Hi all,
My friends and I are thinking of getting a house for a week on an island. We want to go to the beach, go for walks, eat and relax. Someplace that is not crazy with day trippers and is quiet with all the things you imagine when you think of the Greek Islands.
We were thinking Andros, Naxos, or Milos. Perhaps Corfu? What do people recommend?
Thanks!
Someplace that is not crazy with day trippers and is quiet with all the things you imagine when you think of the Greek Islands.
That's how people imagine the Greek islands these days? LOL
Andros will be the least touristy of the 4 you mentioned, and is quite a gem. Corfu and Milos will be the most touristy I'd say, in proportion to their sizes. Though Naxos is up there too. Corfu is big enough that there should be some quiet corners left. Another island to consider, if you find a house rental, is Kythira. Also Kefalonia, whose tourism industry isn't as huge as its sister islands Corfu and Zakynthos. You should also consider the mainland; the mainland has a coast too, you know. A very, very long and scenic one. The Peloponnese region has a burgeoning tourism industry where you should be able to find rentals; consider flying to Kalamata, and exploring the southern part of the region. Perhaps also in Epirus region, on the region's beautiful coast. The lovely town of Parga is touristy but maybe outside of town. You can also side-trip to Corfu from here if you want, as well as the region's stunning interior (like the Zagoria national park and villages).
SALVIS, the answer will depend Greatly upon a fact you have not revealed .... WHEN are you going??? The Experience differs Enormously between June and Late July-August .... the latter period, High Season, is when the entire population of UK and NOrthern Europe seems to jump on Jumbo Jets and Fill almost all the islands to the brim ... if you go in late May thru June, Or after September 4 or 5, a great many islands will offer what you want (if you avoid some places given over entirely to purpose-built areas for package holidays) ... But if your plan is for July 10 - August 20 ... well, you'll have to choose carefully, selecting islands that are hard to get to. PLEASE tell us when (and I hope you can make it June or earlier).
I don't know your budget, travel dates, how many of you will be together or what your sleeping arrangements will be but you might be able to find a private villa using the filters at www.vrbo.com. Check the less-travelled islands such as Sikinos, Anafi, Kimolos, Folegandros, Sifnos and Alonnisos.
You may want to check Lemnos. It is the 8th largest Greek island but remains quite unknown as a tourism destination.Oh, of course there is some tourism and there are a couple of direct chapter flights from UK, but there are only a few large hotel complexes on the island and then a few self catering studios, small B&B hotels, rooms to let. And not that many in total. Very low key. There are a few accommodation options here and there on the island, but tourism action and where you may most likely stay is Myrina, the capital town and the near by beach areas of Platy and Avlonas. Myrina is a small harour town with a few beachez ttached to it and there are anough tavern options and some cafe/bars to get you going for a week, but a much smaller place than say Naxos town or Corfu and the like. The island features a few archeological sites, over 40 very nice beaches, many villages to visit but the public transport is non-existant (hey, you asked quiet). On high season I think there is a boat trip once or twice per week around the island and on the tiny neae by Ai-Stratis islet. I think you may find some independant accommodation if you look around, but it will be mostly on the rooms to let or the a-local-offering-a-house-for-rent deal rather than a house built for tourist purposes featuring much comfort. Do check the location wisely though, as this is what matters.
There is one or two local travel agencies which might be able to help on that, google them.
A decent website on the island:
http://www.mylemnos.gr/greece/index.html
" Someplace that is not crazy with day trippers and is quiet with all the things you imagine when you think of the Greek Islands"
About 80 per cent of all Greek Islands correspend to that.
Forget Santorini, Mykonos, Ios, Crete, Milos, Naxos (northern half), Paros (northern half), Antiparos, Sifnos, Folegandros, Kos, Rhodos, Skiathos, Thassos, Aegina, Hydra, Corfu, Zakynthos and check all the others
http://www.greeka.com/greek-islands-guides.htm
Unfortunately, we are locked into the week of August 7th.
Thank you so so much for all the info! Seems like Andros is the better bet.
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