Let's talk Greece... Kos? Zante?

[ImogensMumJess]

We are thinking of doing eat and cheerful week in Kos or Zante before DD starts school in sept.
I've seen some really bargainous deals to Kos, around £200 per person. Some pics look gorgeous.

I've only ever been to Santorini and Kavos in Corfu in Greece and we are definitely looking for somewhere that is more Santorini than Kavos IYKWIM - has any one got any recommendations? Or area to go?

I don't want foam parties and bars full of teenagers, or all you can eat English breakfasts, more a few Greek tavernas and a beach and swimming pool. Am I going to get that on a budget?!

Thanks!

Kalamaki or Tsilivi in Zante both great with good beaches/food. Kalamaki next to airport so short transfer. Island small so easy to get around if you hire a car.

Check out the Cronulla hotel, kalamaki - our family stay there and I just checked trip advisor (excellent reviews).

If you liked corfu, paleokastritsa (sp?) In the west is beautiful.

Kos is lovely in September, will still be very hot in August

Kalami in Corfu was lovely, some of our other favourites are Elounda or Chania in Crete, Parga on the mainland and Naxos island. We are going to Zante this year but haven't been before. Have a look at Jet2Holidays, I think they are pretty reasonable prices.

Thanks all!

We're just back from Corfu. We stayed in a villa near Avlaki, between Agios Stefanos and Kassiopi, both were nice, but think Agios Stefanos is more what you're looking for. No beach but lots round about.

We stayed at a hotel in Alykanas, Zante which was perfect for families. Can't remember the name, but had three pools - think you'll find it with Airtours or Thomson. You can walk along to the far end of the beach and have lots of room to yourselves. We found some nice restaurants in Alykanas. Our DD was nearly four when we took her and loved it there.

We've been to Kefalos in Kos twice...quite a spread out quiet village along a coarse sand beach.
Have you looked at Skiathos? Troulos was lovely, but most resorts on the island are pretty small and quiet, with good beaches.

As long as you avoid the actual kiddy drunk resorts you'll be fine. Check out where club 18-30 go and go somewhere else. Greece only has a few of these places and the other towns on the same island are fine.

Can I ask what the weather is like at the beginning of July in Crete and Corfu? We are considering both for next year, but don't want it to be scorching. Never been to the Greek Islands before. How hot are we talking?

We're going to Crete. Been to Zante too which is nice.
Loved the Blue Lagoon Village in Kos but hated the small and frankly dangerous airport.

Can I also ask, how Greece compares to Spain or Portugal in terms of costs, eating out, trips general cost of day to day living etc..
I'm assuming it's more or less the same? Went to Italy last year and found that in general it was more expensive than mainland Spain and the Canary Islands.

Petit Pois, Early July is still pretty hot (high 20s/low 30s). Northern islands slightly cooler than Southern ones. Late May/Early June is a lovely time to go. We're tied to school hols, and cope with the heat, but you need aircon, as it can still be in the 20s at night.

I'd say Greece is comparable with Portugal and Spain for eating out (huge portions!), but I've found the super/minimarkets more expensive, as you don't have larger supermarkets unless you're in or near a city or big resort. Best to bring toiletries etc. as they're more expensive than in the UK .
HTH

Currently in Zante and it's been 34C all week. Eating out is much cheaper than Spain or Canaries. The locals say it will just get hotter and hotter now so it would not suit you if you don't like heat.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. We were looking at Greece and Portugal.We've now decided on Portugal. Greece still on our wish list for another time though.

(I managed to revert back to a really old name when posting this, so am back name changed!)

Thanks for all the replies, am going to get searching!
Heat is good, we went to Thailand with dd in Jan and she managed, so am going to guess that we'll be OK!

We are now going to Greece after all. Booked flights for Corfu this morning for next Summer. I'm sure I'll be on the travel forums in the next few months picking brains about Corfu as we've never been before

I'm in Crete at the moment - in a small mountain village 45 mins from Channia. It is lovely.

Sounds beautiful.

We go to Roda in Corfu as its laid back with big safe sandy beach - dead shallow till quite far out. We were there with kids from 5-15 and something to suit all of them. Cheap to eat out and food Iran everywhere we went.

We are really looking forward to Corfu next year,- although we haven't been on this year's holiday yet. I like the sound of a day trip to Albania ounds very interesting.
Friends are going to Roda tomorrow. I will be picking their brains when they get back.

Hi
I would recommend Crete. The west is really fantastic with so much to do. Stayed in this very family friendly house in Kissamos where they supplied so many bits and pieces for the kids, so made it so easy and homely. Take a look and enjoy your holidays -> www.spitikissamos.com