Anyone been to Greece recently?

Desert Orchid

Desert Orchid

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I have a chance of going to Zante this autumn (instead of Spain). The flights are dearer but the accommodation is cheaper and it works out about the same price.

I haven't been for 16 years but I remember eating out being extremely cheap and cheerful, with plentiful portions and friendly hosts.

Beer wasn't dear either.

What's it like now? Spain has got as expensive as the UK for a lot of things and I wondered if Greece had gone the same way.
 
I've been going to Greece since I was a child and I've seen a lot of changes over the years. I've been to Georgioupolis in Crete for the last 3 years as it's a quiet place with a decent beach, a good selection of tavernas and just a few bars where you can sit outside all night and watch the world go by. Last year though we saw signs of change there too, it was more expensive and there seemed to be a growing commercialism. Beer and lager are still cheap though and the local Mythos is a rather nice pint!

It all probably depends upon what you're looking for in a holiday, the 'Old Greece' with donkeys pulling carts and men playing backgammon down side streets in harder to find.

Does it have been to be Zante you go to or are you open to suggestion?
 
Greece is now in the EU, and like everywhere in the EU has become more expensive as costs, taxes and prices become standardised across the EU zone. I haven't been to Greece for several years either but it was heading that way several years ago.

Agreed Spain is now almost as expensive as the UK and certainly as France or Italy these days.
 
Triptych said:
Does it have been to be Zante you go to or are you open to suggestion?
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I'm always open to suggestion, big girl ;);)

Seriously, though... Zante was what came up while I was trawling the cheap holiday comparison sites. It wouldn't have to be Zante. I'll go almost anywhere if the price is right :cool:

I wasn't expecting anywhere in Greece to work out competitively with the Costa Blanca hence my query. It would be nice to go back there. We were in Tsilivi before and, although we found it a wee bit tacky then, it still seemed nicer than Laganas. I realy took to the Greek people I met. They genuinely seemed to appreciate my woeful attempts at communication with them in their own language!
 
Next door neighbours just been to Zante, they loved it. Depends where and what you want from your hols as parts of Zante have become "Falarakified"
 
I'd be on my own so I want at least a 4* hotel with cheap and cheerful eating and drinking places nearby. Places to walk about, quiet coves to swim.

I'm not interested in clubs or Club 18-30-type dens.
 
Some 60-70 from the 6th form at my son's school went there for 2 weeks 3 weeks ago. He and some friends decided to go to Kavos instead.Older son went last year.

My understanding is that it is very much a place for the 18-20 crowd.
 
Desert Orchid said:
I'd be on my own so I want at least a 4* hotel with cheap and cheerful eating and drinking places nearby. Places to walk about, quiet coves to swim.

I'm not interested in clubs or Club 18-30-type dens.
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I should hope not!!!!! ;)

You'll be on your own?? Madame and Mademoiselle Orchid not fussed about going?!

I love Greece, I haven't been to the mainland in - crikey Moses, it's 14 years now!!!! I was in Corfu two years ago though and yes, the prices have risen from when I last went that way (it must've been nearly ten years since I'd been to Cyprus a couple of times) but plenty of it is still lovely. There is something about Greece (and the isles) that I love - I find the history fascinating and find parts of it incredibly peaceful and relaxing.
 
Shadow Leader said:
I should hope not!!!!! ;)

You'll be on your own?? Madame and Mademoiselle Orchid not fussed about going?!
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I often go away on my own if our holidays don't coincide. I don't like to stay at home as I end up wasting my time just loafing about, which makes me feel ill, and the weather usually stops me from getting out and about.

It's also a chance for me to be a wee bit selfish. I usually organise the family holidays, deal with all the logistics, tote the luggage, drive the hired car, do the shopping, cook the meals, etc., then get dragged round stupid shops for days on end. In that respect it's not a holiday for me. When I go on my own, I can get up at 7am, go for a walk, swim when I want, toddle off to a local bar (avoiding the Brits where poss), wander off in any old direction without worrying about the terrain, etc.

Those are the only holidays I truly enjoy.
 
Sounds good if there are no objections (from the other Orchids), the idea appeals to me also - the sun, a beach, lots of margueritas and 25 books!!! :D
 
F*ck the books! I only ever take two books with me on holiday: the form book (if there's a big meeting coming up or if the weather forecast over there is poor) and the Times Book of Crosswords!
 
DO, have been there a couple of times in last 4 years. Laganas is still definitely much more preferable to Zante town. More restaurant orientated as opposed to heaving bars for the club 18-30 types.
 
Jaysus, I have a doppleganger.

It's also a chance for me to be a wee bit selfish. I usually organise the family holidays, deal with all the logistics, tote the luggage, drive the hired car, do the shopping, cook the meals, etc., then get dragged round stupid shops for days on end. In that respect it's not a holiday for me. When I go on my own, I can get up at 7am, go for a walk, swim when I want, toddle off to a local bar (avoiding the Brits where poss), wander off in any old direction without worrying about the terrain, etc.
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Not yet, Triptych. I spent a bit of time trying to get info on the accommodation available but couldn't find any references to air conditioning. Then I discovered I'd got my holiday dates mixed up (!) so I've had to start from scratch and Greece isn't available at comparable costs with Spain for the week I can go.

Still hopeful, though...

PS ~ I'm still available for that drink!
 
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KOS, RHODES, CRETE are all brilliant with CRETE being more a family thing with history in abundance to see, so doubt you will see all of the island and its attractions without finding time to relax, on a beach or two, that is ..................
 
Crete is a good island to go to whatever you're looking for. Chania and Rethymnon are two of the main towns on the island both with a friendly, yet slightly hectic buzz about them. Georgioupolis, which I mentioned earlier is a lovely little fishing village without too many tourists, but with a long sandy beach and a good selection of tavernas. It's situated between Chania and Rethymnon which makes it a good base for exploring the island. A mile walk takes you to Crete's only lake, Kournos, which is worth seeing. Other places of interest include Knossos (which was on Francesco's Mediterranean last night), The Samaria Gorge and Souda Bay, the Navy base. The British and German war graves are also at Souda Bay - two very poignant places, beautifully kept and peaceful.

Of the other islands Poros is a good place if island hopping is your thing and Santorini has some stunning scenery but gets very busy during the summer months.

If you're looking for flights I often use http://www.charterflights.co.uk. It's not always the cheapest but it's a good way of finding out what seats are left on which charter flights. You can then go to the airline's own site where's it may be a little cheaper.
 
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