Go to the bigger towns Heraklion and Rethemnon for shopping. Use the little train up to the main road and remember to buy a ticket with return from the attendant in the booth before entering the bus. Both Heraklion and Rethemnon bus-stations are fairly well organized and has some of its most important information written in English and German on signs/monitors. The buses are very modern, well maintained and has air-conditioning on a comfortable level that shouldn't give you a cold. Heraklion can be a good jumping point for island hopping by boat, since it has an active port next to the bus station.
