Has anyone been to the Greek islands?

Yes, first time was Laganas in Zante 26 years ago, Rhodes was good and Kos too, last summer we went back to Laganas for the wifes 60th. had a great time, stayed at the Zante Plaza family run hotel, it was superb, food was excellent and the welcome and service was 1st. class.

They both sound great, I'm looking forward to this now

I'll have to research those apartments (my surname is Evans, is this fate? ) but all the accommodation I've seen looks fairly good! I don't want to be too isolated, so being close to Argostoli is a bonus. Is that a nice place?

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.

Excellent Nedd really pleased to hear that. I first visited in 1982. Wasn't much different to 88 but folk had started to come back to the Island and as Ole Bob said "times they are changing". A new hotel/bar had been built on the site of my favorite little place, I remember being aghast ney shocked at the building as I walked passed. Cold beer Steve? Eh? What, shit, whats all this then! Long story short, grandmother went out back, grabbed a chicken which became our dinner, cooked on the Kiln thing. I did the salad and stuff in the new stainless steel kitchen that granny refused to go into. We ate together with a couple of cold ones.

As you can see I love the Greek Islands, get away from the heavy duty tourists stuff and you can have a wonderful time.

They both sound great, I'm looking forward to this now

I'll have to research those apartments (my surname is Evans, is this fate? ) but all the accommodation I've seen looks fairly good! I don't want to be too isolated, so being close to Argostoli is a bonus. Is that a nice place?

Trust me Skala is nice but Lassi has more going for it and having Argostoli so close is a big bonus. One thing is there is a ferry from Argostoli to Luxouri every 30 minutes or so and it makes for a nice evening to have a 10 minute boat trip over and have a meal. Again Luxouri is a nice town.

Kefalonia was named after King Kefalos and the island is I believe the only one where the capital is not named after the island. The reason is King Kefalos had 4 children 3 boys, Luxouri, Sami and Poros and he named the major towns in the South, East and West of the iland after his sons. But the capitol he named after his daughter, Argostoli, fathers and their daughters we haven't got a chance have we.

Alright, at present I'm favouring Lassi I won't be disappointed with Skala, or any other island for that matter!

Our second choice is Rhodes, namely Pefkos (as that's what happened to come up on late deals). Any idea what it's like? How does Rhodes compare to Kefalonia?

(Geeez, not only are you knowledgeable on the islands but your Classical Greek History is extensive )

Many thanks

Went to Kefalonia a while back, and it was lovely.

Top place. The people there were welcoming, too.

Enjoy your holiday!

Went to Kefalonia a while back, and it was lovely.

Top place. The people there were welcoming, too.

Enjoy your holiday!

Cheers

Alright, at present I'm favouring Lassi I won't be disappointed with Skala, or any other island for that matter!

Our second choice is Rhodes, namely Pefkos (as that's what happened to come up on late deals). Any idea what it's like? How does Rhodes compare to Kefalonia?

(Geeez, not only are you knowledgeable on the islands but your Classical Greek History is extensive )

Many thanks

Got a mate who goes back to Rhodes every year, Tsambika, we did it one year and it was nice but overall Rhodes didn't leave a big mark on us not like Skiathos, Zante, Mykanos, Corfu and Kefalonia. We think you miss something if you go back to the same island year after year so we have done loads.

Do Kefalonia you won't be disappointed.

Okay, I'll take heed to your advice and go to Lassi, Kefalonia

Thanks so much for all the advice, it's really useful and much appreciated! Where are you off this year?

Been to Zante Twice,Alykanas and then tsilivi both were brilliant

Okay, I'll take heed to your advice and go to Lassi, Kefalonia

Thanks so much for all the advice, it's really useful and much appreciated! Where are you off this year?

Tingaki on Kos never been before so really looking forward to going.

I go to Rhodes every year, the same hotel every time too. I love it. We go to where a lot of older folk go. Been to Zakynthos a few times as well, my son has a house there

Best advice I can give you is to pack a suitcase of Johnnies as there is many a shag to be had out there

Santorini is nice too, my youngest son got married there.

trust me you need to go to skala it has the best beaches and also has a great nightlife,if you hire a car drive up
the east coast poros way and you will find stunning beaches

Thanks for all the advice chaps, looks like I'll be heading to Kefalonia in late June/early July with any luck!

Thanks for all the advice chaps, looks like I'll be heading to Kefalonia in late June/early July with any luck!

Lucky so and so. Have a good one.

Cheers

Im in kefalonia now...been here since Tuesday. The weather is really warming up....25 degrees today at least. The bars and tavernas are way quieter than they should be....its really sad. A beer will set you back between 3 and 5 euros and a normal greek dish about 8 euros. Times are hard here.
As usual the Greeks will do anything to help you in spite of this. Fantastic people. Been to Crete 6 times, Rhodes twice, Kos twice, Mainland twice, Kefalonia twice, Corfu and got to say Crete, Rhodes are great but Kefalonia is best.
If u want clubs go to Malia in Crete....although it is a hellhole!!!

