Has anyone been to the Greek islands?

About to book a late deal, and take advantage of the Greek economic meltdown (someone has to).

Firstly, is anyone aware of the prices of everyday shenanigans out there? How has their current financial hoo-hah effected this? I'm aware it has a reputation for being a tad pricey, but if it's ridiculous then I'll have to re-consider.

Secondly, It seems that Kefalonia is my favoured choice. However Rhodes/Crete/Corfu/Zante/Halkidiki are all possibilities and I'm just wondering if anyone's been. I'm not looking for anything too rowdy, just a relaxing break as a couple.

Any Greek expertise and knowledge will be much appreciated!

About to book a late deal, and take advantage of the Greek economic meltdown (someone has to).

Firstly, is anyone aware of the prices of everyday shenanigans out there? How has their current financial hoo-hah effected this? I'm aware it has a reputation for being a tad pricey, but if it's ridiculous then I'll have to re-consider.

Secondly, It seems that Kefalonia is my favoured choice. However Rhodes/Crete/Corfu/Zante/Halkidiki are all possibilities and I'm just wondering if anyone's been. I'm not looking for anything too rowdy, just a relaxing break as a couple.

Any Greek expertise and knowledge will be much appreciated!

My parents have been to Kefalonia at least twice and they loved it. Not too pricey when they've been, but things have changed lately, as you mentioned.

I forgot to mention, one of my mates has been to Zante/Zakynthos and he loves the place. Again, prices are OK there.

My parents have been to Kefalonia at least twice and they loved it. Not too pricey when they've been, but things have changed lately, as you mentioned.

Cheers Nedd, I just hope that they don't bail out of the Euro leaving me with a completely redundant currency! That's a worst case scenario though.

Last edited by OhhhGa on Fri May 25, 2012 4:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.

About to book a late deal, and take advantage of the Greek economic meltdown (someone has to).

Firstly, is anyone aware of the prices of everyday shenanigans out there? How has their current financial hoo-hah effected this? I'm aware it has a reputation for being a tad pricey, but if it's ridiculous then I'll have to re-consider.

Secondly, It seems that Kefalonia is my favoured choice. However Rhodes/Crete/Corfu/Zante/Halkidiki are all possibilities and I'm just wondering if anyone's been. I'm not looking for anything too rowdy, just a relaxing break as a couple.

Any Greek expertise and knowledge will be much appreciated!

Went to Corfu in 1989 and loved it, although I'd expect it's changed quite a bit since then!

Went to Crete about 9 years ago and I loved it!

Didn't find it too expensive and I'd have thought that your Euros would go quite a way further now!

I've been to three different Greek islands, the mainland and Cyprus but that was more than a decade ago so anything I know will be ridiculously out of date. Sorry

I've been to three different Greek islands, the mainland and Cyprus but that was more than a decade ago so anything I know will be ridiculously out of date. Sorry

Certain things remain the same! Which ones have you visited and what were they like?

Forgot to mention that Corfu Town smelt like the sewers when I was there in 1989!

Lesvos is a very beautiful island but has high petrol prices. Word of warning - Greek hotel food is often poor, might be worth booking B&B and going to Tavernas instead.

My parents have been to Kefalonia at least twice and they loved it. Not too pricey when they've been, but things have changed lately, as you mentioned.

Cheers Nedd, I just hope that they don't bail out of the Euro leaving me with a completely redundant currency! That's a worst case scenario though.

You're welcome.

I'm no expert, but I honestly don't think the other European nations will allow Greece to go pop. The reason I say that, is because it's then a case of how many others will go the same way - Spain for one.

I think the media need to calm down with the scaremongering and let it all takes its course now. It has to get better, surely, doesn't it?

I've been to three different Greek islands, the mainland and Cyprus but that was more than a decade ago so anything I know will be ridiculously out of date. Sorry

Certain things remain the same! Which ones have you visited and what were they like?

Crete, Kos and Corfu, but I can't really remember that much about them. Was such a long time ago and they've all merged into one blur.

They were all very nice though if that helps : P

I used to live in Greece and visited most of the islands and a lot of the mainland and i'd thoroughly recommend it, much nicer than the Costas. My favourite island is Santorini, a tad pricey but so beautiful.

About to book a late deal, and take advantage of the Greek economic meltdown (someone has to).

Firstly, is anyone aware of the prices of everyday shenanigans out there? How has their current financial hoo-hah effected this? I'm aware it has a reputation for being a tad pricey, but if it's ridiculous then I'll have to re-consider.

Secondly, It seems that Kefalonia is my favoured choice. However Rhodes/Crete/Corfu/Zante/Halkidiki are all possibilities and I'm just wondering if anyone's been. I'm not looking for anything too rowdy, just a relaxing break as a couple.

