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A friendly well run hotel with fantastic views of the bay beyond. Run by an Australian Greek family for whom nothing is too much trouble. Has an internet cafe as well.
Blue Bay Hotel
Skala
Patmos
Many Greek philosophers lived on Samos, among them Pythagoras.
But Samos has a lot to offer to the visitor beyond the historical past of the island. Nice beaches, the excellent wine of Samos and opportunities for day trips and shopping in Turkey.
If you stay in Mykonos, make a day trip to the island of Delos. According the Greek mythology the island was the birthplace of Artemis and Apollo.
Many historic temples, monuments and sites are here, such as the Lions Terrace with the famous statues of the lions, and the House of the Dolphins with amazing mosaics.
One of the best beaches on Skiathos is Koukounaries but the island has many other beaches to enjoy swimming and sunbathing like Asellinos beach, Banana beach, Kechria and Vromolimnos.
The beaches of Agia Paraskevi and Troulos are ideal for families.
www.in2greece.com/english/places/summer/islands/skiathos.htm
There are many ferries and high speed boats departing from Rafina to Mykonos daily. The journey is faster than taking the ferry from Piraeus.
Buses to Rafina from Athens depart at Pedion Areos at the junction of Patision and Alexandras avenue every half hour.
www.hellenicseaways.gr
www.bluestarferries.gr
www.in2greece.com/blog/2007/06/greek-ferries-information-and-ferry.html
I recommend Ikion hotel because it is a small, family hotel in a very beautiful and peaceful location near the harbor and the centre of the town.
It is nice, comfortable and very clean.
The people of Ikion are very friendly.
Ikion Hotel
Kavos, Pattiri,
Alonissos
Greece
37005
www.ikion.com
+30 24240 66360
Patitiri harbor
Skiathos Airport
Portara is a landmark and one of the main historic site of Naxos. You can see it entering the port of Naxos.
In antiquity it used to be a temple dedicated to Apollo. Amazing sunsets can be photographed from here.
Ios is one of the most popular party islands of Greece. Well known from the early seventies to young backpackers from all over the world. Ios located in the Cyclades about 21 miles south of Santorini, you can go there by ferry from Piraeus or from Mykonos, Paros or Naxos. Ios has many sandy beaches and Mylopotas is one of the best. There is also a nude beach in Koumpara. There are plenty of modern hotels, apartments and rooms to let. Being a party island, Ios has numerous restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs and a wild nighlife.
www.thegreektravel.com/ios/index.html
www.in2greece.com/english/places/summer/islands/ios.htm
www.greekisland.co.uk/ios/ios.htm
A little off the beaten track of lanes in the town but worth finding. Interesting and varied menu (especially compared to a lot of that on offer elsewhere in town) and very reasonably priced.
Staff delightful, very friendly and helpful. After your meal the bar is a fun relaxed place to continue an evening.
From the port follow Matoyianni street and where you see Nautica (restaurant) on the corner, turn left into the lane.
ph 2289026217
At Grigos there is a rock about 10 metres high. Around this rock there are foundations of an ancient temple. This seems to imply that during the ancient times the rock had some religion significance. The beach of Grigos is beautiful for swimming but so also are the nearby beaches of Psili Ammos and Diakofti. Kampos is around 11 km north of Patmos town.
One of the most visited areas of Athens; old bookshops; Greek art shops; rags and bones; old DVDs and CDs and bursting with tourist and locals all year.
At the end of Athinas and Andrianou street ,metro station Monastiraki or Thission
www.athensguide.org/ravel-to-athens.html
Now that the British youth culture has moved out of Faliraki and on to other unfortunate places, Faliraki is re-establishing itself as a cosmopolitan beach resort for all age groups.
Its multitude of scenic locations, St. Apostolos, Profit Amon, St. Sophia, lend themselves for weddings, whilst the recently renovated Kallithea Spa is becoming the hot venue for tying the knot in 2007.
This is one of my most favourite beaches in the world. A long stretch of lovely white sand, little cantinas dotted along the beach and clear, warm sea. Great for snorkling around the rocks.
After a strenuous day relaxing try the Panorama restaurant, a 5 minute drive away. Enjoy their authentic, fresh food (cheesy flowers a must) sitting under vines with a view of the beach.
They also have loads of huge dried gourds hanging everywhere and squid stretched out to dry. The waiters are great and the service excellent.
Tsampika beach is on the east coast roughly half way between Rhodes Town and Lindos.
To get to The Panorama, turn left out of the beach entrance, drive up the hill, it's on the left-hand side, and has a gravelled parking area out front.
This is a coffee shop that serves excellent coffee and the best cakes on the island. The cakes range from traditional Greek to chocolate cakes covered in chocolate!
It's heaven for cake lovers!
There's one in Rhodes Town about a 2minute walk from the bus station, down the road from Mothercare. There's also a branch on the main street in Pefkos.
Melani is a glass bottom boat that offers tours from Lindos. Great trips, great prices, friendly crew.
On the main beach from the pontoon - its called the Melani.
Here's a photo: www.erosweddings.co.uk/html/services/boat.htm
If you are going on a day out, head for the hills and the stunning Hotel Elafos on Profitis Ilias Mountain. The drive there is beautiful through little villages and olive groves. The hotel is completely unique, set deep in the woods and a great location for walkers.
Orginially built as a HQ for Mussolini it has been restored by local craftsmen and offers a complete change from the beach.
You can have lunch (food is excellent), stay the night or even get married here - there's even a childrens play area. It's relaxing, peaceful and well worth the visit.
The drive is about an hour from Rhodes Town or Lindos.
You'll listen to good music, enjoy free tapas with your drinks and mingle with interesting young crowds in a place that is packed every single night (avoid Saturdays).
The food in the small restaurant room is also lovely.
44 Triptolemou St.
Gazi
+30 210 3471844
Small fishing town that has one or two hotels, great bakers, butchers and several brilliant tavernas either on the beach or overlooking it.
Bit busy in the centre (though not in a Costa del Sol-type way), quiet places to stay on the edges of the village or inland towards Armeni. Really friendly people that make you more than welcome. Enough to do nearby without having to explore - though amazing archaelogical sites nearby.
www.meltemi-travel.co.uk
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalives
nearest airport is Chania.
nearest port is Souda.
A cosy jazz 'museum' in the posh area of Kolonaki.
Enjoy vintage jazz in an appropriately smoky environment and have a philosophical chat with Costas the legendary owner.
Avoid telling him that you prefer modern jazz (that's anything after bebop!), he may ask you to leave his bar!
4 Deinokratous st (oposite St George Lycabetus Hotel)
Kolonaki
210-7258362
Melenio cafe is a great place in the centre of Oia. It is on a little terrace and has the best views over Santorini. Very different to the rest of the restaurants/cafes in the village, very relaxed with amazing cakes and fresh juices.
Oia hostel is a great, clean and cheap place to stay (and Santorini certainly isn't cheap). It's very un-hostel like in a positive way and in an excellent location.
Ammoudi port is the best place for a swim in Oia; however the climb back up to the village is pure torture. It is a rocky cove with the clearest water I have ever seen, but space is limited so get there early.
Visiting vineyards is a must, especially as most have small restaurants attached.
Also, Atlantis Books is a rare find of a bookshop anywhere in the world. It is in Oia centre and must be visited, international literature, and the shop is a delight.
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