Hi! Unfortunately I can't give you up to date info on Petra , as the last time I went was in 1988!! It was a lovely little stone built village with a good selection of tavernas in those days, but given that it's been receiving package tourists since at least 1986 (the first time I went), things have probably changed. But I'd guess that it's still not package holiday hell!

Went to lesvos last may for 3 weeks stayed at the aphrodite apts in anaxos basic rooms but very friendly owners, lovely bar and pool. As for petra its a traditional greek village with a long seafront beach ok,a few little narrow alleys to wander up and down with a few shops and tavernas. As for lesvos its a very picturesque island very greek like not overrun with tourism. Molyvos, Petra and Anaxos are the busiest. Molyvos perhaps too busy and expensive, Petra in between and Anaxos the least busiest and very inexpensive half price for pretty much everything. Personally i liked anaxos much more easy to visit the others but by far the friendliest The food in petra and anaxos was execellent. We hired a car its easy to drive round cause theres no traffic. Its a very mountainous island with some fantastic scenery the history is also quite intresting, as is the nature some of the best wildlife and flowers ive seen. Ive been to many places in greece this ones up there among the best if your after a quiet relaxing traditionaly greek holiday [get booked ] if you have any questions dont hesitate to ask......dave

Hi Mel,

You've just brought back some lovely memories for me.

We stayed in Petra about 8 or 9 years ago in the Hotel Michealia (excuse spelling!). It takes around an hour and a half to get there from the airport.
The food was lovely (One of my lasting memories is the first night when we went out and the taverna we chose didn't have a menu - you had to go into the kitchen to pick what you wanted. ) and the people are really friendly (we had many a card game with the older gents on an evening). The beach was very clean and safe for a little one.
There are taxi's near the post office and it was really cheap to get into Molyvos if you fancy something a bit busier. Molyvos is also nice to have a wander around and the view from the top is great.
Lesvos is a really traditional place, not at all like some of the busier islands. The scenery is lovely. Try and get out and go to the petrfrified forrest - we really enjoyed that.

Enjoy!

Dawn

Found this link too Mel which you might find useful - http://www.sapphowomen.com/TOWNS_AND_VILLAGES/Petra.htm

Thanks very much for that. Just one question, how long is the transfer from the airport to the resort? As I mentioned, we'll be taking our new baby abroad for the first time & I'm just a little bit nervous about all of the travelling. Someone said that they think its about 2-3 hours, is this right?

Sorry, ive just read your reply puddleduck!! Thanks for that.

Hi Mel,

Sorry I did mean to be a bit more specific about the transfer and then I got carried away!!!
Just to clarify if you get a private transfer you could probably get there in an a hour and a half. (unfortunately I don't know how much that would cost)
I think it took us just over 2 hours as we were on a coach dropping people off. The unfortunate thing is that you are last off and then first on for the return journey BUT it is worth it to stay somewhere like Petra.
If you do intend to rent a car, perhaps one of your options is to collect it from the airport - then you'll be your own boss and can stop with the baby if you need to.

Dawn

Dawn,

Ha ha, thats how I feel about Skopelos, It doesnt take much for me to get carried away when i'm talking about it. Unfortunately thats out of the question this year because of the Hydrofoil journey from Skiathos.
I figured that 1 1/2 hours would be by car rather than coach, we usually tend to do it that way any way. we have toyed with the idea of hiring a car at the airport, but I would need to find out about car seats, as its a long way to travel without one. I cant wait to have this baby, but theres so much more to think about these days!!!!

Mel

Try this site Mel - http://www.auto-hire-online.com/application_en.asp - they also include baby seats as an optional extra plus they have a call centre here in England if you just wanted to chat to someone about your options.

Dawn

Thanks for that, I'll look into it.

Mel

went to Petra back in 2000 - quiet compared to big island resorts - only a handful of bars and a disco a couple of miles away over looking the bay.
The church on the rock is amazing and they have a big feast on August 15. You can obviously get to Anaxos/Molyvos easily enough.
Found a few things against it - yes the journey from airport is long and with us they brought the luggage in a seperate cart so we were stuck in our travelling gear for 2 hours - one really odd thing the sea water was cold - dont know why just seemed cold compared to other islands we've been to and it is one of those beaches backed by a main road so very open which some dont like.

Eeeee Mel

You don't want to be going to abroad with a new baby - you might have to bath him in the kitchen sink

Been to Lesvos a few times and stopped in Petra in the Blue Sky. We really enjoyed it and are once again returning this year. There is a nice beach there and plenty of traditional tavernas and some good shops which you often come across a bargain in. The transfer time is approximately 1 hr 30 mins and in most places the luggage comes seperately on a little van(usually arrives before we get to the accomadtion ).
I hope this helps

Went to Lesvos mid ninties stayed in Petra, really enjoyed it, found it very Greek, friendly, just had a bad experience with the hotel, think it was called the Theodor, the owner would not allow you to have a kettle in your room or any alcholic drinks, well no at all really, the breakfast was 2 small slices of bread and jam everyday, with tea or coffee, so weak it was just like drinking tepid water, the same with the orange juice, as no guest at the hotel would buy anythink from him because of his attitude, he took all the sun beds away from around the pool, but that was just the hotel the rest of the place was lovely, so were the people, found a nice taverna called the Natalia, the owners had spent many years in South Africa and really befriended us why I do not know, but the owners wife Helen said her husband has said whatever my husband whatsn she has to cook for him, they were wonderful, did find the transfer distance from the airport a little long

i,ve been to petra twice 2002,2003.the best place we,ve ever been to.very relaxed very greek.well stocked shops.hoping to go back this year to see the friends we have made there,but we have had a new addition to the family since our last visit ,our 1 year old daughter.but i think we will be going its just such a fantastic place.also having been there before we know where the accomodation is situated so this might have helped us in our decision.

Edited to restore default font settings, which should not be adjusted in resort forums.
David HT Mod

As the op Mel (who is my daughter btw) hasn't been back here for a while I just thought I'd let you know that the reason is that she became a new mum last week, so she's got other things on her mind at the moment!

She did manage to come to a decision about where to go for their first family holiday beforehand though and has gone for the shorter flight time to Corfu, but I'm sure she'll be looking at Lesvos again next year when she's feeling a bit more adventurous.

Congratulations!! When are you going toget the new addition onto the Paxos delfini??!

LOL - I think that might be a little while away yet. It's been a long time since Mike and I had to be a "repsonsible adults" for more than a few hours at a time :o)

Unless I can persuade Mel and her husband to join us there of course - and I am trying!

Congratulations Mel!!

Dawn