Okay, so not content with booking one holiday - we went out yesterday and booked next year's holiday. We have booked to go to the Hotel Aris in Tolon - which so many people seem to rave about but alas I can find no reports anywhere. This was to have been our main holiday destination this year but First Choice lost their contract to Kosmar and they sent us elsewhere.

I know there must be someone out there somewhere who has stayed in this area and maybe this hotel and can give us an idea of what to expect.

Also is it recommended to hire a car or to go sightseeing on organised coach excursions and use public transport.

Any tips or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks
Chinks
(who is keeping her fingers crossed that Kosmar don't lose the contract either)

Hi

I have been to Tolon several times. I always stay at the Amarylis though so can not comment on the Aris. Tolon is very close to several interesting sites. It is easy to hire a car and there are several car hire companies in Tolon so shop around to get the best deal. At quiet times of the season they will always barter to try and get your trade. There is a fairly regular bus service into Nafplion, definitely a place to visit. You can climb the steps to the Palamidi (make sure you have water), or if you aren't feeling that energetic get a taxi up and walk down.
There are some excursions that are worth doing but on the whole I find it more interesting to go alone. That way you are not tied to times and can spend more time exploring. I trip that I usually enjoy is 'Napflion by night' it is a boat trip into Nafplion which gives enough time to have a nice meal and do a bit of shopping. There is a local booking office so you don't have to book through the reps if you don't want to. Book your own car, I found that the reps always seem to quote a higher price.
I find the locals to be very friendly and there are a number of ex pats living there who will be able to give advice if needed.
Hope you have a good time, we are going in September for 3 weeks.

Hi Chinks,

I have just booked to go to Tolon on Sunday, staying All Inclusive at the Aris. I booked the holiday with Kosmar, so they still have the contract.

I will post again when I return, with my thoughts on the hotel.

Best regards

TD

Thanks Tony, that will be greatly appreciated

Cheers
Chinks

P.S. Have a good holiday!!!

Hi Chinks
We are going to Tolo for third time in 6 weeks. It is fairly laid back place but handy as a base if ancient ruins are your thing. Handy for boat trips to islands as well. A good selection of tavernas without being over the top. No bars doing Sky Sports and only one in a footie shirt will be me. Aris is on way into town apart from that can't say any more. Try http://www.tolo-guide.gr for further info.
Enjoy your stay can't wait to go back

Hi
Try http://www.tolo-guide.gr
or http://www.holidays-uncovered.co.uk and go to Greece and islands misc.
We are going 10 July for 3rd time. Have started countdown
Keith

Multiple topics about Tolon have now been merged into this single topic, so recent posters may now find information in earlier posts which was previously overlooked.

David

Hi

We are flying out to Tolon on 11th Sept for 3 weeks

Anyone else planning to be there at that time?

Hi just found this site and answered all my questions, thanks everyone for advice on Tolo, we are off in Sept.

Especially thankyou Keith I think who replied about the Kleoni Club, which is where we are booked in.

Shame about walk up steep hill to get there I was hoping that was not true but will have to manage.

Can you park in the Hotel grounds?

We knew that Tolo was nice, my Hubby's Greek and the Greek office told him but the Hotel was what you dread getting to and finding a dump, but so far in Greece we have been lucky and just being in Greece makes up for a lot.

Many thanks to everyone.

Hi me again,

Can any recommend a good reliable Car Hire Company?

I know someone mentioned Cars, if you have any preferences.

Last year when we hired a car we priced up several types and found the best one was a small office on the way to the harbour.

It is on the left hand side pretty much opposite another larger car hire office.

We found it offered the best deal, it was about 50 euros cheaper than the office across the street for the same model of car.

Sorry I'm hopeless at remembering the names.

When in Sept are you going to be there?

We had a lovely holiday in May this year at Kleoni Club, lovely place and room was basic clean and just right, owners were very friendly and always helpful with any advice. The only thing I feel I should say is it is up a steep hill but if like us you feel like trying different ways of going back we crisscrossed different roads and it did not seem so bad. We hired a car for three days which was lucky as we had lots of rain. There are plenty of places to park round the hotel in the side street or just a bit further up the hill there is a carpark. We used Tolon as a base and found it was alot cheaper to go everywhere by car, we hired from Europcar but there are lots in town and probably worth shopping around. We did one trip through Kosmar to the island of Hydra which was lovely and on the way back we had two dolphins following us which made my day. We tried a few places to eat but I cant recommend Romvi enough which is along the front and is sooooo good. Most nights we had full meal with wine and our bill was around 20 euros. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. As we had the car we bought most of our shopping from a Lidl store which was a few miles down the road.

Hi, thank you very much to the people who replied about the Kleoni Club and the Car Hire, don't worry about the name thing I am useless at remembering them myself, we will make a nice outing to the harbour in the first few days, very much appreciated.

Even though my Hubby being Greek obviously speaks the language, it is nice to be able to go somewhere new and have a good idea of what you will meet.

Although we found some things out from the People in his Greek Office they could not tell us about the Hotel, Car Hire and only the restaurants by reputation, so I found this Website and everyone comments really great.

Always look forward to going to Greece, but going to a new place always a bit worrying, thanks to everyones advices here, just look forward to getting there.

Thanks again, let you know how it went. BFN Lyn

We have just returned from Tolon staying at Esperia hotel with First Choice holidays.

A very good trip with no problems with flights or transfers.
Esperia is probably the best package tour hotel we have stayed at.
A/C is included at no extra charge and needed to keep out mosquitos and motorbike noise.
Only problems are matresses are too firm for comfort (though staff were able to provide a roll away mattress as a matress topper for my wife). Hotel is wheelchair accessible except for the restaurant (three steps).

Resort has beautiful location on the bay but town has no real charm or attractions so not on our list for a repeat visit.

We found several good restaurants:

• Marias - beautiful view over bay (near S bend)
• Chez Gilles - worth seeing cartoons in menu (near Esperia)
• Lemon tree (near harbour) for special meal, has lift to top deck

Glad to hear Marias is still going strong. the main attraction to me of Tolon is the huge variety of excursions you can do from there. I would agree that it is not the most picturesque of places.

Had one of our best holidays 2 weeks in May staying in Gialova in the Messinia (west) region of the Peloponese. Started to research for next year and fancied over at the east side. Has anyone got any ideas for where to stay? We like quite a quiet area - and like having nice places for day trips. If anyone needs any advice about the Pylos area then let me know. It was fantastic there. The real Greece I would say. I was in tears when we left to come home. Sob Sob.

Just back from Tolo. Loved every minute except transfer from Kalamata.
As in my previous posts resort and Amaryllis Apatments just perfect.
Don't go to Tolo if you want authentic "Greek" resort with nothing there.
Don't go if you want English pubs, Sky Sports Football and all night discos.
It is not picturesque or even pretty.
Having said all that it is a tourist town but for all nations but not over done.
It is laid back for easy going quiet days but comes to life for the evenings.
There is a wide selection of tavernas, grills etc and even 2 discos. Also a couple of lively bars.
Enough to keep you busy without being overpowered as in some resorts. As alredy mentioned it is a good base to explore 5 or 6 ancient sites and Athens at a push. Also handy got boat trips to Hydra Spetes and Agina from Tolo's own harbour

Seven of us are going to Kleoni Club in Tolon in August just wondered if anybody has been there this year???

Kalamera!

Andrea, how did you find the Kleoni? I'm considering it for next year.

Or has anyone else been there. the pics look lovely, but I'm concerned that it's up a steep hill