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Help! recommendations for Greek holiday please

(67 Posts)
Flo122 Tue 18-Jun-24 16:44:31

I have been staring at my laptop for about a week, trying to decide where to go on holiday. We want to go to a Greek island ( have "done" Zante, Kefalonia, Santorini and Crete), and prefer somewhere with an authentic feel, with plenty of choice of tavernas. What do fellow Gransnetters recommend please?

grannyactivist Tue 02-Jul-24 00:45:34

I’m heading back to Rhodes again in September. We were there a year ago and really loved it. So much history, fabulous food, cheap local buses, and interesting places to visit. Plus amazing windsurfing, sailing and cycle rides for my adventurous husband. We enjoyed Lesvos for many years and I also had a wonderful time on a solo trip to Cyprus a few years back.

Farzanah Mon 01-Jul-24 20:10:59

Nightsky2

Glorianny

Symi is one of the most beautiful and underdeveloped Greek islands. Yes parts of it are rocky and wild, but that means there are tiny bays you can take a water taxi to and spend the day peacefully. There are a few sandy long beaches with just one hotel or taverna. Symi town is totally unlike any other Greek town with tall turn of the century houses. The monastery is so peaceful. And the people are so friendly. It is however very hilly.

Symi it is absolutely stunning if you want a quiet and peaceful holiday.

Symi is even better in January, with no tourists….and cooler. No buses, no taxis.

Waylan Mon 01-Jul-24 17:14:57

How about Naxos? It’s got a real local vibe, lots of great tavernas, and beautiful beaches. Plus, it’s less touristy compared to the more popular islands!

Iam64 Sat 29-Jun-24 16:08:14

Lesbos has been the Greek island most asylum seekers arrive at, for many years. It’s very difficult for inhabitants because some Northern European holiday makers are less likely to go. Volunteers from the island and other countries try to help the refugees.

Missiseff Sat 29-Jun-24 12:55:20

Skiathos, Parga, Stoupa

Mt61 Sun 23-Jun-24 11:18:03

My aunt went to Lesbos not that long ago, said she would never go back as a boat load of migrants had landed a few days before.The locals were mopping their doorways with strong disinfectant as the migrants had been using door ways as a toilet 😩

DrWatson Sun 23-Jun-24 02:30:11

Well, don't go in the height of summer, and for us, don't go at all. This is the forest fire season, one reported on Hydra today (set off by nitwits with fireworks?!).

Croatia instead, or the Italian lakes?

Iam64 Sat 22-Jun-24 19:29:20

35 years ago 😂

Iam64 Sat 22-Jun-24 18:32:42

I’m with you on corfu, once 305 years ago, never again.
I’d avoid islands with airports (though Kefalonia is lovely). Mainland wonderful

tictacnana Sat 22-Jun-24 18:29:39

Don’t go to Corfu. Other than that , hope you have a lovely time …ANYWHERE ELSE.

Cagsy Sat 22-Jun-24 17:31:02

We have had some great holidays on Rhodes, as someone mentioned Lindos is lovely but we only went at night as it was too hot there during the day. Our youngest got engaged on Santorini a couple of years ago, it was just as things were opening up after the dreaded virus so it wasn’t too busy, he said he didn’t think it would be as enjoyable heaving with tourists. They also went to Mykonos, evidently footballers and film stars go there so prices are sky high.

Janeea Sat 22-Jun-24 16:23:01

Paxos definitely, , my son and his family have just come back from Santorini and were bitterly disappointed with the commercialisation that has taken place over the past few years

Iam64 Sat 22-Jun-24 15:49:43

I visted Stpups last year for the first time on 15 years. I found it transformed from the quiet Greek resort I’d known. The beach a sea of sun beds crammed together, less authentic tavernas. The majority of tourists were British. I was staying in Kardamyli the next village along the road. That’s a beautiful small village with a good range of tavernas and tourists from the uk and other Northern European resorts

Grannywaffle70 Sat 22-Jun-24 15:43:30

Cycladis beautiful and still authenticitish

El73 Sat 22-Jun-24 14:27:48

Flo122

I have been staring at my laptop for about a week, trying to decide where to go on holiday. We want to go to a Greek island ( have "done" Zante, Kefalonia, Santorini and Crete), and prefer somewhere with an authentic feel, with plenty of choice of tavernas. What do fellow Gransnetters recommend please?

Our favourite is Lefkada, just north of Kefalonia. Beautiful scenery all around,lovely people. It's attached to the mainland via a floating bridge making for easy access to visit other places such as Parga.

No wish for Santorini or Mykonos personally as, by all accounts, they're horrendously expensive.

Another is Skopelos if you want something very traditional via Skiathos or Skiathos itself.

Mainwin Sat 22-Jun-24 14:11:29

If you are looking for authentic Greece, don't go with a tour operator. Get a flight to Athens and a ferry to an island. I would recommend Aegina or Naxos

Grandmahigham Sat 22-Jun-24 14:05:46

Have you considered the mainland.The Peloponnese is a not at all touristyA few low key resorts.Very Greeky,love Stoupa.

Iam64 Sat 22-Jun-24 14:04:17

There have been suggestions of mainland villages as well as islands minus airports

GreyhairedWarrior Sat 22-Jun-24 13:52:51

Why all the passion for islands when mainland Greece is so lovely and a heck of a lot less expensive? We had a wonderful holiday touring the Peloponnesus and also visiting the spectacular Meteora national park.

missdeke Sat 22-Jun-24 13:26:54

Kastellorizo is a pretty, little island but not sure if it's suitable for more than a few days.

Nightsky2 Sat 22-Jun-24 12:42:15

Glorianny

Symi is one of the most beautiful and underdeveloped Greek islands. Yes parts of it are rocky and wild, but that means there are tiny bays you can take a water taxi to and spend the day peacefully. There are a few sandy long beaches with just one hotel or taverna. Symi town is totally unlike any other Greek town with tall turn of the century houses. The monastery is so peaceful. And the people are so friendly. It is however very hilly.

Symi it is absolutely stunning if you want a quiet and peaceful holiday.

Flo122 Sat 22-Jun-24 12:39:37

Thanks again everyone. We are planning to go in September x

SynchroSwimmer Sat 22-Jun-24 12:20:14

Jet 2 / Lesvos / Molyvos

Mouse Sat 22-Jun-24 12:13:46

Paros is beautiful. At least it was thirty years ago when it was unspoilt with few tourists.

ExDancer Sat 22-Jun-24 11:58:59

Corfu? Especially the North of the island away from the mode popular tourist areas.