hi all, we are returning to our beloved zante after a 2 year break for a fortnight in september. what's everyones observations on changes so far this year? is the rubbish euro rate affecting your enjoyment? have prices risen noticably or are they still much more favourable than other areas of europe? has the new departure lounge at the airport made a positive difference? your thoughts please!...

got back a fortnight ago, cant comment on prices relating to Zakinthos but compared to other greek we went to last year the daily Evro prices were very similar it just the poor exchange rate that hit us

not from choice we are going back 5th oct tried to book a greek holday but could not getsensible flights from any local airports for sept/oct so a trip to man T2 for our flights [last 4 seats on that one too]

wizard

i love zante so i don't let the airport bother me as it's such a small part of the 2 weeks

I feel exactly the same. I keep saying every year that I am going to go somewhere different, I sit for hours on the net and always end up booking Zante. I did go to Kefalonia one year instead and had a terrible holiday (that'll teach me )

Lyn, I'm like you with the airport what you can and can't take, the rules change so often its hard to flamming keep up.

I'm off to Zante for two weeks in August, I'm really looking forward to it, taking my granddaughter on her first holiday abroad
Sarah

Just got back from Zante, departure terminal fine, very nice actually. Toilets clean and fresh, if you want a drink buy it in duty free as the cafe charges are daylight robbery!

Thanks for the update, its certainly good to know the airport is running smoothly.

Sarah

we were there a couple of years ago and it was ok - only down side is that we were caught in an earthquake believe it or not - got everyone talking though.

I can also remember the spiral staircase, i covered my mouth, it was vile, and it didnt help a 15 hour delay with thomas cook, plus we hated Zante. Never Again.

I have been investigating Zante for a holiday and like the look of Alykes; particularly the Asteria Hotel (NOT to be confused with Astoria). I can't seem to find any reviews of this and wondered whether anyone had any helpful advice?! I was hoping for somewhere with some nice restaurants and bars with some entertainment but not too loud. Sandy beaches are also a must! The possibility of water sports would also be great. Looking to go mid-August.

To say the cafe in departures is daylight robbery is not exaggeration! €4 for a cup of coffee in a plastic cup that tasted like p**s! Considering everything else on the island is so resonable I was astounded! Glad the flight was on time and did not have to spend too long there!

I am just back from Alykes and it is truly beautiful!

This was our second trip and we stayed in the neigbouring town of Alykanas last time, its a 25 minute walk along the beach away from Alykes and has a nice selection of restaurants and bars as does Alykes.

Can't comment on the hotel but if you don't mind a walk we stayed in the Soula Studios in Alykes and the Plessas Palace in Alykanas both very nice places - but basic, saying that, all we need is a kettle and somewhere to sleep with a roof over our heads so we don't care about that sort of thing. If people want posh hotels they should not go to Greece!

One thing that surprised the friends we went with this time is the lack of decent plumbing, because of this you cannot fluch toilet paper down the loo and no matter what you do in there, you have to put it into a bin which is supplied and usually cleaned once a day. Its not as gross as you might think and you soon get used to it.

I would also recommend a trip on the Trainaki, its a little tour train which takes you around the 2 resorts and into the mountain village of Pelenaki where there is a folk museum and a taverna, Avril the tour guide really is lovely and it is a good way to while away a few hours on a hot day.

The beaches in Alykes are some of the best on the Island and well worth spending your days at, however, if you prefer pools, then the Soula Studios where we stayed has the biggest and deppest pool on the island and anyone can use it (if you go, find the guy who runs the bar Peter and his granddaughter Levi and tell them Louis and Elaine and Seran say hi)... the place is run by a Greek/Canadian guy called Jimmy who is lovely (though he is a bit of a penny pincher but I suppose everyone has to make a living).

Water sports in Alykes are not as good as in Alykanas so I would advise heading there for the day if that is what you are after.

At this point we have done everything you can do in Zante including a trip to A&E with a broken toe so please feel free to PM me if you would like any more advice or help ok?

Have fun!

We are just back and I am happy to report that the airport departures has been rebuilt and you no longer have to queue outside in the boiling sun!

We were early for our check in and sat at the coffee shop until our desk opened (very expensive), we then checked in with no problems (we were overweight luggage-wise and weren't stopped or charged and my friend bought a plastic BB gun which went through x-ray and passed with no problem as well).

If you smoke, don't worry, you can smoke airside unlike in our airports and there is a coffee shop and a duty free area (again the coffee shop is a total rip off but you do get fed on the plane so hang on!).

Anyway, its not as bad as it was when we were there 2 years ago so just wanted to let you know.

http://www.alykes.com/hotels/asteria-hotel/index.php

Here a link that might help, it looks nice

Lynn

leavin zante airport is a nightmare you lineup outside under plastic shelters for an hour then you check in then go back outside stand in the heat for an hour cant sit any one lounge for 5/6depatin areoplanes

MG62 is this the old airport terminal you are talking about?

New terminal is open now, there was no queueing outside when we came home.

Lynn

We are off to beautiful Tsilivi again this year and are staying for the first time at the Hotel Petros. We are also thinking of booking the morning speedboat trip and the Jeep Safari Any tips re who to book with and location re hotel to beach etc would be great.

Thank you for your advice. The website you suggested was the one I had found about the hotel, but I was after some reviews if possible.

Hi
We returned from Zante airport this week. There was no queuing outside like it used to be. You queue and check inside now. Much better than it used to be
There were still only a few check in desks and two scanners for your luggage, so it took quite a while to get through, but Thomson were quite organised,so it was okay.

M

Zante airport is a lot better now for departures , there is still not many seats in the lounge bit but more than old departures and the toliets well lets say they are a 100% better came home thursday and it was massive improvement

only problem about departures is it means you are coming home

Hi am looking to book for Zante next year as have been a couple of times before to Kalamaki and loved it. Wanted to try anther resort next year tho - earlier on in the year i was checking out apartments in Tsivilli and Argass and noticed some studio/apartments owned by some english brothers that were named after them (something like andy and bob i think). Does anyone know which resort they are in and the proper names please and also - if anyone has been there are they any good! Any input greatly appreciated

Ooh and whilst i think about it, who is the best to book for flights cos it seems a lot more costly to book flights to greece than it does to spain! ta again