around 1.5 hours and takes you across the island's highlands. The small village of Tertsa - located directly on the sea - and its hinterland enjoy warmer and sunnier weather than most surrounding regions thanks to its sheltered location with an almost tropical microclimate. Tertsa, with its hilly hinterland, is away from the main tourist flows. Around 50 local residents live here. There are good local food in the 3 different restaurants, and the most important food and other utensils for holidays and household are available in the mini market. There are around 70 guest beds in the few studios and apartments. Of the two ridges to the left and right of the green valley of Tertsa, the eastern ridge is covered with selenite crystals glittering in the sun, known for their restorative and relaxing effects. Small-scale agriculture (bananas) and domestic gardening are practiced in the valley. Tertsa is particularly suitable as a relaxation area with lots of open nature. The sea bathing options on Tertsa beach are varied and, with the necessary caution, safe. Diving goggles are recommended. Recently, isolated lionfish can rarely be observed around rocks. Touching the dorsal spines can be very painful. Especially west of Tertsa - around the corner of a rocky outcrop - skinny dipping is nothing unusual, but it is not an obligation. It is also important to take good mosquito repellent and a soothing ointment for mosquito bites with you. There are (depending on the season and especially when the sun goes down) annoying little sand flies ("Sknipes") that bite. Their bites are particularly itchy and last longer when you start scratching. It is better to apply a soothing ointment to an infestation and be patient for a quarter of an hour until the itching subsides. Ideally, you should ensure that the fly net doors present everywhere are always closed immediately. It is also helpful to switch on the existing insect killer device for a while in the dark. If there are no other lights on, the beasts will be attracted to them and die. Registration Details 00000172036