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Holidays
which Greek island for a week in October? any reccs?
Branleuse · 04/06/2022 12:04
preferably not expensive. Looking for a cheap honeymoon so any reccs for accomodation as well as specific islands.
Id like it to be warm still, so was thinking Crete or Naxos as it looks quite far south.
We are on a fairly tightish budget and not bothered about luxury in the usual sense, id be happy even glamping, but dont really like those high rise type hotels and resorts. . Id like to be able to swim in the sea and maybe a bit of snorkling if theres rocks. I love beautiful scenery and would love something with a sea view or at least a nice view.
I love wildlife. Not into busy places which puts me off Santorini, but want to be able to go out for meals etc, would be nice if it was somewhere authentic and traditional and friendly
I love the idea of Hydra ever since i watched the Leonard Cohen film, but I think its probably hard to get to. Id rather not have to do loads of extra travelling like ferries since its just for a week.
Never been to Greece before and have wanted to for years, but there seems to be so much choice, and I dont want to try and choose somewhere on a budget and then end up somewhere that was very Brits abroad. Not that im snobby either, and i would probably still make the most of it.
Any suggestions
MollyRover · 05/06/2022 16:39
Went to Cyprus last October and it was heavenly. Perfect weather and very quiet. Lots to see and do too, we only went for 4/5 days but fitted in museum, beach and winery trips. Great food too.
speakout · 05/06/2022 16:45
I wouldn;t do Greece in October.
It was very windy, quite a bit of rain, not very warm and many businesses & restaurants had closed for the season, doing painting and repair work.
Felt like turning up at a party when the last guests are leaving- a bit gloomy TBH.
October would be a great time for a city break, but if you want a beach type holiday then Greece earlier in the season, or look elsewhere.
I know you may get lucky with the weather, but it is a gamble.
speakout · 05/06/2022 16:49
Hydra is easy to get to- fly to Athens then hydrofoil or boat from Piraeus- it is expensive there- many rich Athenians use it for weekend or a quick short break, it is beautiful though, full of artisans.
TheRoadToRuin · 05/06/2022 16:49
I wouldn;t do Greece in October
Absolutley agree. I did windsurfing in the rain in Lefkada in September.
Holiday companies sell Greece in October for half term. It's actually out of season and much will be closed.
BlackandBlueBird · 05/06/2022 17:07
Lefkada is quite far north though. The Dodecanese (further east and south) are definitely still open for business in October! The climate really varies. (I just did a quick Google - low-high temp for October in Lefkada is 10-18 whereas Rhodes is 17-24.)
pinksunsets · 05/06/2022 21:31
I would fly into Chania in Crete and then head to Falassarna beach. Very beautiful beach with pink sand and very clear sea so you can snorkel. It's not very developed so you can find cheap accommodation on or near the beach. From there you can go to Elafonissi and Balos - two other very famous (and stunning) beaches - easily by car or bus. The only thing is beaches in Crete can be very windy, even in the summer, so that might hamper things in October.
I've been to Hydra too. It's nice but not as beautiful as the beaches in Crete. I've also heard good things about Milos, Kefalonia and Sifnos.
dreamingofaholidaysoon · 05/06/2022 21:58
Lindos village in Rhodes would be perfect. We’ve been 5 times for October half term and never had more than a slight shower.
not too busy that time of year and when the day trippers go home the village is quiet and beautiful. We don’t see the day trippers at all as we’re on the beach. Stay in the village itself and it’s your quintessential white washed village.
we’ve also done santorini in October. Stayed in perissa on the beach and drove to oia for a day trip. Was fabulous.
weee off to Crete for October this year. Just booked to stay in Chania.
dreamingofaholidaysoon · 05/06/2022 21:59
I disagree with everyone saying Greece is closed in October. We’ve never found that in Rhodes or santorini. However we don’t stay in resorts as such. The last week of October is usually open still as half term.
Branleuse · 06/06/2022 15:22
Places where people live dont close after summer surely? Its not the height of tourist season but we wont want to go bar hopping or clubbing.
I would expect some bars to be closed etc, but as long as we can find somewhere nice to eat and can swim and see some nice views I will be ok.
It will be mid october rather than the half term end. I wouldnt go in high season probably even if i could afford too
Ohhelpicantthinkofaname · 06/06/2022 16:31
I’d go for Crete if you want October and on a budget. Crete is lovely with lots of different things to see and do.
midsomermurderess · 06/06/2022 18:02
Crete would still be good, weather-wise, in October. What about in or around Chania? It's a pretty, former Venetian possession, so attractive architecture, and good beaches near by. There should still be a good number of flights around, certainly early October.
Is Hydra hard to get to? I think you just do a pretty short ferry ride from Piraeus. It's part of the Saronic Islands, the group closest to Athens. Some of them are almost commuter suburbs now.
Branleuse · 18/06/2022 11:35
Some really great starting points here. Appreciate everyones input. There is just SO MUCH CHOICE. I havent even decided on which island yet, let alone which area or hotel.
I think its definitely between Crete, Rhodes and Kos. These seem like we would have the best chance of still having a final hurrah of summer (not that I want it really hot either, but id definitely be disppointed if it was rain and wind all week). I wonder if Rhodes and Kos would be more sheltered from wind than Crete would be?
