House Shepherd House Sea View Tertsa South Crete

The former shepherd's house, about 400 m from the sea and 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 embedding to the east and west, the climate here is particularly mild and sunny. Tertsa is not a tourist hotspot with its 3 restaurants and a shopping store, but there are beautiful beaches within walking distance, where undisturbed, quiet bathing is still possible. The space Guests love the carefully and tastefully done renovation with stylish furnishings in the two connected rooms of the former shepherd's house. The walls were rebuilt, the room height increased and the old fireplace repaired. The particularly large covered (semi-shade) marble floor terrace right in front of the living area is outstanding. It allows you to live outside all day! West of the side of the bedroom, the terrace is adjoined first by the separate toilet and then by the wing door to the shower and the small but well-equipped kitchen, which is intended just for our guests. East up the stairs to the large roof terrace. Sun loungers and a parasol can be taken up. Everything in the house is private property that we provide for careful use. We run the house according to ecological standards and sustainable criteria. After a booking, we will arrange a voluntary CO2 reduction covering the entire stay with guests by phone if possible. In Tertsa, there are no sewage treatment plants, the sewage seeps into the ground. We therefore ask our holiday guests to make sure that the personal shower gels, shampoos and other cosmetic products brought along must be 100% natural (certified natural cosmetics). We provide our guests with the appropriate natural products for dishwashing and house cleaning. If you can only imagine temperatures above 40 degrees with air conditioning in July-August, it is better not to rent during this time! There is no power-intensive air conditioning, but a good quiet ceiling fan in the living room, a mobile fan for the sleeping area and a smaller cooling device for direct personal cooling (effective range approx. 1 -2 meters), which is filled with water and optionally additionally with special ice packs (from the freezer compartment of the refrigerator). Due to its open construction without doors, the house is not suitable if at least one person would like to have their privacy to sleep with several guests. Unfortunately, the house is also not suitable for people with walking disabilities and small children due to short but steep access routes and/or stairs. The house and the place as a whole are not suitable for parties and celebrations. Guest access The Shepherd House can be reached along the path above the church to 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 it, the adjacent sanitary facilities to the west and the garden below the covered terrace are exclusively reserved for the guests of the Shepherd House. It rarely happens that someone "gets lost" and looks for the Tertsa Retreat Center. In the past, local people also had access via a smaller path (where the large terrace is today) up into the mountainous hinterland, partly to vegetable beds. Today they can use the horizontal path above the church and then the long staircase up right next to the Shepherd House terrace into the hinterland. On this eastern side lives Bettina, originally from Germany, but already familiar with the area and living in Tertsa. To the west next to the garden below the large terrace is our holiday home Sykorodia, which is also rented to guests. It is larger and costs more accordingly. Other things to note Having a rental car is convenient, all the more so if you want to make excursions to various sights. These are numerous, but often also extensive! In addition, there is no public transport to Tertsa. And the streets are often very hilly - high up and down. Car rental is possible directly at Heraklion Airport. We are also happy to recommend our good colleague Sylvie Steiner (originally from Basel), who has been in the neighboring village in Mirtos with a small travel agency for many years. She also arranges cars for rent. Of course, it is also possible without a car. In this case, we 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 driver). The trip takes about 1.5 hours and leads over the highlands of the island. The small village of Tertsa - located directly by the sea - and its hinterland enjoy warmer and sunnier weather than most surrounding regions thanks to the sheltered location with an almost tropical microclimate. Tertsa with its hilly hinterland is located away from the large tourist flows. About 50 local residents live here. In the 3 different restaurants there is good local food, in the mini market the most important food and other utensils for holidays and household are available. There are about 70 guest beds in the few studios and apartments. Of the two hills to the left and right of the green valley of Tertsa, the eastern hill is covered with selenite crystals glittering in the sun, which are known for their restorative and relaxing effect. In the valley, small-scale agriculture (bananas) and domestic horticulture are practiced. Tertsa is particularly suitable as a recreational area with lots of free nature. The swimming opportunities in the sea on the beach of Tertsa are versatile and, with the necessary caution, harmless. Diving goggles are recommended. Rarely, recently, firefish can be observed around rocks. Touching the back spines can be very painful. Especially west of Tertsa – around the corner of a rocky ledge – nude bathing is also not unusual, but not an obligation. It is also important to bring a good mosquito repellent and a soothing ointment for mosquito bites. There are (depending on the season and especially when the sun sets) annoying little sand flies ("Sknipes") that sting. Their bites itch especially and last longer when you start scratching. It is better to apply a soothing ointment in case of infestation and to have a quarter of an hour of patience until the itching subsides. Ideally, make sure that the fly screen doors everywhere are always closed immediately. It is also helpful to switch on the existing insect killer device for a while in the dark. If no other lights are on, the beasts are attracted to it and die. Registration Details 00000172036