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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:
Jeannie88 · 17/08/2023 00:28

Not surprised, have been many times to Geeece and the islands. So beautiful, a step back in time, have loved every time I've been there. Can completely understand why more people want to go, go once and you will go back. X

geoger · 17/08/2023 03:18

Leoislazy · 16/08/2023 07:42

So where would people suggest that has good beach & water access, tavernas, a bit of walking etc but I wouldn’t not need a car? I don’t know why but I’ve never been to Greece. With relaxed teens (that actually get along well as a unit and don’t need nightlife for entertainment )…

As a start I’d recommend looking at Lefkada or Corfu - check Jet2 for deals Or Parga on the mainland - stunning place. Lesbos is really lovely too - I think Jet2 also fly here
Or fly into Athens and pick up an internal flight/ferry to islands such as Paros, Naxos - you can island hop between the 2. We also love Thassos, Chios and Sifnos

JanglingJack · 17/08/2023 03:28

I holiday alone with a teenage daughter. We usually go to Fuerteventura, only because we went when she was 10 and we loved it.
It's quite busy though and of course there plenty of Brits (sometimes too many 😉 ).

If we looked at Greece, would she be bored do you think (16). Sightseeing sounds lovely to me, but both of us get bored at the beach easily and a need a wander.

Just looking for some opinions, although I know OP wants to see less Brits there!

geoger · 17/08/2023 03:29

JimmyGrimble · 17/08/2023 00:06

We are off to northern Corfu next week. Small hotel overlooking the harbour, bed and breakfast, lest than £1500 for both of us. We go to Kassiopi, don’t have a car and take a couple of boat trips, evening trip to Corfu town etc. it’s heavenly. There are a couple of beaches, they’re stony but the water is clear and the swimming is lovely.

Yes! Kassiopi is very pretty with fab restaurants and all the boat trips are fab (loved the night cruise to Corfu Town). Stayed at the Theofilos studios and apartments

WhaleSharkBootySweat · 17/08/2023 05:48

I've never been to Greece, where would you recommend for a first timer with a 6 & 8 year old?

Roselilly36 · 17/08/2023 06:47

We are going to Greece this year, for the first time, always been to Spain or Canaries before, 8 years on the trot to Lanzarote however with Lanzarote's president, Dolores Corujo reportedly saying the island was too full of tourists and that they were aiming to attract a "higher class" of people. Ms Corujo said she did not want Lanzarote to have to depend on large volumes of British tourists, and would instead seek to attract higher-spending holidaymakers. Don’t want to spend time and money where we aren’t welcome. I have noticed over the years, taxi drivers and shops assistants being quite rude, to us. Greece seems to hold a more welcoming attitude. So here’s hoping.

TheFairyCaravan · 17/08/2023 07:45

We went to Greece, for the first time, when every where else was out of bounds due to Covid. I think a lot of other people did too, which is why it has grown in popularity.

We’re going to Menorca in a couple of weeks, which is my favourite place on earth, but have booked to go back to Kos next year. DS2 and DDIL are going to Crete very soon on their last holiday before their baby is born.

DS1 is currently in Turkey with the world and its wife it would seem. Practically everyone I know has either just been, is in, or is going to Turkey this year.

Nw22 · 17/08/2023 07:55

@Meredusoleil sani is a hotel chain

Meredusoleil · 17/08/2023 07:56

Nw22 · 17/08/2023 07:55

@Meredusoleil sani is a hotel chain

Oh OK. Thanks for clarifying!

leccybill · 17/08/2023 08:37

We love Greece. Been to Crete a few times (Chania is lovely) Rhodes, Zante and this year, Kos - loved it. Kos Town is laid-back, interesting, historical and has good value bars and restaurants. Under 4 hours flight. Go before the Instagram crowd discover it!

We only stay in 4 and 5 star hotels and I can honestly say I've never put toilet paper in a bin, always flushed it!

You can't beat a fresh Greek salad - the tomatoes, the feta, the olive oil - to die for.

travelogue · 17/08/2023 09:22

Yes! We often go to Greece but this year literally everyone I know has been there on holiday! (Well everyone I've spoken to about hols / on FB) Except my one friend who always goes walking in Scotland!

Maybe it's because Turkey isn't as cheap as it once was?

SaturdayGiraffe · 17/08/2023 09:56

Maybe BA have put more flights/routes on?

Leoislazy · 17/08/2023 10:03

Thank you @geoger
Everyone I know who has been seems to hire a car - I just assumed it was difficult to do it any other way.

geoger · 17/08/2023 11:14

Leoislazy · 17/08/2023 10:03

Thank you @geoger
Everyone I know who has been seems to hire a car - I just assumed it was difficult to do it any other way.