Lindos on Rhodes looks lovely.
I want to avoid getting there and it being a bit Benidormy. Is Faliraki llike that? I worry that of course in pictures, everyone shows the nice bits, but on webcams, a lot of greek beaches look absolutely rammed
BlackandBlueBird · 18/06/2022 11:52
Definitely avoid Faliraki. It might not be that busy by that time of year but it’s not the place you want OP!
Someone else will have better specific info on this but I don’t think you need to worry too much about the wind - Greece gets very strong summer winds (the Meltemi) but by October I have a feeling it might actually be calmer. All islands will have more exposed/more sheltered spots though.
HermioneWeasley · 18/06/2022 11:56
If you want guaranteed weather and a bargain then Turkey will be better - the lira is weak at the moment so your money goes further and it’s a bit further south so weather is better in October
CharlotteSt · 18/06/2022 14:22
Rhodes is famous for the amount of unfair it gets but you need to be on the Lindos side (east coast) - the other side (Ixia) gets very windy.
Lindos is gorgeous. Faliraki is your worst nightmare, unless you're 19. Although it's a shame as the beach there is beautiful.
CharlotteSt · 18/06/2022 14:23
CharlotteSt · 18/06/2022 14:22
Rhodes is famous for the amount of unfair it gets but you need to be on the Lindos side (east coast) - the other side (Ixia) gets very windy.
Lindos is gorgeous. Faliraki is your worst nightmare, unless you're 19. Although it's a shame as the beach there is beautiful.
- sunshine not unfair! 🙄
saveforthat · 18/06/2022 14:28
I love Greece and have been to many of the Islands in September but even by the end of September many restaurants etc. are closed it definitely has that end of party feel that someone mentioned upthread.
SKG2007 · 18/06/2022 14:32
Branleuse · 18/06/2022 11:35
Some really great starting points here. Appreciate everyones input. There is just SO MUCH CHOICE. I havent even decided on which island yet, let alone which area or hotel.
I think its definitely between Crete, Rhodes and Kos. These seem like we would have the best chance of still having a final hurrah of summer (not that I want it really hot either, but id definitely be disppointed if it was rain and wind all week). I wonder if Rhodes and Kos would be more sheltered from wind than Crete would be?
Lindos on Rhodes looks lovely.
I want to avoid getting there and it being a bit Benidormy. Is Faliraki llike that? I worry that of course in pictures, everyone shows the nice bits, but on webcams, a lot of greek beaches look absolutely rammed
In October, the beaches will not be rammed. I would advise Rhodes or Crete as it's still warm and places are still open.
The Cyclades (you mention Naxos in your OP) have an end-of-season around mid-September and can get a bit chilly come October.
TheRoadToRuin · 18/06/2022 15:09
The reason lots of places are closed is that restaurant owners tend to leave and go back to cities after the season is over. They will have worked 7 days a week since spring and take a few months off in winter.
Branleuse · 19/06/2022 09:57
TheRoadToRuin · 18/06/2022 15:09
The reason lots of places are closed is that restaurant owners tend to leave and go back to cities after the season is over. They will have worked 7 days a week since spring and take a few months off in winter.
do you not think some of them must be residents of the areas? Outside of the main tourist zones
midsomermurderess · 19/06/2022 11:04
Branleuse, of course there are year-round resident populations, especially on the bigger islands, but the resort areas do largely close down. And the weather in Greece can be rough in the winter, stormy, very wet and cold. Many people do head off to eg Athens when the season is over.
PicturesOfLily · 19/06/2022 11:35
I had a fantastic week in Crete in late October a few years ago. It was the last week of the season and most places were quiet but the weather was perfect (25 and sunny all day). I was with my mum who doesn’t do sun/heat very well and we managed to do a few excursions including a fantastic day at Spinalonga but it was also nice for sunbathing/sea swimming for me. We stayed in Gouves, which was a nice village, but I would go to Elounda or Aghios Nikolaos for stunning scenery and nice restaurants. The following year we went to Turkey in the same week and it rained 5/7 days!
Branleuse · 20/06/2022 15:42
PicturesOfLily · 19/06/2022 11:35
I had a fantastic week in Crete in late October a few years ago. It was the last week of the season and most places were quiet but the weather was perfect (25 and sunny all day). I was with my mum who doesn’t do sun/heat very well and we managed to do a few excursions including a fantastic day at Spinalonga but it was also nice for sunbathing/sea swimming for me. We stayed in Gouves, which was a nice village, but I would go to Elounda or Aghios Nikolaos for stunning scenery and nice restaurants. The following year we went to Turkey in the same week and it rained 5/7 days!
That sounds lovely.
I keep hearing that Crete is notoriously windy.
Is that likely to be an issue?
PicturesOfLily · 20/06/2022 17:57
@Branleuse we had one day with a breeze and sunny spells so it got a bit chilly sunbathing when the sun went behind a cloud but I didn’t notice the wind other than that. Perhaps we got lucky but it really was perfect holiday weather for us. Have a fantastic time wherever you decide on!
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