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

Original poster

Everyone has chosen Greece this year.

108 replies

Awittyfool · 15/08/2023 17:55

I realise it’s a perennially popular holiday spot but literally everyone seems to have to Greece this year. This includes my lots of friends who normally do France or Europe, work mates ( from both jobs ) and just people who I talk to in shops and dog walks.

One year everyone seemed to do France and after that it’s was all Croatia.
Just me or goes Greece seem to be having a moment?
.

OP posts:
TreesandFish · 15/08/2023 20:42

Yes, I was in Crete last month

Icequeen01 · 15/08/2023 20:47

We came back from Crete on Saturday having decided to have a change this year from Italy, which we love. I have only been to Skiathos previously which I liked but wouldn't say I loved. Well I fell in love with Crete (we were Chania side) and will definitely be going back! I was surprised how much I loved it to be honest.

Totaly · 15/08/2023 20:50

I think prices are definitely the biggest factor.

Most people want sun sea and sand - where ever they find a good deal.

I’ve loved Greece! Would defiantly go back.

Sasha19052 · 15/08/2023 20:55

Icequeen01 · 15/08/2023 20:47

We came back from Crete on Saturday having decided to have a change this year from Italy, which we love. I have only been to Skiathos previously which I liked but wouldn't say I loved. Well I fell in love with Crete (we were Chania side) and will definitely be going back! I was surprised how much I loved it to be honest.

We are going next month! Can you give any tips - did you go on any day trips? One of us isnt very mobile so any recommendations would be great!
Staying in Skaleta (about an hour from Chania) Tia x

Paintedtoenail · 15/08/2023 21:03

Comedycook · 15/08/2023 19:27

Actually just thinking...I know four families who have gone to Greece or Greek islands this year...maybe you're right.

We went to Majorca.... only about two other British families in our hotel. Everyone else was German.

Where was you ? Out of curiosity?

Comedycook · 15/08/2023 21:09

Paintedtoenail · 15/08/2023 21:03

Where was you ? Out of curiosity?

Show quote history

Eastern side of the island...cala millor

Meredusoleil · 15/08/2023 21:11

HalloumiLuvver · 15/08/2023 18:57

Everyone I know seems to be in Turkey on all inclusive this year! I assume costs have a lot to do with it.

Same here!

MMorales · 15/08/2023 21:12

Everyone I know is going to Turkey

Lo89 · 15/08/2023 21:16

There has been quite abit of negative stuff in the press on how the Spanish tourism board were not wanting British tourism anymore

Maybe something to do with that ?

Comedycook · 15/08/2023 21:20

Lo89 · 15/08/2023 21:16

There has been quite abit of negative stuff in the press on how the Spanish tourism board were not wanting British tourism anymore

Maybe something to do with that ?

Oh really? I haven't heard of that. I thought perhaps it was just the resort we were in? I wondered if British people are more likely to go the bigger resorts? Anyway, we didn't feel unwelcome there...the people there were lovely and friendly to us.

Lo89 · 15/08/2023 21:26

@Comedycook I'm sure it's all political as everything else and not the views of actual locals but I had noticed too a lot of people hadn't chosen Spain or the islands as much this year

jocktamsonsbairn · 15/08/2023 21:28

I've been going to Greece for 30+ years and every year go back to where I used to live. I do try and go somewhere else even as a short break as I want to see the world. However, as someone rise rightly said, Greece is like a comfort blanket!!

We went in 2021 much later than normal - August rather than end of June and so many people were trying it out fir the first time due to favourable Greek rules v not so favourable Spanish rules at that specific time re covid. Everyone we spoke to who had swapped Greece for Spain said similar - they'd been put off by the toilet paper situation but no worries in reality, always gone to Spain etc etc. 100% of the regular Spanish visitors all said they were coming back to Greece as so easy and relaxing, no hassle to buy anything, no high rises, free Sunbeds, more Greek than British and they couldn't believe they had discounted Greece for years.
Great fir the locals but we definitely have found it busier and have had to make reservations for some of our favourite restaurants!!

Menopausehaver · 15/08/2023 21:37

Italy is my favourite place, but we went to Greece this year for a change.

