We went to Katelios for a night out at one of their fish restaurants on the beach. It's only small but seemed ok. Restaurant was beautiful

Started off 22 years ago in Corfu then it was 8/10 but went in 2005 and sorry Corfu you've dropped to 5/10 and got more expensive.
Tried larger places but prefer small and more Greek now.
Favs have to be
Lipsi 11/10
Halki 12/10, Yes 12 out of ten (sorry Elenitsa I didn't find it weird at all)
Symi 10/10
Stoupa 7/10
Chrani 5/10
Paralio Astra 6/10
Spetese (long time ago) 9/10
Horton in the Pelion 8/10
Crete Georgeopolis 6/10 Paleochora 7/10
Plenty of overnight trips and day trips but I don't think you can give a proper rating on a fleeting visit I remember going to Symi on a day visit from Rhodes and said I wouldn't give it house room. I was so wrong but it is getting expensive now.
Trying Telendos this year and Myrtos on south east Crete.

Starting to lose count! Started off in Athens (by coach 28 years ago), then went to Mykonos, Corfu followed, then Crete (twice). Had a bit of a break then, but headed back to Kefalonia - 3 times (love the place, going again in May). Then did Symi, Leros (fabulous) Lesvos, Thassos, Skiathos (twice) Megannissi (where??) Rhodes, Skopelos, Paxos, Samos (twice - scary landing but worth it), Kalymnos, Stoupa, Kos (twice), Nisyros, Ithika. Going to Finikounda this August.

Corfu, Aghios Georgios South, 20 years ago for 2 months, fantastic beach 9/10
Corfu, Kassiopi, bit too commercialised for us 7/10
Parga, several times, love it 10/10
Stoupa, several times, love it 10/10, going back this summer
Paxos, Lakka, lovely, just wish they had sandy beaches and less sea urchins! 9/10
Paxos, Gaios, same as for Lakka, 9/10
Zakynthos, Vassilikos in October, too quiet for us 5/10
Thassos, Skala Potamias, good beach 8/10
Nidri, Lefkas 9/10, going back this summer
Rhodes, Pefkos, great restaurants 8/10
Halki, too quiet for us 5/10
Santorini, Perissa, thought it was rundown and shabby with poor restaurants 4/10
Lesbos, Skala Eressos, great beach and good restaurants but too many women around 7/10

Skiathos 2 times 8/10 good access and beaches
Alonisoss Scopoles 8/10
Corfu Arillas 2 times 1st time 8/10 2nd 6/10 touristy
Stoupa many years ago 10/10
Monovassia area 9/10
Kos Masthari 8/10 very friendly
Crete many times
Chania and area 9/10 beautiful scenery
Iraklio and malia 6/10 too busy
Palihora and samaria area 10/10 stunning
Platias/Matala and area 10/10 away from it
Agios Nik and area 7/10 barren
Rhodes 8/10 very expensive
Kephalonia 9/10 very green
Ithika 10/10 peaceful
Lefkada 8/10 peaceful { not nidri }
Parga 10/10 lively
Santorini 8/10 stunning scenery very busy
Naxos 10/10 great beaches
Halkidiki Kassandra polichrono 5/10 very touristy
Sithonia Toroni 10/10 very peaceful
Lesvos Anaxos 10/10 friendliest place i have stayed + very beautiful island
Thassos 9/10 lovely hidden beaches
Samothraki 12/10 barren but stunning 1 fantastic beach very few tourists
Also done inland greece
Prespa lakes 10/10 very tranquil
Metiora 12/10 stunning and unreal
Vikos gorge 12/10 absolutely stunning out of this world scenery
worlds deepest canyon { not biggest }
I have also been on many day trips as well

GREECE as a whole EXCELLENT

Corfu - Kontokali 16 years ago, we loved it as it was a very small resort and ideally situated for exploring the rest of the island which we did, Paleokastritsa was our favourite spot. 8/10

Kos - Kardamena last June we really enjoyed it although i wouldn't say it was a particularly pretty island and the accomodation was really basic but it had a nice beach a good selection of bars and eateries and enjoyable excursions to Kalymnos and other islands who's names have slipped my mind, well i did have a few ouzos with the skipper below deck, it is definately an island to keep you feeling young 7/10

Skiathos - Agia Paraskevi last September, great accomodation Marialena Village, beautiful island with great beaches and an excellent bus service, we had poor weather the 1st week (never saw the sun for the first 4 days) and i was struck down with severe food poisoning from day 8 onwards but for the sheer beauty of its beaches i will give it 7/10

Thassos - Thassos Town going in June.

Been to Cyprus a few times but it never has the feel of the islands to me although we've enjoyed our times in Paphos but i don't feel its fare to mark it down as a Greek Island in the true sense.

Corfu - 0/10 some dumpy 'luxury' resort in the middle of nowhere in a hotel that ought to be have been closed down for Health & Safety reasons......whole place unfriendly and unsanitary.

Would never ever go to Greece again, unless forced to with work, and my poor experience was 7 years ago now!

Skiathos - Honeymooned there 15 years ago and would definately go back 9/10
Crete (Ierapetra) 6/10 Nice and peaceful and not over touristy but there are prettier places and nicer beaches to visit.

