Suggestions for a nice island resort

"Chrisssssss........." wrote:
>
> I hope to be trying out a Greek island and want to try somewhere new (to
> me). Having been to Crete, Kos and Cyprus (both sides), can anyone suggest a
> resort on an island that will fit the following criteria...........
> Away from British lager louts
> Within walking distance of bars, beach, shops etc
> Ideally a small town or busy village with harbour or beach
> In other words we're looking for a relaxing time, but not too quiet either.
> A difficult one to answer I know, but they do exist.
> Any suggestions appreciated.
> Thanks, Chrissssss........

A few places on Samos

JJ

We have been to Spetses twice, and I agree, if you want a quiet time its a
good place to go.

The other islands we enjoyed going to on the same trips, were Poros and
Agistri.

We stayed in the main part of Poros at the 7 Brothers Hotel, Nikos is very
nice. There are different beaches you can easily walk to, and it was nice to
watch the ferry's come in while sitting on our balcony.

Agistri might be too quiet for you, but again its a lovely little island,
just across from Aegina. We stayed at Vasilara Studios which are just up
from the small port, the beach is a few minutes walk from them. Maria the
owner is lovely.

We like the freedom of choosing our own accommodation, flights and ferry's,
I think its so much better than having to depend on package holiday reps.

As a change of island chains, we plan on going to Naxos and Paros this
May/June.

Ruth



>
> From my own experience, if you want a fairly quiet island which is easy to
> get to, Spetses is a good choice. >

I would suggest either Paros or Naxos. Both are really nice islands to visit
and easy to get to from the mainland. Paros is more touristy than Naxos but
mainly with Greeks from Athens. It is also more expensive than Naxos. Naxos
is still very agricultural but has some beautiful beaches all the same. The
mountains are proper ones, very spectacular.

Best Regards,

Stuart Hudson

"Chrisssssss........." <chris@newsgroupinfo.wanadoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:dp8k16$84s$1@newsg1.svr.pol.co.uk...
> >> I hope to be trying out a Greek island and want to try somewhere new
(to
> >> me). Having been to Crete, Kos and Cyprus (both sides), can anyone
> >> suggest a
> >> resort on an island that will fit the following criteria...........
> >> Away from British lager louts
> >> Within walking distance of bars, beach, shops etc
> >> Ideally a small town or busy village with harbour or beach
> >> In other words we're looking for a relaxing time, but not too quiet
> >> either.
> >> A difficult one to answer I know, but they do exist.
> >> Any suggestions appreciated.
> >> Thanks, Chrissssss........
> >
> > If you want to get away from lager louts it's quite easy. All you have
to
> > do
> > is avoid the package holiday destinations. This basically means any
island
> > with an international or charter flight airport.
> >
> > On this basis the islands to avoid are 11 in number as follows: Corfu,
> > Kefalonia, Zakinthos, Skiathos, Lesvos, Samos, Mykonos, Kos, Santorini,
> > Rhodes and Crete. (I think that's all - anyone know of any others?)
> >
> > Now I know you can go to many of these islands (I have been to most of
> > them
> > myself) and have a perfectly nice time, but I still think it's a good
rule
> > of
> > thumb for a one-off visit (if you want to avoid the excesses of mass
> > tourism).
> >
> > There are around 70 Greek islands you can go to, so removing these 11
> > still
> > leaves 60 or so to choose from. Selecting one island from this number is
> > almost impossible, as I'm sure you know, each has its own unique
> > character.
> >
> > From my own experience, if you want a fairly quiet island which is easy
to
> > get to, Spetses is a good choice. Paros and Naxos are a bit further but
> > are
> > also easy to get to, and quite jolly places to stay in. If you want a
> > slightly more out-of-the-way island with fewer British voices around,
you
> > could try Amorgos, or even Astypalia, which is quite awkward to get to,
> > with
> > ferries arriving and leaving usually in the middle of the night, but has
a
> > strange end-of-the-world atmosphere once you get there. There are many
> > others. Everyone has their own favourites.
> >
> > --
> > Mike Lane (UK North Yorkshire)
> > To contact me replace invalid with mike underscore lane
>
>
> Many thanks to all and Mike especially for the detailed and invaluable
> reply. Lots to work on there and just the answer I was hoping for. I'll
now
> get to work on choosing a place.
> Very much appreciated, Chrissssss...........
>

Chris,

Mike has suggested various islands that would fit the bill. He suggests
Paros & Naxos. The main towns on both these islands are quite busy, so I
would suggest either Antiparos, which has a large village which is quite
lively without the British lager louts and is within walking distance of a
few beaches and there is a harbour. On Naxos, I would suggest the Aghia
Anna/Aghios Prokopios area: two villages by good beaches, but not far away
from the main town.