Im in kefalonia now...been here since Tuesday. The weather is really warming up....25 degrees today at least. The bars and tavernas are way quieter than they should be....its really sad. A beer will set you back between 3 and 5 euros and a normal greek dish about 8 euros. Times are hard here.
As usual the Greeks will do anything to help you in spite of this. Fantastic people. Been to Crete 6 times, Rhodes twice, Kos twice, Mainland twice, Kefalonia twice, Corfu and got to say Crete, Rhodes are great but Kefalonia is best.
If u want clubs go to Malia in Crete....although it is a hellhole!!!

It's 27 degrees here, sorry if that irritates you

I suppose it's still early in the season, but bookings for Greece are down 25% which isn't great (although the prices are!). Those prices seem a bit steep, is is that expensive everywhere?

I'm not looking for clubs, I'm looking at a couples holiday in Lassi or Skala. Any extra advice on these places?

Yes, , first proper lads holiday 1999. Crete - Malia. Got there about 5.30 a.m and wlked through place to find a guy in about mid 30's alseep on pavement with one of his samba's on the other side of road. I thought this is the place for me.

Kavos (corfu - i think) then in mid 20's. Stinking place which basically smells of shit everywhere. Again, ok for a piss up but much nicer places in europe to go for both lads holiday or certainly away with mrs.

Fly drive anywhere in the US of A these days.

Watch this and I think you will go to Lassi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQpeycks ... re=related

my family live in rhodes and i was out there just a month ago. shit is really starting to hit the fan out there, i went to get away from the UK and ended up more depressed and cutting ym holiday short! things are really tits up and there is a genuine possibility the drachma may come back, and they are regretting ever getting rid of it now. the greeks ideas of business is crap and everything has been increased in cost to try and cover expenses instead of loewring to bring in business. their theory is that if youre selling it for $3 then we can sell it for $4, crazy. beautiful islands and its a pity this situation has ruined the tourism situation they so heavily rely on. i would suggest keeping away from any prime locations as they will rinse you, i luckily live in the bottom half of rhodes where its not so dear! but as mentioned previously skiathos and skopelos are stunning islands, as well as halki if you want a quiet holiday. crete and kos too but im not sure if they are in the same boat as rhodes at the moment.

Your going to love it out there young man, hope it broadens your horizons. You will see a few sights out there and with a bit of luck you'll be sharing your hotel with a few northern slags.

Enjoy and remember to wrap it up

Your going to love it out there young man, hope it broadens your horizons. You will see a few sights out there and with a bit of luck you'll be sharing your hotel with a few northern slags.

Enjoy and remember to wrap it up

I'm going with my girlfriend, jesus

my family live in rhodes and i was out there just a month ago. shit is really starting to hit the fan out there, i went to get away from the UK and ended up more depressed and cutting ym holiday short! things are really tits up and there is a genuine possibility the drachma may come back, and they are regretting ever getting rid of it now. the greeks ideas of business is crap and everything has been increased in cost to try and cover expenses instead of loewring to bring in business. their theory is that if youre selling it for $3 then we can sell it for $4, crazy. beautiful islands and its a pity this situation has ruined the tourism situation they so heavily rely on. i would suggest keeping away from any prime locations as they will rinse you, i luckily live in the bottom half of rhodes where its not so dear! but as mentioned previously skiathos and skopelos are stunning islands, as well as halki if you want a quiet holiday. crete and kos too but im not sure if they are in the same boat as rhodes at the moment.

Hmmm, doesn't sound great. Got any info on Kefalonia?

Your going to love it out there young man, hope it broadens your horizons. You will see a few sights out there and with a bit of luck you'll be sharing your hotel with a few northern slags.

Enjoy and remember to wrap it up

I'm going with my girlfriend, jesus

Didn't stop me in the 70s hence why I have two kids here based in the UK and many more across the world ho ho ho

Your going to love it out there young man, hope it broadens your horizons. You will see a few sights out there and with a bit of luck you'll be sharing your hotel with a few northern slags.

Enjoy and remember to wrap it up

I'm going with my girlfriend, jesus

Didn't stop me in the 70s hence why I have two kids here based in the UK and many more across the world ho ho ho

Alas, my 'dong' is a faithful one.

I suppose that is one redeemable quality you possess Boris

I feel as if we are bonding, a new friendship is blossoming?

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?).

Bro, you shd be praying to god they leave the euro! The currency will devalue and everything will be miles cheaper!

As for hassle, there won't be any you'll just have slope up to a travelex in the airport

The Greeks get their average temperatures from the airports so they vary ridiculously. Today was meant to be 25 but felt more like 35.
Been all around Kefalonia....didnt think much of Lassi althought the beach is great and its a 20 minute walk from the capital Argostoli which is great fun....went there yesterday and saw 3 giant turtles in the harbour.
Best advice I can give you is hire a car or get on a trip and see Myrtos beach, Assos, Fiskardo, Samos and the drogaraki caves. If you want to see what its like watch the film Captain Corellis Mandolin which is where it was all filmed.
Skala is ok but a bit remote....for a bit of everything I'd advise to stay near Argostoli. I'm in Lixouri across the straight from there...its a 20 minute ferry crossing which is good fun. Got a car next week so will be travelling about.