Shell

Faliraki 1988 was a 7 out of 10, what happened in subsequent years was a travesty

Intermittent holidays (1989 - 1997) to Turkey & Spain averaged out at 6 out of 10

Faliraki 1998 was a 3 out of 10 (name now changed to Fairly Crappy), Greek businessmen, and who blames them, sold out to the demands of the worst of British youth

Zante 1999 (Kalimaki) was 8 out of 10

Zante 2000 (Kalimaki) was 8 out of 10

Zante 2001 (Alykanas) was 8 out of 10

Skiathos 2002 (Ag Perskevi) was 6 out of 10

Santorini 2002 (Perissa) was 7 out of 10

Spain 2003 (Majorca Porta Pollensa) Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh

Zante 2003 (Kalimaki) was 6 out of 10, quickly becoming an Annex to Laganas

Crete (Georgioupolis) 2004 was 9 out of 10

Crete (Gouves) 2004 was 5 out of 10

Turkey 2005 (Hisaronu) ........................ Tacky or what

Crete 2006 (Georgioupolis) cant wait

In all honesty all resorts are changing wth the enhancement of commercial awareness, I just hope that there remains those resorts which cater for the youth who take some form of perverse gratification from entering daily vomiting contests and resorts that cater for those who are a touch more intelligent. Then again what I like is not necessarily what anyone else likes! Great post, whoever started it off.

Went to Zante in 16th October 05 first time at Greece. Majority of shops and bars were closed and closing down nearing to the end of season. Would not go back, due to earthquakes whilst there. Frightened me to death.
Putting the earthquakes to one side though, did not think much of Zante 4/10

To be fair Kazee, a holiday anywhere in Greece in mid October will have its drawbacks. October is usually a case of resorts at 50% capacity, weather still good but a reasonably good chance of no notice showers every few days, bar/taverna owners and managers have to strike the balance between the massively reduced numbers of tourists and maintaining their diversified tourist business and their other jobs such as farming, building etc.

Having said all that there are many who do prefer the months of May and October as the best time to go to Greece. I once took a late deal to Alykanas (Zante), for 14 nights in mid October and loved it, raining on arrival, rained on departure, but the 12 days in between were beautifull! A handful of bars were open as were several Tavernas, the place was closing down but hey, that is the quirky, quaintness and beauty of Greece, of course there is always Benidorm were one can eat an all day breakfast all year round, shop to you drop for 20 hours a day, eat "proper food" (Sunday Roast and chips), be amongst thousands of other individuals with similar tastes, play Bingo, drink John Smiths Bitter and wear a football shirt just like everyone else.

Earthquakes apart (to be fair everyone knows the Ionian Islands are the earthquake centre of Europe ........................... dont they?) I am interested to know what especially didnt you like about Zante, apart from the majority of shops and bars being closed? Was it the weather, food, people, environment, cleanliness, stunning beauty of the Island, airport, fellow tourists, prices generally, the bus service, your Travel Company, the Taxis, hire cars, quality of Hotel, quality of Studios, quality of Pension, Excursions on offer, quality of Apartment, the beach (too sandy or not sandy enough), the sea (too cold or too warm or too salty), toilet arrangements, the shops that were open (poor quality goods, salesperson not good, too expensive etc), the bars that were open (too pricey, bad drinks, bad service etc), the roads (poorly sign posted, poor quality etc), pedestrian facilities (poor, not enough etc), entertainment (not enough choice, poor quality etc) or was it something to do with the resort of Kalamaki, Laganas, Vasilikos Peninsula, Argassi, Tsilivi, Alykes, Alykanas etc?

Craven

ok, ok, ok I get your point. We stayed at Laganas, it was not very clean, rubbish and debris about in the roads yuk
Don't get me wrong the food was wonderful, but the restaurants were very few and far between.

As for the beach it was small and empty.

To be fair as already stated it was our first time in Greece, I was reluctant to go hence, booked only a week to 'check things out'.
Greece accomodation appeared very basic all around. I like comforts .

Weather was good, it went overcast mid afternoon but came home with a wonderful tan.

Probably in my opinion it lacked atmosphere, before you say anything I know it was mid october but the Greek people were friendly.

As for the earthquakes the tremors were bad enough but we did have a earthquake which hit the rictor scale of 6.5

I would not go back to Laganas but may try elsewhere as you stated the scenery was fantastic.

kind regards
kazee

Kazee,

Laganas eh, the 18 - 30's haven, not a sound choice in high season let alone mid October, probably like going to Old Trafford at midnight in June expecting to see a Premiership fixture!

The chances of having luxury accommodation in Greece (unless its a specific requirement) on a package is nil, most going to Greece expecting only a little comfort, some quaintness and the quirky!

Well, "the weather was good" then.

Of course Laganas lacked atmosphere, it was mid October and the worst of the youth of UK were back in the factories saving for their next drinking and vomiting marathon! Although, having said that, I am not sure that the atmosphere of Laganas in high season is so sought after by the discerning traveller or someone having passed the 40 year mark!