If you don't want to travel by ferry, there are places on Crete that would
fit the bill - just avoid the North Coast, east of Iraklion. Two places that
spring to mind are Plakias and Paleochora. You can get package tours to both
these, but British tourists are a minority.

Greecemad

"Greecemad" <greecemad@broomfield-elland.freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message
news:dp9aja$fpo$1@newsg4.svr.pol.co.uk...
>
> "Chrisssssss........." <chris@newsgroupinfo.wanadoo.co.uk> wrote in
> message
> news:dp8k16$84s$1@newsg1.svr.pol.co.uk...
>> >> I hope to be trying out a Greek island and want to try somewhere new
> (to
>> >> me). Having been to Crete, Kos and Cyprus (both sides), can anyone
>> >> suggest a
>> >> resort on an island that will fit the following criteria...........
>> >> Away from British lager louts
>> >> Within walking distance of bars, beach, shops etc
>> >> Ideally a small town or busy village with harbour or beach
>> >> In other words we're looking for a relaxing time, but not too quiet
>> >> either.
>> >> A difficult one to answer I know, but they do exist.
>> >> Any suggestions appreciated.
>> >> Thanks, Chrissssss........
>> >
>> > If you want to get away from lager louts it's quite easy. All you have
> to
>> > do
>> > is avoid the package holiday destinations. This basically means any
> island
>> > with an international or charter flight airport.
>> >
>> > On this basis the islands to avoid are 11 in number as follows: Corfu,
>> > Kefalonia, Zakinthos, Skiathos, Lesvos, Samos, Mykonos, Kos, Santorini,
>> > Rhodes and Crete. (I think that's all - anyone know of any others?)
>> >
>> > Now I know you can go to many of these islands (I have been to most of
>> > them
>> > myself) and have a perfectly nice time, but I still think it's a good
> rule
>> > of
>> > thumb for a one-off visit (if you want to avoid the excesses of mass
>> > tourism).
>> >
>> > There are around 70 Greek islands you can go to, so removing these 11
>> > still
>> > leaves 60 or so to choose from. Selecting one island from this number
>> > is
>> > almost impossible, as I'm sure you know, each has its own unique
>> > character.
>> >
>> > From my own experience, if you want a fairly quiet island which is easy
> to
>> > get to, Spetses is a good choice. Paros and Naxos are a bit further but
>> > are
>> > also easy to get to, and quite jolly places to stay in. If you want a
>> > slightly more out-of-the-way island with fewer British voices around,
> you
>> > could try Amorgos, or even Astypalia, which is quite awkward to get to,
>> > with
>> > ferries arriving and leaving usually in the middle of the night, but
>> > has
> a
>> > strange end-of-the-world atmosphere once you get there. There are many
>> > others. Everyone has their own favourites.
>> >
>> > --
>> > Mike Lane (UK North Yorkshire)
>> > To contact me replace invalid with mike underscore lane
>>
>>
>> Many thanks to all and Mike especially for the detailed and invaluable
>> reply. Lots to work on there and just the answer I was hoping for. I'll
> now
>> get to work on choosing a place.
>> Very much appreciated, Chrissssss...........
>>
>
> Chris,
>
> Mike has suggested various islands that would fit the bill. He suggests
> Paros & Naxos. The main towns on both these islands are quite busy, so I
> would suggest either Antiparos, which has a large village which is quite
> lively without the British lager louts and is within walking distance of a
> few beaches and there is a harbour. On Naxos, I would suggest the Aghia
> Anna/Aghios Prokopios area: two villages by good beaches, but not far away
> from the main town.
>
> If you don't want to travel by ferry, there are places on Crete that would
> fit the bill - just avoid the North Coast, east of Iraklion. Two places
> that
> spring to mind are Plakias and Paleochora. You can get package tours to
> both
> these, but British tourists are a minority.
>
> Greecemad

Paleochora was going to be my suggestion too. There are more Greek tourists
than tourists from any other nationality in this small but busy village,
mainly from Athens and Heraklion. Good food, good prices, plenty of
affordable accommodation, beaches, walks, Paleochora has the lot.

Henry.

I'd agree with Stuart. Naxos is great for a holiday. The countryside,
mountains and beaches are fantastic. Naxos Town is a also wonderful town to
wander around-day or night. If you want a beach on your doorstep-Aghia Anna
is a very nice, quiet resort and only a short hop away from Naxos Town.

