Best Greek Destination?

[98elise]

This year we went to Zante (Kalamaki) which was our first trip to Greece.

It was a much better holiday than I expected so we're thinking of going back, but to a different part.

The things we liked:

Nice Beaches
The Food (very reasonable and lovely)
The People
The variety of things to do (again quite reasonable)

What we didn't like:
Laganas (18-30 vomit fest)
The general feel of it being a bit run down.
Kalamaki hotels are too far from the beach.

i suppose what we would like is a somewhere a bit more lively and close to the beaches (but not Laganas lively ), with a good choice of restaurants especially serving Greek food. Options to do other stuff as we spend about 50% of the time at the pool or beaches. Some actual Greek culture would be nice too.

We're a family of 4 but our kids are mid/late teens, so we would ideally like to book a villa or apartment.

[jen-apex]

I've been to Zakynthos too but can't recommend Naxos enough. Beautiful island, good food, beautiful beaches, lots to do and not overly touristy. I've also been to Santorini (June) and Mykonos (June & August). Santorini is beautiful but extremely busy in the main areas such as Fira and Oia and food etc is very expensive compared to other islands. Stayed in Mykonos as a stop-over twice and there's plenty to do, good nightlife, loads of shopping but again, very expensive.

[joshcowin]

Kefalonia is a nice place flowers everywhere, http://apollonion-hotel.gr/ this is a great location, super quiet!

Corfu is also nice, we stayed in Kassiopi, nice villa short walk from the small town.

[g3org3y]

Cyprus worth a look? Hire a car, plenty to see/do and some lovely beaches.

[Cal Shand]

Hi,

We tried Corfu last year and we also have 4 kids. We stayed in this villa and had an incredible holiday.

You can see my last review

https://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/accommodation/p8054...

We're finding it tough to match this villa for the money

Cheers
Cal

[overunder12g]

Sister in law lives in Kefalonia and we visit often. Fairly quiet, some fine beaches too. Not too sure your kids would enjoy it. Maybe I am a little too old to seek out night clubs etc but some good restaurants etc.
Argostoli is the main, if not the only town.
Fiscardo in the north is very pretty but a hairy drive from the south.
Good for a chill out holiday would be my summation.

[dalenorth]

Try Sani resort on halkadiki - awesome for kids!

[popeyewhite]

I've been to a few of the islands over the years.

IMO the one's that might suit you:

Skiathos
Skopelos
Naxos
Paros
Kefalonia
(parts of: Crete, Rhodes and Cyprus)

Islands that used to be worth a visit:
Kos
Corfu
Ios
Mykonos
maybe Santorini...but the caldera will always make it a bit special.

I have never been to the mainland, but have heard parts are very pleasant.

[98elise]

Thanks for all the relies, I'll check them all out

[55palfers]

g3org3y said:

Cyprus worth a look? Hire a car, plenty to see/do and some lovely beaches.

I'm off to Cyprus tomorrow - I'll report back.

[stevethegreek]

Kefalonia - though I'm biased as I'm from there

[98elise]

Cal Shand said:

Hi,

We tried Corfu last year and we also have 4 kids. We stayed in this villa and had an incredible holiday.

You can see my last review

https://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/accommodation/p8054...

We're finding it tough to match this villa for the money

Cheers
Cal

That looks a lovely place. I love a decent villa holiday. Last villa we rented in Florida was 6 bedroom, 2 living rooms, pool with built in hot tub....for 4 of us! It was like being rich for a couple of weeks

[Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah]

We went here for our Honeymoon in September, on the island of Thassos.

https://www.makryammos-hotel.gr/

Thassos is a beautiful island, a very quick and easy hop from the airport. It is a very unspoilt island, some amazing eateries, and glorious beaches.

I also couldn't recommend Makryammos highly enough.

Just don't fall for any feral cats, like we did, bringing home two!

[g3org3y]

55palfers said:

g3org3y said:

Cyprus worth a look? Hire a car, plenty to see/do and some lovely beaches.

I'm off to Cyprus tomorrow - I'll report back.

Hope you have a nice time, enjoy

[The_Doc]

Cal Shand said:

Hi,

We tried Corfu last year and we also have 4 kids. We stayed in this villa and had an incredible holiday.

You can see my last review

https://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/accommodation/p8054...

We're finding it tough to match this villa for the money

Cheers
Cal

Ha! We stayed there too 2 years ago. That BBQ is something else eh?

There are other bargains to be had like that, you've just got to book early.

[The_Doc]

dalenorth said:

Try Sani resort on halkadiki - awesome for kids!

£34,000 for 2 weeks beach front in July with 2 kids

You could buy Corfu for that much!

Note is made of the cheaper room at £12k

[peterg1955]

Not sure if this is still true but back in 1990 as part of our honeymoon when we visited Zante (Zakynthos) it was the only Greek island where a foreign individual could open/own a business without a Greek partner. It's still the only place I've been in Greece where we saw rats running across the main street in daytime...

Having already visited a few other islands by then the difference was noticeable especially as for the second week we moved to Kefalonia which was much nicer and better kept.

I would say Corfu, Cyprus, Kefalonia, Skiathos and (parts of) Crete are the nicest places I have visited in Greece. I don't believe Kos would be as nice as it was back in the late 80s and I didn't take to Rhodes for some reason...

[98elise]

Cal Shand said:

Hi,

We tried Corfu last year and we also have 4 kids. We stayed in this villa and had an incredible holiday.

You can see my last review

https://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/accommodation/p8054...

We're finding it tough to match this villa for the money

Cheers
Cal

Booked this very villa

Thanks for the recommendation.

[Johnniem]

Check out Tolon at the end of the Peloponnesse. It's on the mainland but is a nice place. Good beach, plenty of restaurants.

JM

[The_Doc]

98elise said:

Cal Shand said:

Hi,

We tried Corfu last year and we also have 4 kids. We stayed in this villa and had an incredible holiday.

You can see my last review

https://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/accommodation/p8054...

We're finding it tough to match this villa for the money

Cheers
Cal

Booked this very villa

Thanks for the recommendation.

That's three of us enjoyed the Mega barbeque