Greek Holiday recommendations please?

[SongforSal]

Family of 4 including 2 teens. Never been to Greece before and we have decided to go AI for 2wks in the summer.

Where do we go? There are so many different areas that look beautiful! We definitely want a beach front hotel, or within walking distance to a beach. None of us are sun worshippers, but love swimming in the sea.. Also an area where we can explore and see some traditional Greece is a must.

Budget around 5k (not including spending money whilst there). I love the look of the Mitsis hotels, but the prices are very steep in summer hols. Any other recommendations?

I love Greece. Have you looked at the Ikos resorts? They are amazing and all inclusive. The food was superb.

Personally, I agree with the comments Anout AI because at the end of the day in most of these places you could be anywhere in the world Having said that, AI might suit your teenagers better.

It’s interesting though that some people have mentioned certain places being quiet, which I consider quite busy. Neither of us are wrong, it’s about personal perception.

I woukd certainly suggest looking for 2 centre options, that way you would get a contrast. Islands that dovetail well together include Rhodes/Symi, Allonissos/Skopelos/Allonissis, Athens/Seifos//Sifnos, Corfu/Paxi, Athens/Poros/Spetses.

All the groups listed above consist of one airport island (or Athens airport) and a regular ferry connection with at least a daily service.

I lived in Greece for a while, if you want to ask more, feel free to drop me a PM.

Another vote for Ikos Olivia or Ikos Oceania. Or this Sani resort on halkidiki.

Kefalonia is wonderful. We’ve been to a fair few countries but none top Kef yet. With teens tbh I’d do a villa. Having your own pool and not being restricted with times to eat and swim etc work really well. There are loads of amazing places to eat and the supermarkets are pretty good for supplies. Because it’s so small driving doesn’t seem too tricky either and it’s easy to hire a car online before you go and you pick it up from the airport.

I know Corfu pretty well and absolutely love it. You need a car at least for some of the time. It's brilliant hiring a boat out for the day. I like the North and also the pebbly beaches and crystal clear sea of the North-east. Actually I like the west side too!

I really want to go to Kefalonia now though.

We love going to Crete. It is such a big island that there is something for everyone. Our family loves hiking so we normally choose a base town and then try different trails nearby. This year we tried Kritsa - a very cosy traditional village in the mountains. We stayed here: www.booking.com/hotel/gr/cinnamon-house-in-kritsa.en-gb.html
It's not very close to the sea, so for those who prefer being next to the beach not the best option. Good luck!

Heading to Rhodes and staying here the first week www.tripadvisor.ie/Hotel_Review-g635615-d506721-Reviews-Atlantica_Aegean_Blue_Resort-Kolimbia_Rhodes_Dodecanese_South_Aegean.html
We were there in 2019 and loved it . Water park onsite !
Great villa with a pool for the second week.
I totally understand re AI. It's just SO relaxing not having to think about any food or drink for even a few days when you have kids who seem to need to eat constantly .......

5 k won't get you two weeks in Ikos in summer . Ikos Dassia is FAB but I am not sure there is enough to do for teens !

The Peloponnese is marvellous. You could do a day or two in Athens and then drive across via the Corinth Canal. It’s a huge area so you’d be best picking a base, maybe two and do trips from there. There are loads of archaeological sites eg the theatre at Epidaurus, Mycenae, Olympia over in the West. The beaches are wonderful, it’s also awesomely mountainous. Around Nafplio, Stoupa and Koroni would be worth looking at. I’d agree that AI is probably not the way to go in Greece.