Greek Islands - Which one?

Saint Sonner

Myself and my wife (30 or so) are going to Greece - Thesoloniki to visit a family member. We've never been to Greece for a holiday so we thought we would head to one of the greek islands for a holiday after we spend a few days with the family.

Did some reserch on them but couldn't decide. Anyone any experience?

What we're after is sun sea and nice beach. Whilst we are no longer the partiers we once here we would like something lively too e.g. good pubs and restaurants but obviously not too mad.

scudzilla

Been to quite a few of the islands, Zakynthos is far and away my fav, been there quite a bit, here's an old post of mine, any Q's just ask

scudzilla wrote: »

We got married in Zakynthos last sept and are going back in Sept, it's an awesome place. We stay in Kalamaki, awesome beach, some great bars and restaurants but not too busy, if you want all the mad stuff then Laganas is only a 7 euro taxi ride away

Only problem is since Budget travel went tits up there's only 1 flight a week goin to the island.

With Sunworld it was 499 return, or a single (just going out) was 150.

We booked the single, and are returning with Easyjet to gatwick, hotel the night at gatwick, then aer lingus back the following day, all in all around 320 return each, incl hotel in gatwick.

Here's a few pics of the Island that i took last year, the water really is that blue!!

A great thing about Zante is that it's a nesting place of the loggerhead turtles, 2 years ago i was snorkelling in the bay and a turtle was 15ft away from me, that was awesome

Another good point about Zante is that Kefalonia is the next island, it's a 45 min ferry away, or a 10 min plane ride, ya could shoot across for 3/4 days like we're planning in sept.

If you're interested i can give you the details of the studios i use, they're the best i've ever been to, a family run place with an awesome restaurant attached to it

We spent a day snorkelling here at pic below









This boat is on the trip to the blue caves, it pulls up and lets ya swim for 45 mins or so, the snorkelling is deadly :D

Saint Sonner

That looks amazing - thanks. 
What are the prices like for food and drink?

scudzilla

Saint Sonner wrote: »

That looks amazing - thanks. 
What are the prices like for food and drink?

VERY good, you can get a full english breakfast with tea/coffe, juice and toast for under a fiver, pint is anywhere between 2-3euro, that's Mythos, you'd paya fortune (6euro) for a pint of imported stuff (guinness etc)

Generally a 3 course meal for 2 including wine you'd get a good chunk of change from 50euro

Saint Sonner

scudzilla wrote: »

Saint Sonner wrote: »

That looks amazing - thanks. 
What are the prices like for food and drink?

VERY good, you can get a full english breakfast with tea/coffe, juice and toast for under a fiver, pint is anywhere between 2-3euro, that's Mythos, you'd paya  fortune (6euro) for a pint of imported stuff (guinness etc)

Generally a 3 course meal for 2 including wine you'd get a good chunk of change from 50euro

Sounds great - was getting excited there but just realised - There are no direct flights from Thessloniki and indirect ones are pretty expensive!

amber2

Don't really need flights you can use ferries Hydrofoil or catamaran between islands, have used Hellas ferries but there are many ferry companies to choose from there.

Saint Sonner

Thanks for the idea howevre looks like a bit of a trek from Thes to Zante by car/ferry.
I wonder what would be the best in terms of the below as they seem the handiest to get to:
Mykonos
Crete
Corfu

Layinghen

Highly recommend Crete. It is a large island so plenty to explore. The main tourist areas are in the north of the island, but the south of the island is gorgeous as well. Plenty of beaches, lots of history and stunning scenery I think it is an island that has something for everybody.

SeamusG97

scudzilla wrote: »

Been to quite a few of the islands, Zakynthos is far and away my fav, been there quite a bit, here's an old post of mine, any Q's just ask

It is a lovely island and plenty to see if you wanted to rent a jeep to drive around and explore. The Ionian sea is as calm as a millpond in the mornings and a delight to swim in. We were there when Greece won the Euros in 2004 and the place went absolutely mental for a full night and a day. One thing about it is that there isn't much in the way of classical Greek architecture as it was flattened in an earthquake about fifty years ago. Seemed to be popular with couples and young families and lacking the wild carry on that you might see elsewhere.

Saint Sonner

Someone just threw a curve ball at me as i said i was staying in Thesolonki for a couple of nights that if i moved on to Halkidiki.

Anyone have any thoughts on this place?