Which Greek Island for May half term?

Merula · 2022-10-02T18:53:13+00:00

We want to visit a Greek Island for May half term next year and don't want to rely on beach/pool activities as I guess it might not be too hot. So ideally we'd like somewhere near an interesting town or two and maybe activities such as biking, hiking, paddle boarding for example. Anyone got any good suggestions? Thanks in advance!

midsomermurderess · 02/10/2022 21:09

Crete might be worth considering in May. It would be quite cool for sea and pool swimming so good if you're not set on that. You could walk the Samaria Gorge in the South of the island, lots of activity companies organise trips. It's not difficult per se but it is long so best to do when it's not too hot. There are sights to see like the palace at Knossos and paddle boarding is widely available.

midsomermurderess · 02/10/2022 21:10

Chania and Rethymno are nice towns to base yourself in and around.

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 02/10/2022 21:14

Does it have to be Greece? Madeira would be lovely at that time of year, and not too hot to do the levada walks which I’d love to do. Funchal has gorgeous botanical gardens as well.

GiantKitten · 02/10/2022 21:16

We went to Crete (Elounda) from 23rd May one year and apart from 1 excitingly stormy day it was hot the whole time.
DH swam in the sea most days.
Weve also had fabulous weather in Corfu at the same time, and it’s a much shorter flight.
Would recommend either 🙂

Sycamoretrees · 02/10/2022 21:19

Have you thought about mainland Greece?

Bemoredog · 02/10/2022 21:30

Corfu, beautiful island. Weather should be good.

midsomermurderess · 02/10/2022 22:01

Mainland Greece is a good call, the north is good for hiking, especially the Northern Pindos National park in Epirus province. There’s the spectacular Vikos Gorge and the stone villages and bridges. The lakeside city of Ioannina is an attractive, buzzy university city and you could do a side trip to the monasteries at Meteora which are perched in extraordinary stone formations. They get snow up there so you’d need to check the weather in May. This is a bit of a guide to the region: thesanetravel.com/travels/greece/vikos-gorge-tour

Original poster

Merula · 03/10/2022 06:52

Bemoredog · 02/10/2022 21:30

Corfu, beautiful island. Weather should be good.

Corfu was my top choice when looking. Are there any areas you would recommend? And do you think there is enough to do if it's not warm (fingers crossed it will be?).

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Original poster

Merula · 03/10/2022 06:54

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 02/10/2022 21:14

Does it have to be Greece? Madeira would be lovely at that time of year, and not too hot to do the levada walks which I’d love to do. Funchal has gorgeous botanical gardens as well.

No, doesn't have to be Greece. I had considered Madeira as my daughter is a keen mountain biker. Will bear it in mind!

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Merula · 03/10/2022 06:55

Crete and Corfu were the two places I've been specifically looking at, so thanks for confirming they are good options. It's quite overwhelming!

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Merula · 03/10/2022 06:56

Sycamoretrees · 02/10/2022 21:19

Have you thought about mainland Greece?

Yes, we'd happily go to the mainland too if we found the right place.

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Merula · 03/10/2022 06:58

midsomermurderess · 02/10/2022 22:01

Mainland Greece is a good call, the north is good for hiking, especially the Northern Pindos National park in Epirus province. There’s the spectacular Vikos Gorge and the stone villages and bridges. The lakeside city of Ioannina is an attractive, buzzy university city and you could do a side trip to the monasteries at Meteora which are perched in extraordinary stone formations. They get snow up there so you’d need to check the weather in May. This is a bit of a guide to the region: thesanetravel.com/travels/greece/vikos-gorge-tour

Sounds wonderful, but I do want to be where there's the most chance of hot weather too, and we are having a mountain holiday in the summer.

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oct · 03/10/2022 06:59

Does anyone know which Greek locations have both a shorter flight and shorter transfer time which goes to a resort which isn't sleepy. Like a family resort with a number of days out : trips available?

GiantKitten · 03/10/2022 08:58

Merula · 03/10/2022 06:52

Corfu was my top choice when looking. Are there any areas you would recommend? And do you think there is enough to do if it's not warm (fingers crossed it will be?).

Show quote history

These are actual temps from May/June this year.
it will be warm! (Possibly even warmer than you’d prefer some of the time…)

Original poster

Merula · 03/10/2022 13:05

Thanks everyone. I'm whittling it down to eastern Corfu or Rethymno in Crete.

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GiantKitten · 03/10/2022 16:03

Kassiopi (NE Corfu) is gorgeous - nice friendly little place.
We’re retired so no idea what there is for kids but there were always lots of them there!
We did rent one of the little motor boats one day and went down the coast to Kalami for lunch at the White House (where Laurence Durrell lived).
Gouvia, Ipsos and Dassia are v popular too and a shorter distance from the airport. (There was a nasty fire though recently at the marina in Gouvia.)
There are very busy groups on FB called Corfu Island and Corfu Forum which can be very helpful (if contradictory!)

CottonSock · 03/10/2022 16:07

I've done corfu and zakynthos in May and both were lovely. I stayed rurally though as that's more my thing.

Fiona8121 · 03/10/2022 16:54

Kassiopi in Corfu is nice and Skala in Kefalonia.

Elounda in Crete is gorgeous and would be top of my list :-)

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Merula · 04/10/2022 12:06

Thanks very much everyone. @Fiona8121 I'm tempted by Elounda as I've found a nice hotel there. Is there lots to do around there do you know? eg biking, places to visit, walks? My kids are older - they'll be 12, 14 and 17.

Kassiopi in Corfu is also a top choice but not less in the way of accommodation that suits us.

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Merula · 04/10/2022 12:46

*Kassiopi in Corfu is also a top choice but HAS less in the way of accommodation that suits us.

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Fiona8121 · 04/10/2022 13:05

@Merula There's lots to do in Elounda. The safari jeep day day out is really good that takes you up into the mountains. Lots of hiking routes from the resort too. Many villages nearby are worth visiting (Plaka, Kritsa, Agios Nikolaos etc). The Samaria Gorge and Knossos are also worth a visit. It's also a real foodie resort (Tom Kerridge has just been) and if we go elsewhere in Greece we notice a massive difference in the quality of the food

GiantKitten · 04/10/2022 15:56

@Merula
There are boat trips from Elounda to Spinalonga, the former leper island, a fascinating place. No shade there though, so best to go early or late, & take hats & lots of water.
Other boat trips too but that’s the only one we did. Boats to Spinalonga from Plaka too.
(No filters on photos. The water really is that colour!)
We loved Elounda. It was quite quiet when we arrived on 23/5, but restaurants were reopening daily, and by the time we left on 6/6 the season was well under way.

www.bbc.com/travel/article/20170921-the-abandoned-greek-island-shrouded-in-mystery

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Merula · 04/10/2022 16:12

Thanks @Fiona8121 , and thanks @GiantKitten for the info about Spinalonga. I'll do some more thinking!

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PollyCreo · 05/10/2022 21:43

I stayed in Rethymno as a solo traveller, it was beautiful. I also did the Spinalonga trip, 2.5 hours on the bus but so worth it!

Mitsouko67 · 05/10/2022 21:57

Paleochora in Crete is gorgeous and teens would love it. Check out Hotel Aris.