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Amfliki is near the Health Centre, stunning views and great food, followed on by homemade cherry brandy!
Asprolithos is at the top end of Papadiamante Street, right turn after the cobbles. Not a good view but free ouzo to start with and a free sweet. We had 2 courses each plus wine, about £25. Nice toilets too.
Amfiliki is opposite the Health Centre; tel: (+30) 2427 022 839;
Nearest bus stop: no. 4, Acropolis;
www.in2greece.com/skiathos/amfiliki.htm
Asprolithos: Mavroyiali and Korai (up Papadiamandis a block past the high school, then turn right);
tel: 24270/21-016; closed late Oct to mid-Mar
Take the bus from the main town of Fira to Imerovigli (about a 5 minute ride). Then walk along the rim of the caldera - it's about a 2-3 hour walk with spectacular views of the caldera the whole way. Ia is a great place too, and you can catch the bus from there back to Fira.
The bus station in Fira is located just south of Platia Theotokopoulou. The path from Imerovigli is clearly marked all the way to Ia.
Get some culture and go to this museum, situated close to Mykonos Town. It is very old and contains a lot of interesting artefacts from not only Mykonos, but all over the Cyclades group of islands. Some of the artefacts are relief carvings from the fall of Troy as well as the renowned black and red vases from the 5th century BC. When we visited in 2005 the admission was 2 euros for adults and free for children and students
In the large white building, on the hill above the road that runs between the port and the town of Mykonos
tel: +30 22890 22325;
www.culture.gr/2/21/211/21121m/e211um06.html
Travel around the Greek Islands is usually by ferry or seajet (fast ferry) but if you are travelling to Mykonos from Athens you can avoid all the hassles of getting to the port of Athens and then taking the slow trip to Mykonos by flying. The train from central Athens goes to the airport (as do most hotel buses, along the new freeway), which avoids the problem of getting to the port. The flight from Athens is around 30mins on an Olympic Airways TurboProp plane. The fastest ferry takes much longer and is subject to weather conditions. Avoid the stress and the need for sea legs.
Olympic Airlines and Aegean Airlines both fly from Athens;
www.olympicairlines.com;
www.aegeanair.com
Taverna Alonia is a really friendly restaurant, with great food. Every year I meet so many people there who have returned to the island again, and seem to spend every night of their holiday in Alonia.
Molyvos, North Lesbos;
tel: 22530 71355
A rocky island rearing out of the Aegean, a short boat ride and a world away from Santorini and Mykonos. Hora is the picture-perfect sugar cube Cycladic capital of Folegandros, all narrow alleys and painted balconies, clinging precariously to the edge of the cliff.
Friendly, laid-back and well off the beaten track, Folegandros also boasts some great secluded beaches, though you may need to do some mountain-goat style scrambling to reach them. Not sure why I'm sharing this tip, actually ... shush, don't tell!
Regular ferry services operate from Santorini, the journey takes around 1 and a half hours.
If you happen to be around on August 15th expect to see organised bedlam as 10,000 visitors descend on the island for the festival of the Virgin Mary.
Otherwise, pilgrms to the shrine in the main port town are the main visitors and the rest of the island is quiet and inviting.
Surprisingly high quality psarotaverna (fish taverna) in a pleasant, small seaside village just on and just off the tourist trail.
On the right overlooking the sea just after coming in to Nas from Armenistis;
tel: 22750 71489;
email: annanas@sam.forthnet.gr
I had the pleasure of visiting in 2002. For nearly two weeks we partied from dawn to dusk on the beaches, enjoying the stunning views and liberating music. From its psy/goatrance roots, the festival has branched out to offer reggae, world music and many other genres. And when you're partied out, you're already in the perfect spot to recuperate.
One word of warning though - each year the festival gets raided by the (extremely ineffective) Greek police, so keep your funny substances at home or well hidden (dig a hole). The criminal penalties for posession are absolutely draconic, but as with all Greek authorities, 50 euros will probably solve your points of contention.
The Agios Yannis beach with a clutch of great beach villas is a good place to start: rent a car and go exploring. You won't be disappointed unless you like your beaches bustling with loungers and waiter service.
Tinos is in the Cyclades islands, a two hour catamaran ride from Athens. The quicker journey is from the small port of Rafina on the north coast and very close to the new Athens airport (no need to go into Athens).
Alternatively, ferries and catamarans go from Pireus, or you can fly to Mykonos and take a 20 min ferry to Tinos.
Stay in Aidonokastro, part of the old village in Valeontades, which has been restored and run by Yannis, a real star and environmental campaigner. Buried in the forest, Aidonokastro lies in one of the most beautiful areas of Samos.
The sense of peace and quiet here is unbelievable - the loudest sounds are the rushing of the stream in the valley and the calling of owls and, of course, the nightingale. Many people drive through the valley, but to experience it, you need to stay there and walk - the mountain villages are beautiful and the paths between them shouldn't be missed.
Laskarina Holidays
www.laskarina.co.uk/accommodation.asp?si_id=&ig_id=2&i_id=4&loc_id=21&acc_id=159&ig_name=North%20East%20Aegean&i_name=Samos
A restaurant in the Old Village with good food, very friendly and a marvellous view over the Aegean.
Take the bus, or a taxi, from Patitiri port up the hill. Better still, stretch you legs by walking up the ancient mule track (30 mins).
Tel: 00 30 2420 65182
www.alonissosastrofegia.com
The (English) website www.poros-bulletin.co.uk is very useful for details of ferries, accommodation, sightseeing, etc.
The best introduction you can get to this gem is to read the book "Coming Slowly" published earlier this year by Anne Ibbotson. Describes life through the seasons there much better than I can!
Just a fabulous stretch of sand! Stay for the evening and watch the sun set behind Paros.
Naxos island, you can get a bus from Naxos town which goes all the way along Plaka. Get off when you like the look of a spot!
Allcorfu.com is a really useful site with a wealth of information on accommodation, eating out, car hire etc.
There is a small boat that runs between Corfu Town and Vidos Island for just one euro return.
The three-minute trip affords wonderful panoramic views of the old Venetian town from the water. Once on the small island you can have a drink or meal, wander through the pine trees or lie on the beach.
The boat leaves at regular intervals until late evening from the Old Port.
Go to Texas, the most famous rock club in Athens. Plays classic rock and metal every night until morning. Often frequented by bands such as Motorhead after they've played in the city. If you like Texas you can also try nearby Revenge of Rock.
Texas is on Ippokratous Street in the bohemian area of Exarhia. Revenge of Rock is on Leofourous Alexandras, also in Exarhia. Exarhia is central Athens – a 10 minute walk from Ommonia square or take a cab (most taxi drivers will know these clubs)
My favourite coffeehouse. The best coffee and drinks and the tastiest dishes (at the best prices of course!)
Andrea Papandreou 9, Hlioupolis
Tired of those endless hours of sunbathing? If you are in the mood for reading and have run out of books look for something that suits your taste in the multi-storied Eleftheroudakis book store. English literature is on the mezzanine, most popular titles are displayed on the ground floor. And if you feel like leafing through glossy magazines without paying a cent you may do so in their wonderful sixth floor cafe over big cups of coffee and fresh croissants.
Panepistimiou street, Athens
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