Tsivili, Zakynthos(Zante)

[Spidermansthong]

I'm looking to book a holiday this week for early Sept. It'll be me, DP and Dd3. DP is very keen to go to Greece and has found two hotels in Tsilivi which he likes.

My impression from TripAdvisor is that Tsivili is a bit 'Brits Abroad' - am I correct? On one hand, with a 3 year old to entertain and whom is desperate for friends, it isn't really a problem if it is Brit orientated, but I know this isn't what DP wants (we went to Salou last year and he wasn't particularly overwhelmed by it).

So has anyone been recently? Pros/cons? Also, any idea what the temperature is likely to be early Sept? Thanks

I've been there. I love Greece and have been to many islands and resorts. I chose Tsilivi because I was taking three teenagers, it wouldn't have been my first choice with a three year old.
It's not idyllic Greece and it is a bit Brits abroad. The beach is lovely though, very shallow sea a long way out. We were B&B and went to lots of great restaurants, whatever you do don't go AI in Greece.
The Greeks love children and you would find them very welcoming.
I think there might be other resorts in Zante which would suit you better.
Early September it will be starting to cool down a little, it starts to rain a bit later in September.

Thanks for the insight. the hotels we're looking at are all inclusive but we intend to have 2/3 lunches out.

Tenko- can you please recommend where to go in Greece with kids (10,7). We would love to go there next year. Shallow, safe beaches is a must. We are not interested in nightlife. Close to nature would be perfect!

We stayed at Planos Bay in Tsilivi 2 years ago. Not sure if that's one of the hotels you've been looking at. Its a nice small hotel, food lovely, staff good and great waterpark next door. You do get lots of Brits there but I didn't notice any bad behaviour in the hotel or in the local area

Yes, Planos Bay is one of the hotels we are interested in. It certainly looks like it has plenty for DD to do. Thanks

Shallow, safe beaches is a must
Good idea, you should be aware that "health and safety" is not a Greek concept and you will almost never see a lifeguard there. Avoid Rethmynon in Crete as it has some of the nastiest undertows I've encountered.
I'd choose the island you want first then look for a suitable resort. Lots of nice quiet resorts in Zante, Corfu and Cephalonia which have the advantage of slightly shorter flights.

I've been there!

Can't remember anything about it. Made no impact on me at all.

tbh I am a bit of a Greece snob, and I did spend the best part of three months on Zante.
Parts of it re OK , but the resorts are v much 'Brits abroad' and the sea water is full of sewage from the Peloppenese.
I know of Greek Aussies (and there are a lot of those there, as the majority of the population emigrated after the earthquakes, leaving the less smart people behind) who wont even let their children in the sea there.
The worst place is Argassi.
There are turtle nesting beaches over-run with tourists, while the turtle moves closer to extinction.
There are Brit girls who think its normal to walk up a street topless....
Shall I go on?

FourFriedChickensDryWhiteToast You are describing Laganas which is an 18-30 type resort like Malaga or Kavos. I wouldn't set foot there (although I do remember a thread on MN last year from someone who had booked a cheap holiday in Lagana and then looked it up .

I don't know about pollution in the sea, probably no better or worse than much of the Med and definitely better than the Adriatic.
Tsivili's beach has a blue flag for what that's worth.

yes it was Lagana...:)

I can assure you that there are actual sewage beaches on Zante, it's just not widely advertised. That is why Argassi is so cheap to stay in.

I mean it was Lagana that had the topless girls on the main street.....(I mean do they have NO idea of just how conservative Greek values are...?)

We went to Planos Bay three years ago. We loved it! One of the best holidays we’ve had. We had 8month old and 4yr old at the time. The access to the water park was the selling point for us and the hotel is far enough away from the night life etc.

We also stayed at Planos Bay when DS was 4. It was great for him, staff very friendly and some nice organised activities like treasure hunt to keep him entertained. Waterpark great for little ones. Safe area to go for a stroll around the hotel in the evenings. Definitely a good choice for little ones.

We went to Zante , can't remember the resort / town but the people were so amazingly friendly especially to families. Would love recommendations of nice towns with good beaches for families for next year ? Thanks

I agree that Greece has changed a lot in the last 15 - 20 years. The turtle beaches used to be patrolled and lights out early in the evening, for example. Now they can be on all night. Lagana is hideous. But the Greeks love children, and the food is usually excellent. I wouldn’t be put off. I’d be interested to know where you would recommend &Four?

@starday Kalamaki used to be lovely. Sandy beach, very friendly, good restaurants. I don’t think there were any resorts there then so I don’t know now I’m afraid