Greece in June with 4yo+2yo? Suggestions please?

[BonzoDooDah]

DD starts School in September and DS is 2 in July so we want to go to Greece in June before the cost goes mental. This June we can go out of school time and not pay for DS as he'll be just under 2 (and DD just under 4).

We loved Greece as a couple (we loved Kephalonia and Crete - but really didn't like the built-up Cyprus with no Greek soul)- the tavernas and bakeries and local villages and towns and would love to go somewhere like that with the children but also have sandy beaches and a child friendly pool. (not fussy really! )

Can anyone recommend anywhere? I don't know whether to go for an all-inclusive with kids club but then get out and about in the afternoon / evening with prams etc or to go for an appartment in a town - but then we'd have no pool.

Help please! Anyone been anywhere nice and suitable?

where can you fly to from your local airport? i would think about minimising travel time with children of that age. the greeks adore children. we didnt use the pool when ours were that age - the beach suited us better as there were more things to do - sandcastles etc and i was worried about them falling in the pool.

Aghia Paraskevi in Skiathos is lovely. Blue flag sandy beach, just a handful of tavernas. It is just 15 minutes to Skiathos town and only a 20 minute transfer by taxi from the airport. Despite being so close to the airport, there is no issue with constant aircraft noise. No need for car hire as there is a regular bus service.

We stayed at Green Park apartments. Basic but clean. There is also a pool and a very low-key bar/restaurant and a large garden for the DCs to play in (although no play equipment). I have been twice and only ever met one other family there so not at all the "kids club" type place.

Other places we have enjoyed have been Parga, Lefkas (although beaches not great) and Afitos.

Oh and Naxos is allegedly lovely with great sandy beaches (it had better be.....we are going in August!!). However, it does require either an extra flight from Athens or ferry from mainland or Santorini. Not sure if that would be appealing to you with 2 young DCs?

We took our girls to Kos last year when they were 6 and 4 and it was lovely. We stayed in Mastihari, a nice littel resort with a beautiful sandy beach, we had an apartment and we could use the pool at the hotel opposite. There were plenty of places to eat and drink but it had a very Greek feel to it.

Have a look at Mastihari uncovered for more about the resort and the accomodation.

My nearest airport is the rather large Manchester International so there's no problem with flights.

Oooh Skiathos sounds perfect! I'll be looking to see where tehre is to stay there. (Don't fancy long transfers and changes though so Naxos sounds like it is out)

And Kos sounds lovely too ... choices!

Thanks People!

Pefkos in Rhodes is great, the whole of Pefkos is a child friendly place. While it is a tourist resort it still has a lovely Greek atmosphere. There are different bars and restaurnts to choose from including a few with kids play areas so you can get a bit of a break while have a drink...

check out Lydia Thalasa for a great hotel....

I would look for a self catering apartment in a small complex, with a shared pool.

I always recommend Tsilivi in Zakynthos for families with young children. It has a lovely shallow sandy beach and the town itself is more for family holidays than 18-30s type holidays.

However it is quite a few years since I've been there with children so do try and get some more recent reviews too!

We were looking at Tsilivi int he brochures - is there a proper town there or is it strips of hotels?

Lots of great idea here.

We're going to Periyali Villas in Zakynthos with a 2 and nearly 4 year old in early July. Has been recommended by a few people. Google Simpsons Travel (actually I think they are on the discounts pasge on Mumsnet)

Oh great - more ideas - I have about 15 tabs open on the PC with different places and reviews. It's fun! Thanks.