Any Greek expertise and knowledge will be much appreciated!

Don't believe what you read in newspapers. The Greek government are fucked but that is not unusual, they spent the last 1000 years or so that way so the people are used to it.

I was last in Kefalonia around 1988 and it was a lovely place but development had only just started, I imagine it is way different now. There are hundreds of islands that you will not have heard of that can only be reached by ferry if yer lucky, small boats if yer not and you will be welcomed by the locals everywhere. If I was twenty years younger I'd grab a flight to Athens, pre-booked taxi to Piraeus (that's the main Athens Port), jump on one of the smaller ferries and see where it takes me. The larger ones go to the main islands and don't generally stop at the smaller islands, a bit of research on this here internet will sort you out.

It can be done without any planning whatsoever but I would advise buying "open" return air tickets as most Greek Islander's don't put too much faith in clocks shall we say

About to book a late deal, and take advantage of the Greek economic meltdown (someone has to).

Firstly, is anyone aware of the prices of everyday shenanigans out there? How has their current financial hoo-hah effected this? I'm aware it has a reputation for being a tad pricey, but if it's ridiculous then I'll have to re-consider.

Secondly, It seems that Kefalonia is my favoured choice. However Rhodes/Crete/Corfu/Zante/Halkidiki are all possibilities and I'm just wondering if anyone's been. I'm not looking for anything too rowdy, just a relaxing break as a couple.

Any Greek expertise and knowledge will be much appreciated!

Don't believe what you read in newspapers. The Greek government are fucked but that is not unusual, they spent the last 1000 years or so that way so the people are used to it.

I was last in Kefalonia around 1988 and it was a lovely place but development had only just started, I imagine it is way different now. There are hundreds of islands that you will not have heard of that can only be reached by ferry if yer lucky, small boats if yer not and you will be welcomed by the locals everywhere. If I was twenty years younger I'd grab a flight to Athens, pre-booked taxi to Piraeus (that's the main Athens Port), jump on one of the smaller ferries and see where it takes me. The larger ones go to the main islands and don't generally stop at the smaller islands, a bit of research on this here internet will sort you out.

It can be done without any planning whatsoever but I would advise buying "open" return air tickets as most Greek Islander's don't put too much faith in clocks shall we say

Speaking to my folks, who have been there in the past year, Kefalonia hasn't changed too much from years ago.

It is expensive at the moment......been told things on the menu don't have prices right now....they'll see what they can get out of you....desperate times calls for desperate measures I suppose.

About to book a late deal, and take advantage of the Greek economic meltdown (someone has to).

Firstly, is anyone aware of the prices of everyday shenanigans out there? How has their current financial hoo-hah effected this? I'm aware it has a reputation for being a tad pricey, but if it's ridiculous then I'll have to re-consider.

Secondly, It seems that Kefalonia is my favoured choice. However Rhodes/Crete/Corfu/Zante/Halkidiki are all possibilities and I'm just wondering if anyone's been. I'm not looking for anything too rowdy, just a relaxing break as a couple.

Any Greek expertise and knowledge will be much appreciated!

Been to all those islands and Halkidiki which is on the mainland and out of all of them it I would have preference for Zante and Kefalonia. If you like beach holidays it would have to be Zante where the beaches are much better than Kefalonia.

In Zante the best resort is Kalamaki which has an outstanding beach and loads of tavernas for evening meals. Cava Doro Hotel is good value, it's centre of the resort with loads of Tavernas around it and it also has a nice bar for a drink before having a meal. If you want something with a more life in the evening Laganas is only a short taxi drive away, but if you really want something quiet Laganas would probably not be for you.

Kefalonia is a lovely island but is very hilly and you may find yourself walking up some pretty steep hills if your luck is out but again fantastic tavaernas and if it had better beaches would be great.

But in my opinion the best greek island is Skiathos, absolutely stunning and if you like beaches Koukanaries has the most beautiful beach, but Touros and Agia Praskevia are nice as well and Skiathos Town has some fantastic tavernas and is only a short taxi or bus ride from anywhere on the island. You may have to fly from Bristol of one of the London airports and because the airport runway is so short they don't refuel on the island so you have to land on the mainland after leaving Skiathos to refuel. There has never been a recorded crime on Skiathos and that just adds to the beauty of the place a really perfect greek island for a laid back holiday.

Several years ago i was with a group that sailed around the Greek islands. Starting off at Corfu and taking in most of the islands Habitable or not including Kefalonia (Which wasn't commercialized at the time which made it better IMO) finishing in Zante. That my Friend was defo the best Holiday i have ever been on, pure class. Done that twice and still have fond memories of that (awesome)

Thanks for all the advice chaps, much appreciated. It seems like Greece is the way to go!

