hi skyllis

we welcome all members of the industry but please do not sponsor/promote any particular companies but talk more generaly

oh and Welcome to HT

wizard

Well, I'm still expecting but nobody knocks the door, I'll be inside if you want me

yassus skyllis, can you help on this post

although we come to Greece twice a year i cannot answer this one as most places i have been are not suitable for disabled

thanks

wizard

Hi Skyllis

We have just returned from our third independant holiday to the village of Gialova nr Pylos in the Pelopponese - this whole area is simply gorgeous with stunning scenery and some of the best beaches in Greece - (particularly Voidokilia) and it's our favourite area of Greece. But because of the the huge development going on down the road at Romanos there are lots of big lorries trundling through Gialova so we think we'd like to give it a miss next year and try somewhere else
My question to you is - can you recommend somewhere either mainland or island with lots of fantastic practically deserted sandy beaches (we don't like rows of sunbeds!) no big hotels just small apartment or villa complexes and a good choice of tavernas within walking distance of the accommodation? We also don't want to be anywhere that features in lots of British holiday brochures!

Your help and advice will be really appreciated

Thanks
Diane

Hi Diane, I'm sure Skyllis will have some ideas but for us it would be the Pelion. It is the exact location for your requirements and one of our favourite destinations

Good morning all

Dear Duffy, unfortunately, I have no right - up to now - to post web addresses but as soon I 'll have collected all infos i will return at your question
There are thousands unspoiled places to visit like Koufonissia (islands part of Cyclades), Karpathos, Lemnos, Andros, Evia, Pelion, especially south of it, Samothraki, Amorgos, Anafi, Astypalaia and many more that no Tour Operators have reached them yet. In Greece there are 3500 islands and 1500 of them can be visited. The problem is that you may have to plan your holidays indepedently and without the insurance big operators offer. are you prepared for this?

Good morning

I 'll do my best! But I may have to post Web-addresses and I have not this right. Tell me if it would be better to send all infos collected straight to you and you judge which ones can be posted

Hi Rdv and Skyllis

Thanks for your replies

We've travelled independantly for the last 3 years and have decided not to use tour operators for future holidays. Since posting I've been tempted by the cheap BA flights to Thessalonika and have started looking at the Sithonian peninsular of Halikidiki particulary Vourvourou - It looks as though it has some stunning beaches and is not too touristy. If you can give me any advice on that area I'd appreciate it.

We have thought about the Pelion and will give that area another look. As for the islands we absolutely adore the Ionian islands as they're so green and apart from Samos and the Marathi peninsular on Crete which we loved the others don't tempt us as they're quite barren and we really want to go somewhere with lots and lots of trees!
You can Pm me if you like with any info that you have

Thanks
Diane

Hi Skylliss or anyone that can help

I'v just returned from a lovely holiday in Kos. Whilst eating out i had a lovely meal which consisted of beef, either large rice or small pasta shapes in a tomatoe sauce. This dish was served up in an earthanware/ clay plate. I think it was called something like "Geovistas" but cant for the life of me remember. I'v checked on the net and have came up with nothing.

could anyone help hope i'v posted in the right bit

kind regards

karen

Yiouvetsi!! It's actually the name of the dish it's cooked in, but it's one of my favourites. Drool!

The pasta is called "kritharaki". I make my yiouvetsi from lamb, tomatoes, garlic, black pepper, olive oil, thyme (or oregano sometimes) and a good sprinkling of grated cheese on top....a pack of kritharaki always comes home with me in my rucksack! You might see it in this country labelled as "orzo"

My favourite too. I make it with lamb but goat is wonderful. I always brought some home too until I discovered that Tesco and Sainsbury's sell it in two different sizes.

Good morning everybody

bigstego
The recipe you are asking is for Youvetsi as Elenitsa wrote and here are 2 recipes for you

1) INGREDIENTS
2 lbs beef
1/2 pack orzo
3 fresh tomatoes minced
1 bay leaf
2 cloves of garlic chopped
1 large chopped onion
1/2 cup olive oil
6 tbs grated cheese (preferably yellow & salty), in Greece we call it "Kefalotiri)
3 cups of water
salt and pepper

METHOD
-Cut meat in portions
-Heat half the oil
-Saute onions
-Add meat and saute
-Add salt, pepper, garlic and bay leaf
-Add tomato and 2 cups of water
-Simmer until half done, about 1-2 hours
-Place in baking pan
-Add 1 cup of water and place in the oven at 200 C or 350 F
-Bring to a boil
-Add orzo and stir from time to time until all water is absorbed
-Serve with grated cheese

2) INGREDIENTS
1 kg of lamb (chops/neck, whatever)
3 sliced onions
1 litre/1 quart of tomato puree' or tomato paste for cooking ( I prefer fresh minced tomatoes - 3 pieces)
Some olive oil
1kg/2lb of 'rice' pasta available in Italian or Greek delicatessens (called Krithara'ki)
Salt, pepper and oregano seasoning

METHOD
In a clay pot (or heavy cast iron pot), put the oil and let heat in an oven at high setting. Add the sliced onions and brown. Sprinkle the lamb with salt and pepper and place in the pot to brown the sides. When the lamb starts cooking, place the tomato over it and add the same amount of water. Let it heat for about 1 hour until the lamb feels soft and much of the water has evaporated (add water if needed). Remove from the oven, and put the 1 kg of 'rice' pasta. When the pasta is cooked (another 10 minutes), remove and serve hot.

Good apetite!

Hi Skyliss,

I posted this in another forum, but any help you could give would be greatly appreciated:

Hi all,

I have booked flights heading to Santorini, late July early August for 7 nights next year.

This will be my second time in santorini, and I am doing this holiday as a suprise for my g/f's birthday as she absolutely loved her first time on the island.

Last time we stayed in Perivolos, and had an amazing view so this time I would like to stay in the North and have equally amazing views across the Caldera.

As for the setting, I have no set destination bar the north, I would like to be in quite a romantic setting, the main hotel I have been looking at is the Anastasis Appartments, I'm willing to budget around 250 - 300 (300 at the absolute max) euros a night, which would get me the anastasis suite, which does look very nice.

I am just looking for opinions on the hotel and/or reccomendations of other hotels we might like more??!!

If I give you a few ideas of what she would really like:

* Secluded balcony
* Nice Pool
* Outdoor Jacuzzi (Not a must I just think she would love it as long as she was away from peoples view)
* Nice places to walk nearby
* Shops/Restaurants nearby, failing that nearby transport link!!

I think those would be the main things, i'm trying to make this as special as I possibly can, So any help would truly be greatly appreciated.

Thanks In advance

Richard

Good morning everybody

HolidayRich
Give me sometime, I'm working on it

Skyllis

I hope you can help. Me and hubby had planned on exploring the Central area of Greece. Our original plan was to visit the Mount Olympus area and then travel on to Prespa Lakes near the Albanian border. I have been checking for news since the fires and it would now seem that there has been flooding near the Albanian border but I can't work out where and what damage (if any) has been done.
Do you have any further information?

Good morning dear friends

Ginamc

Regarding Mount Olympos there is no problem as there were not any fires in area, but, I 'm searching all newspapers to have infos regarding the Prespes area and the fire there. I will answer you in a few days, O.K.?

Spyros

Spyros

Thank you for looking your help is much appreciated.

Gina