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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Greece novice

25 replies

Beneficentbovine88 · 03/03/2022 11:20

Hello, I would very much appreciate some advice please.

Never been to Greece before but after two years of serious illness and quite intense stress, I would like to try and go in April/ May (if we can find a good late booking) or this summer (Covid and global events allowing). I know I have left it late to plan something. And I'm aware of its proximity to Bulgaria. There's DH and me and two young adult DC who will be joining us for part of the time.

My first question is: would Ukrainian situation make you hesitate from travelling there? (And yes, fwiw, I do feel guilty thinking about, and booking something, as frivolous as a holiday when other people in the world are fighting for their lives.)

Second q and the main reason I have posted: can you please recommend a lovely location for someone unfamiliar with Greece where the local beaches and countryside are beautiful and not too touristy but nevertheless there is a town nearby with reasonable facilities, where the food is good, and there is a bit of culture maybe? Not interested in night life really! Good restaurants would be excellent though!

Most important of all, for various reasons related to health, we would like self catering accommodation but where you also have access to a good hotel and restaurant. We are not looking for budget accommodation as we like to be comfortable but not hugely fancy either.

I would really appreciate some personal recommendations!

Thank you.

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Blueberrycreampie · 03/03/2022 13:28

Hi! You might get more replies if you move this to holidays as this is the U.K. travel board. My last Greek holiday was to Lefkada, and I loved it. Been to Greece a few times and it was the scenery - the sea was so blue and the islands in the distance - it all looked perfect. We stayed in a nice hotel on the front at Nidri; it wasn't luxurious but had everything we needed. Lots of great restaurants there. If you are looking for more upmarket, I don't know, maybe Skiathos?

BovrilonToast · 03/03/2022 13:34

Try Crete, the weather would be good then as it is far south. We stayed in a Simpson property near Vamos. It was lovely and a short walk to the village with a few tavernas.

Beneficentbovine88 · 03/03/2022 14:55

Blueberrycreampie thank you so much for that v helpful advice.

And I am so sorry about putting the thread in the wrong place! I will investigate! Apologies!

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Beneficentbovine88 · 03/03/2022 14:59

That sounds perfect BovrilonToast thank you! A friend of mine said that people overlook Crete too much!

And oh gawd I have just noticed it says "UK travel" as clear as can be at top of page ...oh dear ...I will ask thread to be moved ...

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CJay81 · 03/03/2022 16:58

I agree with Crete.

I love Chania, western crete. It's beautiful with a pretty old town and harbour. The area has traditional villages, good beaches and is full of history and culture. We are off to this are in May.

Im not yet concerned about the situation in Ukraine, Crete is as far as you can get in greece from there too.

Blueberrycreampie · 03/03/2022 17:42

@Beneficentbovine88

Blueberrycreampie thank you so much for that v helpful advice.

And I am so sorry about putting the thread in the wrong place! I will investigate! Apologies!

No need to apologise to me, I just wanted the right people to see it! Smile
BirdOnTheWire · 03/03/2022 17:53

I love Greece and have visited many of her islands but one thing that strikes me is your mention of health issues. Having been in a Greek hospital once I never want to again and for that reason I won't go back now that I have some underlying health conditions.

If that's not a concern then I agree with Crete as the place which has it all.
My favourite smaller islands are Skiathos and Skopolos.

midsomermurderess · 03/03/2022 18:03

Maybe have a look at the Peloponnese. It's mainland, a peninsular south west of Athens. The area around Nafplion, in the eastern part, is very pretty with good beaches and great sites to see, eg Mycenae and the theatre of Epidaurus. Or head over to the west, around Methoni or Koroni, lovely beaches and castles etc, popular with Greek tourists.

Beneficentbovine88 · 03/03/2022 20:40

Thank you for all of these suggestions which sound wonderful! I've been Googling and they look wonderful too! I very much appreciate all the recommendations.

Thank you BirdOnTheWire they are much better now, and I hope it wont be necessary, but I guess it would be ideal to be in striking distance of a hospital for a family member "just in case". I hadn't realised there was an issue with Greek hospitals so maybe I need to rethink this?

Thank you for the suggestions though.

Blueberrycreampie Smile

CJay81. Sounds lovely! I imagine May is the perfect time to visit?

