AIBU to ask you questions about Greek islands!

[Glassyellowbottle]

It's pretty easy question, actually. Never been to Greece and thinking about going there June or July next year. I'd love to hear people's favourite islands/places to stay.

Also, we'll have a tween with us. If we go slightly out of season, before the schools shut, will there be other kids around? I have never travelled with a child before. She's my partners. I would like her to have some friends of her own age to hang out with. Not sure if we need to go during school holidays for this to happen.

But then, it gets very hot....decisions, decisions!

Crete. Went there 20 years ago at the beginning of June and it was perfect. I don't recall seeing any kids, though!

Scottish schools are shut in July so there may be some children on holiday during that time before the schools shut for other countries.

Corfu is absolutely beautiful..I've been to Rhodes too which is bigger. The extremely hot weather is usually more july and August though june will be hot too.

Kids finish up school earlier in different countries. Ireland for example is end of may for secondary schools,end of june for primary. So plenty on holidays at this time.

There will probably be Scottish/Irish/private schooled kids around.

Kefalonia. Beautiful. Fascinating history. Explore the island, don't just stay on the beaches.

That's a good point about Scottish schools. Thank you.

How hot does it get in first week of July?

We go twice a year every year. There's no where more lovely in terms of accessibility, food, people, culture etc- but I know everyone has their own preferences.

Its kind of hard to pinpoint a specific island as they can be incredibly different. Generally I'd narrow down to the ones that have an airport with local flight as a starting point.

There are a few islands which have larger all inclusive resorts which might be suited to your teen. - but part of the joy is exploring local tavernas etc

The bigger and more populous islands offer the most choice of accommodation, flights and pricing- Corfu, Crete, Zante, Rhodes. And there are some beautiful areas on these islands - but some over developed horrors too.

I've visited a lot- and they have all been special but Kefalonia for beauty or Skiathos for just all round gorgeousness stand out for me.

I thought Rhodes was crap. The only decent beach was at lindos. I haven't been but Crete is on my list and my friend adores kefalonia

@BoreOfWhabylon

Kefalonia. Beautiful. Fascinating history. Explore the island, don't just stay on the beaches.

Agree with this. We took our two young teen boys and they loved it. Particularly enjoyed hiring a jeep and driving round the island. One of my favourite holidays.

Depends on what you want.

I love Rhodes because of the amazing historic Old Town which has to be seen to be believed. Not that bothered about beaches, happier lying around the pool

I found Zakynthos too touristy. Would like to go to Crete - lots of ancient stuff to ramble around.

If it's a resort then you can check the dates of children's programmes - people are visiting from across Europe so they tend to start up mid June if not earlier. But be aware if she's school age there's unlikely to be many English kids, however both Scottish and Irish kids get out in June I think and English speaking oriented resorts will be catering for them too.

I liked Rhodes but didn't have kids in tow and were staying in a 5 star hotel so perhaps not a good representation of holidaying there

Don’t forget the fine you’ll possibly have to pay if you take her on holiday in term time

Don't go in August, it's BOILING

Kefalonia is very nice, but I have been to Pefkos/Lindos about 15 times now. DH and I both used to go with our mates when single, then together without kids and then with them! I love it there.

Lindos is a beautiful old town, whitewashed houses, and no cars. Pefkos is about 3 miles down the road and is sort of purpose built, although still really lovely with amazing restaurants. Very small and friendly. You rarely meet anyone in Pefkos who is there for the first time as once you go, you always go back. We have friends who have gone on our recommendation and theyve been back too.

Its very mixed with families and couples.

We absolutely loved Crete. We went end of May/beginning of June during term time and there were plenty of kids there. We stayed in a TUI family life hotel near Chania and it’s definitely on our list to go back to.

Also been to Kos which we enjoyed and you can get a ferry over to Turkey, although for me it had nothing on Crete.

Skiathos is fab as is Thassos.

Both have loads to do in terms of exploring the islands, lovely beaches and the towns are great places to eat.

You can fly directly into Skiathos, but you have to catch a ferry to Thassos (not 100% but I think we flew into Heraklion) so bear that in mind in terms of how much a ferry trip adds onto your journey.

Crete is amazing, going back next May half term ish, it can get very hot end of June -Augsy though. Chania is absolutely beautiful.😍

You need to narrow down what you’re looking for, because all Greek islands are basically nice - but they offer different things.

Do you want a convenient trip or off the beaten track? That will determine whether you go to an island with an airport or not (I always ensure I’m at least one ferry ride away from an airport, to get away from the crowds - but most people taking children opt for the easy life).

Do you want a resort where you stay put, a holiday where you drive around the sites (often scary roads and shoddy rental cars!), or a tiny island where you take taxi boats and local buses around?

What’s most to least important out of food, beaches, history/culture, and proximity to other children?

Love the old town in Rhodes it really is beautiful but we went In august, 38 degrees daily and couldn't even walk around to find some lunch it was just too much. Went in may before and it was still very hot but nothing like august heat

Rhodes is lovely. There are several great small towns to stay, Lindos is my favourite. Where the two seas meet is a great place to visit. Rhodes town has a lot going on, with harbour side bars and restaurants and Old Rhodes is fab.

We've been to Rhodes, Kos, Crete and Kephalonia. Love them all, but Kephalonia was my favourite (or Zante which we visited for the day).

I go to Rhodes about three times a year and stay in a lovely 5* resort which also caters to children. I always find loads to do there. Old Town, Lindos, boat trips to Symi and Halki, coves and swimming stop trips, etc… Also, wine country and the valley of the butterflies, bee museum, I could go on. Sea is warm, July is perfect weather. Honestly, can’t go wrong.

I fly to a lot of them. The Ionian Islands (Corfu, Zankythos and Kefalonia are greener and lusher than the islands off Turkey (Rhodes, Kos etc). And less flight time.
Thassos would be a bus ride from Thessaloniki probably (not Herakleion which is on Crete!).
Crete looks awesome, big mountains.