Hello Graham,

Local resident? I wish but there are still about 2000 of them there.

We tried the last 2 weeks of September and the first 2 weeks of October last year. The weather was good throughout except one day of rain and one impressive thunderstorm which spread from Rhodes to Marmaris. It was mentioned on both pages on this site. We found that the weather has cooled from its present 35C to a more pleasant 25C. Perfect for walking. Remember that Symi is usually about 4 or 5 degrees warmer than Rhodes because of its sheltered position. Yes, once you get into October, a light jacket would be sensible in the evenings (so Herself informs me). The water is at its warmest and I even did a bit of swimming myself last year, as did the Symi Synchronised Swimming Team who visit each year at the end of September:

Barking Mad

Pools are a bit rare on Symi and most people manage with the Big Blue Pool, called the Aegean. The new Iapetos Hotel Village has a pool and the latest reports say that you could use their pool if a drink is purchased at the Bar. No guarantees.
Iapetos Hotel
It is behind the Square so is not too far for you to walk from the Anastasoula Mouragio, as your version of the Anastasia is now called. NOS Beach is a lot closer (100 metres) and has a bar on site.

Another for you RP....finally decided to bite the bullet and rent a small house up in Horio in 2010 (50 celebration!) - I would be looking at the last week in May. Now I know that on Tilos the weather can be glorious or freezing at that time of year - but as Symi is more sheltered by the Turkish coastline, I'm hoping for pleasant be-hatted walking weather....and perhaps a too-early dip in the sea. Will I be disappointed (you do realise that as the Symi Oracle, I will hold you personally responsible for anything which is not in line with my wishes! )

Gee, thanks, I am not Laskarina reborn.

Certainly a better bet than Steep Holm for weather, as you know. Here is the weather history for the last 12 years in Rhodes during the last week in May. Add another 4C for the effect of shelter by the Vigla to the South and the Datça Peninsula to the North and East.

Wunderground

Everything will be getting nice and warm by that time except the sea, which should still be pleasantly refreshing. Yes, you will probably need a sunhat and some Factor 30 when walking. Fortunately, most walks end near a taverna so you will be able to try a necessary Mythos after all that exercise.

Was it you that burned down Weston Pier?

Not me guv!!! Haven't been to Weston since December last year!

Thanks rpbristol

We know we can rely on Laskarina for good info and advice.

The Laptos Hotel looks very nice, will have to have a look at it when we are there.

Are you going back again this year ?

1st October, God, ANES Ferries and Thomas Cook permitting. Keep an eye on the two ferry company schedule websites nearer the time of your visit. They do tend to change quite often:

ANES for the Symi, Symi II, Proteus and Aegli
Dodek for the Express and Pride

At the moment, the Symi II leaves Rhodes at 7pm on Wednesdays, which is the normal day for transfers.

It looks as though Laskarina is reborn and doing transfers and guided tours

Just double checked with Mrs Kiltie and it is the 1st October we go also.
We arrive in Rhodes at about 13:35 so presumably we will be on the same ferry!

Is there anything one can do to pass the few hours between arriving in Rhodes and departing to Symi?
I know some of this time will be transfer between the airport and ferry terminal.

RP,
I do like your description of the sea temperature in May. Being an avid snorkeller I would have have described it differently!!

I always enjoy ambling around the splendid Rodos Old Town for those few hours. Taxi (20 minutes) or bus from Diagoras Airport to the Harbour, drop your bags at the cafe and walk back through The Gate into the Town. Worth a visit to the Y Pylli (the Gate) bar for a 2 litre glass of Mythos to get into the swing of things,(beware! expensive). Rhodes has so much to see that it is certainly no hardship if you miss the ferry and stay overnight.
Try the Market, visit the Indigo taverna (and the public, underground loo opposite), walk the Street of the Knights, amble around the City Walls, visit the odd shop here and there, come back next week ...

My favourite hideaway is the Mango Bar in the Old Town - tucked away from the hustle and bustle. http://www.mango.gr/internetbar.htm Every time (not so frequent now) that I'm in Rhodes I pop in for at least a drink.

Thanks for that, we should be able to pass a few hours wandering around there and having my first Mythos of the holiday

There are now two live cams to watch so that you can get into the mood. One is situated outside each of the Symi Visitor offices, one at the head of the Harbour and one on the South side.

Symi Visitor webcams here

You will be expected to dance in front of one of them to amuse people at home. Cartwheels are acceptable.

That looks quite a busy wee harbour over a 24 hour period.

I keep looking to see if I am waving on the webcam, but I can't see myself so I presume I haven't arrived yet

Well it looks like we won't be going to Symi after all.

We were booked with Olympic and flying with XL, but we have just been informed that Olympic won't be replacing the flights to Rhodes from Glasgow that were cancelled due to the collapse of XL.

We have been told we can cancel the holiday with a full refund or choose another at whatever the current holiday price is now

Graham,
Thats bad luck, there are of course numerous operators using XL flights and also the flight only websites. Hope you find something else. Symi is going to be hard to match for weather in Greece at that time of year

No, this is bad news indeed. Many of the Symi visitors use Olympic, including a few I know that are out there now. At least you have the chance to cancel/refund since you used a package, unlike those who booked flight only through XL.
Sorry that I shan't be seeing you on the SymyII ferry.

We were lucky that we booked as part of a package and we have now received all our money back from Olympic.

I have been taking a look to see what is available and there are very few flights going anywhere from Glasgow at that time now.
Mrs Kiltie has persuaded me not to book anything until the dust settles from the XL collapse, so I will wait and see what happens over the next few days or so.

I hope that somebody takes over some of the Greek routes that have been lost with the collapse of XL as this will be a huge blow to the local economies in many small Greek resorts / islands not served by the 2 large greedy conglomerates.

Hello again RP

Well flights are back on from Glasgow to Rhodes so we are again looking at going to Symi later this year.

We can book a package through Olympic holidays however we are thinking of just booking flights and doing our own thing, the following are our flight times which appear to tie in with the ferry times.

Glasgow (GLA) 22-Sep-2010 16:20 Rhodes (RHO) 22-Sep-2010 22:40

Rhodes (RHO) 06-Oct-2010 23:40 Glasgow (GLA) 07-Oct-2010 02:15

Do you have any website or contact info for private accommodation rentals on Symi?

Thanks once again
Graham

Good morning, Graham, you're up early.

The two main agencies for Symi accommodation are:
1. Symi Visitor
2. Kalodoukas

They have been going for many years and I have used both of them several times. Either will arrange taxi transfers from Diagoras airport and ferries if you wish plus transfer of bags to the chosen apartment or hotel. They will probably buy you a Mythos on the Harbourside bar by the incoming ferry to get you into the Symi spirit as quickly as possible.

I see that you have midnight flights, just as we do in May. The last evening ferry departs at 19:30 so you will catch the morning ferry, probably at c. 08:30. Ferry times in Greece are, of course, a mystery but these are fairly dependable. The two ferry companies usually manage to post their timetables at least a month before the travel dates so check them before you go.

1. ANES for the Symi, Symi II and Proteus. The Aegli hydrofoil has, sadly, gone to meet her ancestors.
2. Dodek for the Pride and Express fast catamarans

Yes, the usual mob of miscreants should be there in September. Next?

Richard.