Lots of people do hire cars, we have im the past too
Hiring a boat is way more fun and the KTEL buses are good and cheap

Squidlette · 17/08/2023 11:33

Leoislazy · 17/08/2023 10:03

Thank you @geoger
Everyone I know who has been seems to hire a car - I just assumed it was difficult to do it any other way.

We've been going on and off for 20 years and never needed to hire a car. We tend to pick places where we can walk to beach/ bars etc then do the odd trip. I'll walk up to 30 minutes to get to beach or bars. I think it depends on what you want to do, but neither of us want to spend time in a car on holiday.

Leoislazy · 17/08/2023 11:54

That’s it exactly @Squidlette I have three teens and we’re all very happy being able to walk around to the beach and bars. If there’s a beach or cove there’s usually a canoe or boat or something to hire and get active with, snorkelling etc. We’ll quite often walk along a coast for an hour or so, stopping for swims, and see the next town over, when we go away - but that’s always been at campsites at Spanish or French coastlines. It will be nice to try somewhere new, particularly if Greece hasn’t jumped in price like other places have!

Squidlette · 17/08/2023 12:00

Leoislazy · 17/08/2023 11:54

That’s it exactly @Squidlette I have three teens and we’re all very happy being able to walk around to the beach and bars. If there’s a beach or cove there’s usually a canoe or boat or something to hire and get active with, snorkelling etc. We’ll quite often walk along a coast for an hour or so, stopping for swims, and see the next town over, when we go away - but that’s always been at campsites at Spanish or French coastlines. It will be nice to try somewhere new, particularly if Greece hasn’t jumped in price like other places have!

Sidari divides people on here, but you can do loads of walking and swimming along the beaches and coves there. And a lot of the bars open on to the beach. My kids love a beach bar.

Can't remember where we stayed in Kef, but there was a big hill to walk up. Same in Elounda, Crete. Sissi was a fair walk to the beaches, but bus rides away from places like Aghios Nikolas, the harbour town. Skiathos and Santorini we took our chances with the buses- but you were lucky to get on.

teach1066 · 17/08/2023 12:13

Yes we are in Kefalonia at the moment. Normally go to France or Balearics. Went to Mallorca last year - it was fabulous but the same villa in the same week was coming out at more than £1.5k extra for 2023. Much cheaper here. Beautiful scenery, fabulous food, friendly people and amazing weather.

Mammyloveswine · 17/08/2023 12:13

Everyone I know seems to have chosen Italy!!

geoger · 17/08/2023 17:37

Leoislazy · 17/08/2023 11:54

That’s it exactly @Squidlette I have three teens and we’re all very happy being able to walk around to the beach and bars. If there’s a beach or cove there’s usually a canoe or boat or something to hire and get active with, snorkelling etc. We’ll quite often walk along a coast for an hour or so, stopping for swims, and see the next town over, when we go away - but that’s always been at campsites at Spanish or French coastlines. It will be nice to try somewhere new, particularly if Greece hasn’t jumped in price like other places have!

I would recommend Nydri in Lefkada or Kassiopi in Corfu - Nydri has the edge for me

RiverLen · 17/08/2023 17:40

Lots of friends were going to Rome around Easter, but this summer, definantly Greece.

Anjelika · 17/08/2023 22:00

I'm intrigued by all the comments about Greece being a cheaper option. Do people mean it's cheaper than say Spain when you are there or are hotels cheaper? We always go self catering in a villa. I really wanted to go to Greece this year having had wonderful holidays in Crete and Rhodes but couldn't find anything remotely within budget. Ended up going to the Canaries as could get a lot more for my money there. Tried again for next year - Corfu, Zakinthos and the other side of Crete - but again way way more expensive than mainland Spain or the Canaries.

Notimeforaname · 18/08/2023 00:13

We are off to northern Corfu next week. Small hotel overlooking the harbour, bed and breakfast, lest than £1500 for both of us. We go to Kassiopi, don’t have a car and take a couple of boat trips, evening trip to Corfu town etc. it’s heavenly. There are a couple of beaches, they’re stony but the water is clear and the swimming is lovely.

Ah, you'll see me by the harbour so! I'll be the woman in the big floppy hat with a row of g&t's in front of her. Do wave 🤣

JimmyGrimble · 18/08/2023 02:11

Will do! 😎

HappiDaze · 18/08/2023 02:38

I've been to Greece a few times and love it

Went to Mallorca this year for a change as have been for decades.

Loved it so going again next summer to explore a bit more