Greek islands?

[cheeseontoasteez]

Looking to take my 12 year old daughter away next summer and would love to go to Greece for a beach holiday.

We really love to experience old towns and get a sense of authentic Greece. However as its just me and my daughter we are thinking its best to stay in a larger resort. Last year when we went away we stayed in a smaller hotel in Spain and struggled of an evening for entertainment and often went back to the hotel earlier. I don't usually like all inclusive but would prefer maybe half board so we don't spend half of our holiday looking around for places to eat.

Does anyone have any suggestions please? I've been looking at Kefalonia but have never been.

Kefalonia is great but not much in the way of old towns following the devastating earthquake of 1953. Argostoli is the main town with a lovely harbour and tavernas, but also the town centre is filled with restaurants, bars, shops and is a great place to hang out in the evening. We stayed in Lassi which has gorgeous beaches, with some lively beach bars- you can walk to Argostoli from there and Lassi itself has lots of nice tavernas. It’s a great place for all ages. I’ve never been AI or half board though as I like going to different places. It’s also near the airport so you can be on the beach quickly without a long journey. The downside however is the sun beds on the beaches have become very expensive.

You won't get a sense of authentic Greece if you don't want to go out to tavernas in the evening and if you want 'entertainment'. What you want is a hotel complex.
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Maybe look at Sidari or Ipsos in Corfu. Still a Greek village but there are karaoke bars etc.

If you do go to Kefalonia, consider hiring a car. It’s not expensive and the roads are good. Or take a tour to Fiskardo which is beautiful and escaped the earthquake. Also take a ferry across to Lixouri - still part of the island but a different vibe with cafes along the harbour and in the pretty square. I also think there’s a water park there? Or have a wonderful day out on a boat trip from Argostoli on the Lady O or Queen Bee!

I love Greece and Ive done pretty much all the islands.
Try Rhodes, its hot and very historic but most people speak english enough for it not to feel totally foreign. The right side is hot hot hot and tsambikos beach is probably the most amazing beach Ive ever been to. Lindos is amazing and the acropolis view? Wowsers! The left side of the island has a lovely breeze but be careful as it masks the heat so well you wont realise how hot it is.
Try Crete, home of the minotaur (😁). Its dry and volcanic but its a whole different vibe to the rest of Greece. The view as you drive down from Chania airport across the harbour is absolutely breathtaking.
Try Zante, it gets a bad rep because of Laganas but if you go for one of the northern resorts its beautiful and the beaches are amazing with quiet, clear, calm, shallow sea that is like a bath by late May. Can you tell its my happy place 🙂
Any island you go to will need a car if you want to see lots of history as although there are always busses they arent as regular as here and I find it too hot to be faffing about. Dont worry about driving on the wrong side, noone else obeys the driving laws in Greece either 😂

I'd suggest Skiathos because in Skiathos Town there are loads and loads of places to eat so you can do B and B. Lots of the tavernas and restaurants are very 12 year old friendly and there are Greek restaurants but also pizzerias and grills and ice cream places- and it's so easy to walk around and pick things. There are quite a few resorts in Skiathos, all serviced by a regular bus that goes up and down the coast. The beaches are beautiful and nowhere is a long airport transfer.

Ps you 100% do not need a car in Skiathos!

Look at Mastichari in Kos. Smaller and rather Greek resort. A smaller range of hotels, and some nice beaches both at hotels and in the town. There is very decent public transport around the island, and it's big enough to have variety but small enough not to need a car (although easy to get one if you wanted one for a few days). There's a nice harbour and a ferry to Kalymnos too. Some nice day trips run from the harbour to the nearby islands too.

YY to Skiathos, which is fab. Not a place for big AI resorts though, and if you don’t take pleasure in finding a different little taverna to try each evening it may not be for you. We stayed in Skiathos Town and used the excellent air-conditioned local buses to travel round, or took little boats from the harbour to nearby beach islands such as gorgeous Tsougrias. Our favourite days involved snorkelling in crystal-clear waters and dining on simply-cooked fresh fish, followed by an evening harbour stroll and a few card games before bed. No more entertainment required!

Yes, Skiathos is beautiful and easy to get around in public transport is you are not renting a car. A bit touristy but it may work for the two of you; you can do a day trip to Skopelos and maybe Alonissos. It is small island.

We have just been to both islands, loved Skopelos, stayed in Glossa but rented a car to get around; you need to be a confident driver. Similar to Kefalonia which is also beautiful.

I have been to Kefalonia and liked it (I was on my Corelli pilgrimage!). Not sure it's as 12 year old friendly as Skiathos?

I don’t think Greek island is a bit resort place; that is why we love; however I think m Rodhes has somr large resort; we stayed in a small authentic village and rented car.

Love the Greek Islands

I recently returned from Zante and recommend that, it had the Greek feel, not too busy with lots to do plus decent value.
Athens is great too and you could do a boat trip.