A Beautiful Experience!

This trip is my very favorite one out of the many worldwide volunteering trips that I've taken over the years. I really cannot praise the whole experience enough! Global Volunteers stay at the Handakas Hotel in the village of Amoudara, located near the capital of Crete (Heraklion). The hotel was the best one that I have ever stayed at! It's no Hilton, but I would take it over a Hilton any day. The atmosphere is peaceful (and occasionally very fun- I'll get to that), the building itself is beautiful, the food is always fresh (they have a garden), the owners are lovely people, and the bedroom conditions are very satisfactory. The team manager of the Crete program often brings her family over to the hotel, and it seems that the owners also bring their family and friends to the hotel for an evening dip in the pool, or just to hang out. It's a very relaxing scene!
A special note on the food: the meals that you have at the hotel are always very tasty. You will get a few repeats, but that shouldn't be a problem in the big picture. It's possible to get soda and sweet things at the hotel, but they usually bring out water to drink and a peach for dessert, unless you ask otherwise. They have a nice little bar in the dining room, as well as a radio that you are free to control, and a good working space to plan out your teaching lessons (in the same room). The food outside of Handakas is great as well. If you are a vegetarian, it won't be an issue (I don't think vegans would have trouble either, but I can't be too sure).
The program itself is a summer school in Gazi. Volunteers help to teach the students English, but in a summer-school type of way. The children are a true joy to work with; they are always bursting with enthusiasm to learn and have fun, and they seem to really enjoy having people from different countries visit their own. The only downside of the school is the lack of air conditioning, which can get to you. But once you accept this fact and get over it, any trouble with the matter is easily forgotten.
The town of Amoudara is a lovely place to be. Whenever you pass by an oleander bush, the sweet scent fills the air around you; wherever you go, people are always welcoming and glad to have you there; and it doesn't hurt that there's a great beach nearby! During the weekends, you are more than able to go around to different places in Crete (in the general area, so as to ensure your presence at school on Monday) and explore the island, whether by seeing the history, the nature, or just being a tourist in general.
The team that I worked with all bonded terrifically over the course of the standard two-week stay. We're all good friends, and we still keep in touch two years later. If you take this trip, I guarantee that it will stand out among any other trips that you have taken, and if you are a first-timer to "voluntourism," I guarantee that you will be a convert. There is something for everyone here, and I cannot recommend this trip to you enough.