I think you miss my point on the earthquakes, the Ionian Islands are the earthquake capital of Europe, I was surprised you didnt know that before you travelled, most people do! But if you genuinely didnt know about the earthquakes/tremors I apologise.

Very few travellers to Zante, Corfu, Kefalonia etc have not experienced the odd tremor or two and to be honest they expect them!

I still find it hard to accept that you vote Zante 4 out of 10 having visited only Laganas and commented that you "did not think much of Zante", very much like a visitor to the UK saying I dont think much of the UK having spent a week in either Salford, Wolverhampton or Bradford!.

Like most holiday makers who are probably more familiar with the Costas and have a preference for packed beaches, real English breakfasts, Bingo, musical duos such as Chaz and Dave in the evenings, a vast array of football shirts, Spandau Duran CD's playing in the restaurants and real John Smiths bitter, Greece may take some getting used to. Best to be open minded, try the local entertainment and get out and about, even the public transport is worth a try. Greece has so much to offer that Spain, Turkey, the Algarve and I hate to say it ..................... that 4 letter word Bulgaria cannot. Go on, give Greece another try, do a little research beforehand and avoid areas like Laganas, Kavos, Faliraki, etc!

I see you have visited Turkey (Olu Deniz) and speak well of it, I too have visited Olu Deniz and Hisaronu and quite liked the area. However, the brochure description of a sand and pebble beach (where one is forbidden via a bye law from bringing your own food and drinks) which in reality is best described as scalpings and builders aggregate as there is no sand to speak of, but there are plenty of day trip boats at anchor emmitting human effluent, is hardly comparible to the clean sandy beach of Laganas and Kalimaki, despite the latter being "empty". And Laganas beach "small", its several kilometres long and, if its "empty" as you said previously, does it matter that its "small"?

What I would give for an empty beach sometimes!

I found the east part of Hisaronu dirty and Ovacik like Beruit but I would not dream of scoring Turkey as a whole 4 out of 10 because of the state of these resorts.

Kazee, please dont get me wrong as my intent with the response post was not to have a go. Going to Greece is a little more than booking via TELETEXT or popping into the Travel Agent as might be the case for the Costas. Researching the holiday is vital and necessary if you are not to be dissapointed, age of kids, whether you are a lone traveller, a family group or just 2 adults are all factors which may determine which resort you opt for. Laganas for 40 year olds as first timers to Greece was bound to dissapoint, I personally would have preffered to eat my own head than choose Laganas when there was so much to choose from elsewhere in Greece, perhaps you were badly advised.

Anyway, holidays eh, its a case of "horses for courses", what you may like someone else may not and vica verca.

Hi Craven

I echo your response 'horses for courses'. However, we did book Laganas on good solid advice. Yep, I have to accept that even though we read up in the brochures about Laganas (which I would not even contemplate visiting in summer ) I was not aware of the tremors/quakes.

Has you have already stipulated you have noticed I praise Turkey, I also like and enjoy the costas very much. Possibly for the nice beach in Benidorm, the football shirts bingo etc.

I have visited Cyprus and that is superb, the surrounding scenery, food etc etc.

I apologise if you feel I have rated Laganas unfairly however, this is purely my humble opinion.

I may visit Greece again, but agreed with me the accomodation is basic, I do not do basic.

Kind regards
Kazee

Can I just say that I feel Kazee has been shot down here for having an opinion on a place that wasn't to their liking I hope it doesn't put other members off posting in this thread for fear of being Questioned in what I would say as quite an over the top manner as to why they dislike a place, each to their own!

Shell

Me too. She was only expressing an opinion. Never fancied Zante myself. We can't all like the same places. Some people have given places 2/10 with no comeback. To get 2 huge posts in such an interogative manner with implications of being a Benidorm swilling beer drinker seems a bit much.

She has been so helpful to me in the Turkey Forum I hope she doesn't stop posting I was finding her info so useful as I'm sure were others.

PLEASE keep it friendly All members are entitled to have an opinion without
getting slated because of their views

wizard

Just like to speak up in favour of Zante. I love all the Greek Islands that I have been fortunate enough to visit. As anywhere, you can't judge a country (or indeed an island) on a visit to one resort. There are good and bad everywhere. I don't think I'd pick Laganas myself but I really liked Kalamaki when we were there a few years ago. There is some beautiful scenery on the island and the weather in the most part is gorgeous.

If you don't like "basic" Greece isn't for you. Basic isn't "dirty". I'd sacrifice "luxury" any day for "romantic" which the islands certainly are.

My ideal holiday - quaint typical greek island resort. Clean beach. Restaurant overlooking turquoise waters - moussaka, ouzo, greek music and good company. oh and Sun, Sun, Sun of course. Bliss! Roll on!

Hi Kazee, please consider giving Greece another try, I think you're really missing out if you base your opinion on Greece on Laganas in October.
If you prefer accommodation that's a bit more 'comfortable' have a look at Direct Greece, Greek Options, Tapestry Holidays or Laskerina - all of these companies have fantastic accommodation in really lovely resorts. A bit more pricey than your usual package but I think you'd find it's worth it.