Paxos Greece

[Granville]

Myself and my other half are off to Paxos early October for a weeks get away and relaxation. I've been to Corfu twice and many of the other Greek Islands and totally loved it, other half has never been to Greece hence why we are going.

I don't expect massively brilliant weather for this time of year, it's more of a get away break than a sunbathing holiday. Can anyone recommend any must sees / eats (or avoids) whilst we are out there?

Also, does anyone have a link for a time table for the ferry from Corfu to Paxos? I'm thinking it's maybe a little to early in the season for a timetable to be listed as I can only currently find timetables for last year.

Thanks in advance.

[Black Sport 160]

Late September last year, Corfu was infested with wasps. Really irritating during mealtimes.

Was mosquito season, too.

Plus it was raining and / or cloudy pretty much half the time.

I love Corfu, have been several times and know the island well. But can't help thinking May or June are the best months of the year to visit there or Paxos.

[prand]

We went to Paxos 2 summers ago. It's a brilliant place, I think my favourite Greek island so far, so I am very jealous of your choice.

October migth be a bit touch and go with the weather, but unlike May, the sea should be warm after a long hot summer. We went in August, which I wouldn't normally recommend as the place was buzzing with noisy Italians on their summer holidays (why are they always shouting at each other?!)

I loved the fact you couldn't fly direct, so getting there was a proper voyage, with transfers by ferry - although that goes via the mainland, boat/water taxi - which is good if you are a big party or can tag along with a group, flying dolphin (hydrofoil) is the usual way, or even float plane on which was on offer when we went.

We had a hire car which is pretty essential to get around the island (it's a very hilly 9KM from tip to tip, and worth exploring all of it by car as the daily bus isn't very practical)

As for timetables, I would wait until the season kicks off before trying to find one for 2010, as they never seem to have a fixed one for Paxos. When running, they usually seemed to have at least one in the morning and one in the afternoon - so missing the morning one might mean you have a nice day to explore Corfu Town, which is well worth a visit.

I strongly recommend getting a travel agent to book the flying Dolphin, as we found that the tour operators booked up all the places in advance, leaving very few places for independent travellers. Again, October might be very different as it is off season.


Try:
[e-mail]
www.agnitravel.com
[e-mail]

Sadly, I think the float plane isn't operating any more, which is a shame as I was really tempted to use it one day, it looked a great experience.

[anonymous-user]

Went to Lefkas last year late September and the sea was lovely and warm! and the the air temerature of early twenties so ideal for exploring and not sweating your nuts off! id guess Paxos will be similar if not a bit cooler being later on!

[Granville]

I'm not too bothered about the weather to be honest, we're both fair skinned and burn quite easily, it's also nice to get out and about without it being uncomfortably hot and sweating gallons.

We've got a car for the week, is there anywhere in particular that is a must visit? I'm guessing we will pretty much explore the whole island anyway and take some walks as well.

Is AntiPaxos worth a trip over? Pictures look nice.

I can't wait, not been away for 2 years and other half hasn't been away for many many years.

[prand]

All the main villages are on the coast, Lakka, Loggos and Gaios are all places you could while away a few hours at a quayside taverna watching the boats and the fisherman pootling about. Particularly Gaios, the island's capital which in the summer is a mecca for some impressive craft, both motor & sail. There are a couple of small villages inland which have some regarded tavernas, and perhaps the odd broken down olive press building, but nothing really of note beyond the good views of the sea from a high vantage point.

Antipaxos is worth seeing mainly for the little boat trip to get over there, and to visit the lovely beaches - but really not much more there to look at, there is a taverna up high on the cliff overlooking one of the bays which again is a lovely place to while away an afternoon. If you can get a boat trip to Parga that's a place worth visiting as it's lovely little coastal town on the mainland.

Paxos is famous for its olive groves and an eccentric old englishman has mapped out all the old footpath and donkey trails and some suggested walks round the island. We helpfully left our Bleasdale map at home when we went, but it was great just following a trail into the groves and finding out where you ended up!

October, I reckon will be very peaceful, so I hope the sun shines for you and you're looking forward to a very relaxing time!

[Granville]

Thanks Prand.

We have a villa in Gaios with car hire for the week. Like you say, hopefully the vast majority of folk will already have holidayed and there will be less hussle and bussle from the crowds.

The local map sounds a good find and hopefully we'll go off exploring on foot and see what we can find along the way.

Much appreciated for your imput

[Granville]

Does anyone have an idea when the Ferry / Dolphin timetables for 2010 are out?

[stevethegreek]

Granville said:

Does anyone have an idea when the Ferry / Dolphin timetables for 2010 are out?

This seems to be up to date - linky

[Granville]

Thanks, I couldn't see anything for the Ferry / Dolphin from Corfu to Paxos though which is what I am after (fly in to Corfu and transfer over to Paxos)

[stevethegreek]

ok...try here

[Granville]

Thanks for that. It appears the timetables only go as far as end of September & 10th October. We're travelling after the 10th October