Greek holidays

[yola]

As some of your here are Greece afficionados I thought I'd ask the experts

We have finally decided that a break is needed and will be going for a week's holiday weekend of 20/21 October. I've never been to Greece and I would love to start to get to know the country. However, I'm struggling to get the right combination of information on the best location (and I have a deep mistrust of high street travel agents) . . .

Our criteria are as follows:

1. Child friendly
2. Quiet but not too remote - definitely no night clubs (showin my age there )
3. Direct flight (not any kind of lengthy boat transfers etc)
4. Still warm at end of Oct, so I guess would need to be in the southern islands
5. Small villa preferred to hotel
6. Green and lush rather than rocky and barren
7. Some hills OK but we will have a pushchair so nothing moutainous

If anyone can recommend a location or alternatively a specialist, reputable agent; I'm all ears

[dinahsmum]

Originally Posted by yola

As some of your here are Greece afficionados I thought I'd ask the experts

We have finally decided that a break is needed and will be going for a week's holiday weekend of 20/21 October. I've never been to Greece and I would love to start to get to know the country. However, I'm struggling to get the right combination of information on the best location (and I have a deep mistrust of high street travel agents) . . .

Our criteria are as follows:

1. Child friendly
2. Quiet but not too remote - definitely no night clubs (showin my age there )
3. Direct flight (not any kind of lengthy boat transfers etc)
4. Still warm at end of Oct, so I guess would need to be in the southern islands
5. Small villa preferred to hotel
6. Green and lush rather than rocky and barren
7. Some hills OK but we will have a pushchair so nothing moutainous

If anyone can recommend a location or alternatively a specialist, reputable agent; I'm all ears

1. All of Greece is child-friendly!
2. My criteria too
3. Only island I've done with a boat transfer was Thassos, which is in sight of the mainland. However, it wouldn't be a recommendation for your circumstances now.
4. I think anywhere is still warm (though cooler mornings/evenings & shorter days of course) at that time of year.
5. Have only done really simple - never a villa.
6. Sounds like you want the Ionian Islands. We love them for their greenness (soaring Med. Cyprus etc) but also love the hotties (Crete etc) for their craggy Greekness
7. Noted - an important factor. But anywher small will mean unmade/broken pavements, stoney roads etc. So, no mountains but accepting that there may be some rough ground

OK. Ionian Islands = Corfu, Kefalonia, Zante and some tinies (boat required)
I haven't been to Zante. I know the main resort (?Laganis) is an '18-30' resort (I'll use that as shorthand. You know what I mean) I suspect there are other resorts which are lovely. I have a feeling that Lassi is very hilly.
I haven't been to Kefalonia either but will do before I die. The 'top end' of the island (Fiskardo) is beautiful, Italianate and survived the earthquake which devastated the island in the 1950s. The airport is 'interesting' I believe - don't look out of the window if you are a nervous flyer.
I found this on a quick search, but it's in the south of the island not Fiskardo. Pretty pictures though! and it might be a good place for you and the boys
http://www.travelfactfile.com/greece...lla.rental.php
Have been to Corfu 3 times. I was sceptical first time, thinking it may be spoilt by tourism. The 18-30 resorts are Kavos and Benitses, nicely isolated at the very south of the island - you never need go near them.
Have been to San Stefanos and Agios Gordis on the NW coast. Both small resort with nice beaches. SS larger than AG, which is basically one road leading down to the beach.
Flying time to Corfu is significantly less than island on the eastern side of the mainland.

Couple of links from a quick web search. Ag Gordis
http://travelalacarte.co.uk/property/white.htm
Looks nice

http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/greece/GR247.htm

San Stefanos
http://www.vintagetravel.co.uk/villa...s.cfm?p_id=473
Looks lovely but may be too elevated/need a car?

http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/rentals/corfu/19107

and this is a lovely hotel http://www.nafsikahotel.com/
Haven't stayed there, only eaten. Spiros (Yankee Greek) and His Mum and Dad run a great place with fantastic food.

I've wittered too much already. If you want me to eulogise over my favourite (so far) Grrek island, Lesvos, I will do. Longer flight, less green, probably more Greek. Also a longer land journey post-airport, so it probably wouldn't be top of your list at the mo.

Ahhhh, Greece


http://wwwdogsey.com/pics/25289Greek...t%20edited.JPG

[charliebubs]

I've been to Corfu and Crete and had lovely holidays there. It was a few years back though - but not party holidays - reading and sunbathing holidays!!!

The last time we stayed in the resort of Roda in Corfu and had a great time. It was quite flat and on the sea front - the part outside our hotel was pebbles, but there was a sandy beach a short walk further along. I'm not really sure about child-friendly, but I think that it would be.

That's probably not much help!!! lol

[babycakes]

I have been to Crete, Rhodes, Mykonos, Athens, Ios, Santorini, Kefalonia, Naxos, Paros, Antiparos, The ones in bold have airports.

All of Greece are very child friendly. They love children and fuss over them regardless of their age.

The further away you go the warmer it will be later on, such as Crete and Rhodes as they are closer to Africa.

Villa's tend to be dearer but they may be less in late October, however all the hotels are child friendly too (most having other children there, pools and accomadate child's tastes in food). And bus routes usually operate outside the door. But don't go all inc or too high up the stars as this will loose the 'Greekness' and also doesn't mean much in Greece as the 3 star places are about as good as it gets.

Most of the islands are rocky but have flater areas but islands such as Crete are longer so hilly areas are spread out away from resorts.

Avoid the obvious towns such as Malia in Crete, Falaraki in Rhodes, Kardemena in Kos, as they are the party areas.

Every time you turn a corner the scenery is breathtaking, boating trips are a must, the food and wine are excellent, the Greeks are the most hospitable people on Earth, be prepared to chill cos nothing is done in a rush or on time. Good luck I hope you love Greece as much as I do.

[yola]

Thank you all so much for your comments. I've had a bit of a bad day today (I'll update tomorrow/Wednesday - but nasty bereavement), and I will be sure to read up on all advice offered and let you know where I've managed to find as this is going to be quite a key holiday for us as a family

Thanks again

[babycakes]

Sorry you have had bad/sad news Yola. XX

[mable1718]

Ive only ever been to Korfu and it was mint so i recomend greece

[dinahsmum]

Hope you're feeling a bit more yourself today Yola.

here's a few more links for you.
1. general for San Stefanos
http://www.sanstefanos.co.uk/index.html

2. general for Aghios Gordis (including a little forum! haven't looked at that, but I will and will be interested to see what people ask/say)
http://www.agni.gr/guides/resort_guide/ag_gordios.asp

3. another for Ag Gordis
http://www.agios-gordios.net/

[yola]

Hilary, slow down!! I'm only just getting through the previous links Think I may have found a lovely little apartment complex (like, 3 apartments + pool + beautiful garden + beachside) in Crete - just need to check flights. HOW much cheaper to contact directly - probably about 1/3 of the price of the gum smacking, money-grabbing and disinterested high street travel agent

I'm better thanks for asking - still trying to help with sorting family bits out (my Aunt's till at 6s and 7s at the moment) and giving Dominik some quality time also before school starts again in a week's time, it's all keeping me busy.

Hope to be back here full(ish) strength in the next few days

[Erin]

book direct Yola,travel agents are sooo expensive,oh hang on do you have a co-op travel near you?they price beat,well they used to when I worked for them.I f you get a price direct from a tour operator,then go to the Co-op (other high street agents may price beat too) and see if they can beat the price for you. Co-op beat the Disney co price when I went to disney paris a couple of years ago