Another option for a quiet holiday would be Skopelos.
Have a good time.
Tuvok

"hudson" <Mhh21c_removethis_@m> wrote in message
news:41qge3F1fqk8jU1@...
> I would suggest either Paros or Naxos. Both are really nice islands to
visit
> and easy to get to from the mainland. Paros is more touristy than Naxos
but
> mainly with Greeks from Athens. It is also more expensive than Naxos.
Naxos
> is still very agricultural but has some beautiful beaches all the same.
The
> mountains are proper ones, very spectacular.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Stuart Hudson
>
>

I agree about Naxos. I find Paros, especially the main town, too crowded and
more expensive in season than Naxos where you can find reasonable
accommodation most of the time, even in august.
There are pleasant beaches (though on the windy side...) and the atymosphere
is not too touristy.
Now if you want to get away from it all you go to one of the small Cyclades
(from Naxos) or Amorgos...
The other choice is western Cyclades : Sifnos, Serifos...

You can also leave the Cyclades and go the the Ionian Sea (Iraklia. Since
Captain Corelli, Kefalonia has been invaded by British tourists) or even
further on to Kythira...


"Tuvok" <Tandom@ukgateway.net> a écrit dans le message de news:
43ba7cc0$1_3@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com...
> I'd agree with Stuart. Naxos is great for a holiday. The countryside,
> mountains and beaches are fantastic. Naxos Town is a also wonderful town
> to
> wander around-day or night. If you want a beach on your doorstep-Aghia
> Anna
> is a very nice, quiet resort and only a short hop away from Naxos Town.
>
> Another option for a quiet holiday would be Skopelos.
> Have a good time.
> Tuvok
>
> "hudson" <Mhh21c_removethis_@m> wrote in message
> news:41qge3F1fqk8jU1@...
>> I would suggest either Paros or Naxos. Both are really nice islands to
> visit
>> and easy to get to from the mainland. Paros is more touristy than Naxos
> but
>> mainly with Greeks from Athens. It is also more expensive than Naxos.
> Naxos
>> is still very agricultural but has some beautiful beaches all the same.
> The
>> mountains are proper ones, very spectacular.
>>
>> Best Regards,
>>
>> Stuart Hudson
>>
>>
>
>

Calm down, calm down...

I suggested the studios with the pool. How people enjoy their holidays is
entirely a matter of choice.

Don't get so snooty, Mike. Tourism is a two way deal. We go to Greece to
enjoy people, the scenery, the weather, and culture. In return, the Greek
people benefit from a substantial input to their economy and other benefits
from tourism. As soon as you spend a euro in Greece-you become a tourist-it
doesn't matter whether you stay in a hotel or sleep under a tree or whether
you go to the beach or stay in a monastery.

I've been visiting Greece for nearly thirty years. I have done this via the
independent route and through package deals. In the last few years I have
found that the package deals have worked out considerably cheaper than the
independent route. Using the smaller specialist operators will get you to
the less commercialised islands without the hassle (and it can be a hassle!)
of transport to and from the airport, finding accommodation and carrying
cases/backpacks around in 40+ degrees of summer heat. It mind sound very
adventurous and romantic, but even if you plan ahead, the reality can be
quite different.
It is also a good way to establish a base from which to visit other nearby
islands with the security of knowing that you have a decent bed to get back
to before you return.

The original query from Chriss was for:
"Away from British lager louts
Within walking distance of bars, beach, shops etc
Ideally a small town or busy village with harbour or beach
In other words we're looking for a relaxing time, but not too quiet either."

IMHO Aghia Anna on Naxos seems to fit the bill quite well and as Chriss also
wanted to keep the cost down, a package deal would seem the obvious choice.

Happy New Year.

Tuvok



"Marianne Kristiansen" <mixelite@m> wrote in message
news:170m28lsmpmkz.161d2hgp6ue6q.dlg@40tude.net...
> On Sat, 31 Dec 2005 19:43:34 -0000, Chrisssssss......... wrote:
>

We will be going to Istanbul and Athens next month when it will still be
cold so I expect we will be wanting hot beverages, tea, coffee etc. I know
you're not suppose to drink the water but what about in hot beverages? Is
the fact that the water is very hot and/or boiled negate the problem? Or
should we just stay away from all water based beverages?
TIA
dot

Who told you not to drink the water?

"DotCom" <dot@pigtails.com> wrote in message
news:WKydnSOfJo50K0feRVn-uA@giganews.com...
> We will be going to Istanbul and Athens next month when it will still be
> cold so I expect we will be wanting hot beverages, tea, coffee etc. I
know
> you're not suppose to drink the water but what about in hot beverages? Is
> the fact that the water is very hot and/or boiled negate the problem? Or
> should we just stay away from all water based beverages?
> TIA
> dot
>
>