Thanks for all the advice chaps, much appreciated. It seems like Greece is the way to go!

It is but remember don't go All Inclusive it's a rip off and before you book with a local travel agent try

http://www.sunshine.co.uk


Also don't worry about the cost of living we go to Greece pretty much every year and last year on Zante lager was 2 euros a pint and a three course meal with wine was about 25 euros.

It is but remember don't go All Inclusive it's a rip off and before you book with a local travel agent try

http://www.sunshine.co.uk


Also don't worry about the cost of living we go to Greece pretty much every year and last year on Zante lager was 2 euros a pint and a three course meal with wine was about 25 euros.

We're going self-catering/bed and breakfast, hopefully we'll explore more that way and won't feel tied to the hotel!

At those prices it'll be a pretty good holiday Thanks for the info!

My parents have been to Kefalonia at least twice and they loved it. Not too pricey when they've been, but things have changed lately, as you mentioned.

Cheers Nedd, I just hope that they don't bail out of the Euro leaving me with a completely redundant currency! That's a worst case scenario though.

If they bail out of the euro, what's to stop you exchanging your euros back to pounds? Or to drachma for that matter?

My parents have been to Kefalonia at least twice and they loved it. Not too pricey when they've been, but things have changed lately, as you mentioned.

Cheers Nedd, I just hope that they don't bail out of the Euro leaving me with a completely redundant currency! That's a worst case scenario though.

If they bail out of the euro, what's to stop you exchanging your euros back to pounds? Or to drachma for that matter?

Primarily the hastle of doing so is a worry. Secondly, the transition period between leaving the euro, and adopting a new currency, would lead to a terrible exchange rate. However it's unlikely and I can't see them leaving the euro (famous last words?).

Now the Drachma that was a real currency better than this euro A.K.A DeutchMark.

Seriously if you're worried take some sterling you'll have no problem getting someone to change it and usually better exchange rates than you get in this country. Drachma or euro - Trust Me

Now the Drachma that was a real currency better than this euro A.K.A DeutchMark.

Seriously if you're worried take some sterling you'll have no problem getting someone to change it and usually better exchange rates than you get in this country. Drachma or euro - Trust Me

I'll probably just take euros, hopefully should be okay

So food prices and such shouldn't be a worry?

Now the Drachma that was a real currency better than this euro A.K.A DeutchMark.

Seriously if you're worried take some sterling you'll have no problem getting someone to change it and usually better exchange rates than you get in this country. Drachma or euro - Trust Me

I'll probably just take euros, hopefully should be okay

So food prices and such shouldn't be a worry?

Absolutely not prices are very competitive amongst tavernas and there tend to be fewer tourists than a few years ago, at least it was like that on Zante last year. Also prices in supermarkets are good especially beers, wines and spirits. Last year we got a 1/2 ltr bottle of Ouzo for 4 euros. F******g rocket fuel it was.

Just pick the right island, the right resort, the right accomodation, go self catering and remember to try the tinternet before booking with a local travel agent.

We booked 2 weeks in Kos for 3 of us in the last two weeks in July in a one bedroom apartment for £1398 and the same holiday with Thomas Cook was £1748.

Sunshine.co.uk saved us £350 - same accomodation, same flights just different transfer to and from the airport.

just come back from kefalonia 3rds time it is a stunning island go to skala it is great,
if you can hire a car/bike and go up the coast to find some beaches which are stunning
usually just a few people on them and go on a boat trip ti ithica
if you need any info let me know

Thanks for the info, it's so re-assuring to know that the prices are reasonable! I hear the lager 'Mythos' is what everyone drinks, hopefully it's alright

We're looking going to either Skala or Lassi in Kefalonia. Anybody been? Any advice?

lassi is a bit isolated go to skala

lassi is a bit isolated go to skala

Sorted

Thanks for the info, it's so re-assuring to know that the prices are reasonable! I hear the lager 'Mythos' is what everyone drinks, hopefully it's alright

We're looking going to either Skala or Lassi in Kefalonia. Anybody been? Any advice?

Skala has the best beach absolutely no doubt but Lassi, where I stayed, has some fantastic tavernas on the main street. You could seriously eat somewhere different every night, including chinese, and not be disappointed. Nefelis is the best in my opinion total class.

From Lassi it's also a short taxi ride to Argostoli, the island capital, or a nice walk in the evening and again there are lots of tavernas and shops etc.

Lots of accomodation in Lassi is on hillsides, steep hillsides so research before you book. Believe it or not the Evans apartments, I'm not kidding are good value and close to a nice but small beach and not halfway up a mountain.