Amethys · 15/08/2023 21:41

I don’t get it, why do people choose Greece instead of Italy? Isn’t Greece basically like Italy except you can’t flush loo roll, the food isn’t quite as superb and the language is harder to understand?

Savemesos · 15/08/2023 21:42

Funnily enough, we’re considering Greece for next summer, after having a particularly wet and windy holiday this year in UK. It’ll be our first holiday abroad with the teenage kids. I’ve no idea about prices though!

Medlady · 15/08/2023 21:42

I thought the toilet paper situation had been sorted except in really out of the way spots? I was just nerving myself for a first trip!

Amethys · 15/08/2023 21:43

Medlady · 15/08/2023 21:42

I thought the toilet paper situation had been sorted except in really out of the way spots? I was just nerving myself for a first trip!

Possibly, I haven’t been for a very long time. I hope it has!!

But I passed through Greek Cyprus for work recently and can confirm that it’s no flushing loo paper everywhere there.

midsomermurderess · 15/08/2023 21:44

Lots of places still ask you not to flush toilet paper. Not just really remote places

fruitbrewhaha · 15/08/2023 21:44

I’m there now. And it’s lovely.

42coats · 15/08/2023 21:47

The toilet paper situation is definitely sorted in any touristy spots I've been to, and that's many.

In Peloponnese etc it might be a different story, I know when I was there years ago we had to bin loo paper which wasn't pleasant.

I'm surprised that people are saying Greece is cheaper! We go all inclusive, high end, but not 5* and Greece is considerably more expensive than the canaries or the Balearics.

Food in Greece is fabulous, much better than Spanish food. Maybe people have cottoned on to that?

Savemesos · 15/08/2023 21:49

I’m looking at a week in Skiathos, self catering for 5 people for £3,600 mid-July. Does this sound reasonable? I’m clueless!

42coats · 15/08/2023 21:51

Amethys · 15/08/2023 21:41

I don’t get it, why do people choose Greece instead of Italy? Isn’t Greece basically like Italy except you can’t flush loo roll, the food isn’t quite as superb and the language is harder to understand?

I prefer Greece to Italy for a few reasons:

The people are much much friendlier
There's not a snooty vibe in Greece that you get in Italy
Greece is a bit more rough and ready and I like that 😜
There is so much to discover in Greece: I've been to islands you probably haven't even heard of
If you go off the beaten track you can get fantastic value
I love the history
I think I might prefer Greek food to Italian and you can always get great pizza in Greece these days

geoger · 15/08/2023 21:54

Have been holidaying in Greece since I was a child and regard it as my second home. Greece will always have a hold on my heart: the beautiful islands (each one is different), stunning scenery, wonderful food and produce (tomatoes and peaches to die for), wines, amazingly friendly people and the rich history and culture. No other place has so much to offer - hire a boat and off you go. Best beaches in the world from the green of the Ionian to the bluest blue of the Aegean, Greece is heaven on earth

SequentialAnalyst · 15/08/2023 21:55

Medlady · 15/08/2023 21:42

I thought the toilet paper situation had been sorted except in really out of the way spots? I was just nerving myself for a first trip!

I went and stayed with a friend in Thessaloninki last summer, and can confirm that the toilet paper etiquette is still not to flush. She has a beautiful 2 floor apartment, and any blocking of the drains has to be dealt with by the inhabitants acting together, though some don't pay their share.

No flushing the paper in Thessaloniki Airport, either.

The bore of the drains is one of the problems, I imagine.

Anyway, while I was staying there, my friend had to repeatedly remind me "Sequential, don't flush the toilet paper." I learn slowly, and had a few times when I realised what I was about to do, and had to fish out the toilet paper Blush

When I went to the Greek Islands in the early 1980s, the toilet paper thing was, of course, a thing, but having read "My Family and Other Animals" I had heard of the practice. I met a few young American people: I believe the islanders were in despair, because of course these Americans unthinkingly took a long shower every day as a matter of course...

geoger · 15/08/2023 21:57

Amethys · 15/08/2023 21:41

I don’t get it, why do people choose Greece instead of Italy? Isn’t Greece basically like Italy except you can’t flush loo roll, the food isn’t quite as superb and the language is harder to understand?

Italy is beautiful but Greece is exceptionally beautiful and superior in every way. From the food and culture to the beaches and historic sites Greece has so much to offer

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