Midsomermurderess I will investigate Peloponnese, thank you!

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Funf · 04/03/2022 19:49

We have been to the main land and several of the Islands enjoyed them all to be honest.
Rhodes is one of our favourites
Kefalonia is very different but number two for us

Beneficentbovine88 · 05/03/2022 09:25

Thank you Funf

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jesusmaryjosephandtheweedonkey · 05/03/2022 09:37

We love kefelonia. It's just so relaxing.
Hated santorini. Too many people

CJay81 · 05/03/2022 09:41

To those going to Greece this year they are getting rid of the passenger locator forms and they are even discussing about doing away with Vaccine passports from greek easter(24th April) 🤞. So more normality this year hopefully.

StCharlotte · 05/03/2022 09:44

Second q and the main reason I have posted: can you please recommend a lovely location for someone unfamiliar with Greece where the local beaches and countryside are beautiful and not too touristy but nevertheless there is a town nearby with reasonable facilities, where the food is good, and there is a bit of culture maybe? Not interested in night life really! Good restaurants would be excellent though!

Naxos has all of this. Fly into Mykonos or Santorini (cheaper flights) and it's a lovely ferry trip. Stay in Plaka. Sea and Olives villas are lovely and are about a ten minute walk to the beach.

Beneficentbovine88 · 05/03/2022 11:16

@CJay81

To those going to Greece this year they are getting rid of the passenger locator forms and they are even discussing about doing away with Vaccine passports from greek easter(24th April) 🤞. So more normality this year hopefully.
Well that's a positive sign! Smile
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Beneficentbovine88 · 05/03/2022 11:18

@jesusmaryjosephandtheweedonkey

We love kefelonia. It's just so relaxing. Hated santorini. Too many people
I must admit we are not fond of crowds; prefer the quiet life nowadays! And beautiful natural surroundings.
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Beneficentbovine88 · 05/03/2022 11:20

@StCharlotte

Second q and the main reason I have posted: can you please recommend a lovely location for someone unfamiliar with Greece where the local beaches and countryside are beautiful and not too touristy but nevertheless there is a town nearby with reasonable facilities, where the food is good, and there is a bit of culture maybe? Not interested in night life really! Good restaurants would be excellent though!

Naxos has all of this. Fly into Mykonos or Santorini (cheaper flights) and it's a lovely ferry trip. Stay in Plaka. Sea and Olives villas are lovely and are about a ten minute walk to the beach.

Thanks for the recommendations StCharlotte ; sounds lovely!
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worriedatthemoment · 05/03/2022 11:29

Been too several greek islands and love them all , but did find Kos a bit too windy at times
The only downside for me is the no loo roll down toilets and having to use a bin, but thats it
People are lovely , weather is good and some of the food amazing

Beneficentbovine88 · 05/03/2022 11:49

The only downside for me is the no loo roll down toilets and having to us

Hello? First I have heard of that. Does it apply to all of the islands?

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Blueberrycreampie · 05/03/2022 12:56

Yes, most if not all! The plumbing can't cope with paper - maybe in the big hotels it will be different? It's strange at first but you really do get used to it and cleaners remove the waste tissue regularly. Don't let it put you off! I went to Lefkada in May and it was very hot - it's a good time to go in my opinion. I would love to go back there but also Kefalonia or Crete are on my wish list for this year! I'm sure wherever you go, you will love it! There is a Facebook site for Lefkada and also for Kefalonia which I find really useful. There are probably Facebook sites for other islands as well.

Beneficentbovine88 · 05/03/2022 13:24

OK, thanks for that info Blueberrycreampie, I didn't know that but good to be informed! Smile. And thanks for Facebook links.

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Blueberrycreampie · 05/03/2022 14:07

You're welcome- let us know where you decide to goSmile.

Beneficentbovine88 · 05/03/2022 14:14

I will, although we are in the very early stages of planning ATM. My DH wants to go to Montenegro so we have elected to do various independent bits of research and then we're having a kitchen table meeting to discuss! Smile

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StCharlotte · 06/03/2022 16:29

Montenegro is also fabulous. We stayed on Sveti Stefan (when it was still accessible to mere mortals).

Funf · 06/03/2022 19:18

Been to Kotor in Montenegro its very nice but can be busy on the days the cruise ships dock, but the little we have seen its great

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