San Stefanos Online ~ North West Corfu
Your help and reviews are required => Information and help please => Topic started by: Georgie2002 on October 16, 2012, 02:38:16 PM
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Hi all,
I know you'll be stunned to read this but I'm probably not going to return to San Stef next year and try out somewhere new instead! If I had lots of money I'd do two holidays and definitely return to San Stef, but as things are I want to carry on seeing more of Greece so San Stef will have to remain a wonderful memory for now!
I know this question isn't San Stef related but as there's lots of well travelled people on here I thought I'd ask anyway! Has anyone ever been to Kalamaki in Zante? I keep reading different descriptions and sometimes I think it sounds nice and others it sounds too busy and commercial so I don't know what to do! It's next door to the party town of Laganas and I don't want an overflow of lager louts so if that's what it's about I'd rather go somewhere else!
Can anyone help?!
Yammas :)
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Hi Georgie ,
Although I have been to many other places in Greece I must admit that I have never been to Zante .
One thing I know for sure , give it a year and you will be hot footing it back to Aghios Stefanos - that is what happened to me in the early 80's and now I cannot keep away ! I have been out in February right through to November and each month brings something different ! Good luck but like the man said ' you will be back '
Ioanna x
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Hi Georgie
We've been to Zante and really enjoyed it. Haven't stayed at Kalamaki but if you decide it isn't for you I'd recommend Alykanas as a good quiet resort with a nice beach.
Yammas
DF
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Hi Georgie. I have been to Zante but it was 1993, we stayed at Alykes which was a very quiet village with a very beautiful beach.Cant say how it is now.
We did a day trip over to Kefalonia, had dolfins riding the bough waves of the ship.
Thassos is a very nice island also, there is no airport on the island, so you get the ferry over, a nice start to the holidays.
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Hi Georgie
We've been to Zante several times, the last time in 2009.
Although have never stopped at Kalamaki it can get the overflow from Laganas which is often not great.
One of my daughters worked for the turtle protection charity Archelon and thet were based near Kalamki and said that there were often drunken party goers wandering up the beach from Laganas and could be a bit of a problem.
We've stopped in Tsilivi on 3 occasions which is quite a busy resort but nice enough, although recently it has become much busier and rowdier - one of the reasons we stopped going there.
Kefalonia is much quieter island, and if you want to be a bit more adventurous (ferries etc) try Thassos or Kalymnos
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Hi Georgie
I have spent 2 holidays in Kalamaki and found it to be a excellent resort.It is nothing like Laganas and is a relaxing resort with a nice beach.The beach is the breeding place of the protected loggerhead turtles,I have enclosed a link to an interactive map.If you click on the balloons you will be able to select a street view of the area and take a virtual walk around the resort.
http://www.justzante.co.uk/kalamaki.htm
I stayed at the Venus Hotel during my visits and found it excellent.Today it is rated no 1 of 40 hotels in the resort.Link enclosed.
http://www.venushotel.gr/
Kalamaki & Laganas are at opposite ends of a 4km stetch of beach which makes a nice walk.
I have just read Robs posting and I can only say that during our last visit which was 3 year ago we never saw any drunken party goers. I fully understand that things can change dramatically over a 3 year period and Kalamaki may no longer be the resort I remember.
Yammas
Yiannis
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Hi Georgie, Thassos gets my vote too and the ferry over to Thassos from keramoti port is a wonderful start to your holiday, I think though that only Thomsons fly into Kavala airport although I have to say the short [ 8 mins] coach to ferry port then 35 mins on ferry which has a bar serving drinks and snacks then a coach waiting to take you to resort once off the ferry is very well executed by Thomsons, no hassle at all plus the seagulls follow the ferry over to Thassos and if you are lucky then you will get to see the dolphins.
We stayed at ' Golden beach' in Panagia which is a lovely resort, amazing sandy beach, with lots of friendly taverna's serving lovely food in a chilled out place. Thassos is only 90 kilometres all round with very good roads, you can hire a car or motorbike to visit some of the other stunning beaches such as Paradise beach or Marble beach, Thassos town is worth a visit too. The old quaint village of Panagia just above Golden beach resort is worthy of a visit, a lovely old village, you can either walk or catch the frequent bus service, only takes around 15 minutes by bus and there are some lovely local shops there too.
Having said that SS is the only place that we have ever been drawn back too, can't explain it but just love it, next year will be our 3rd visit to SS having previously stayed at nearby Agios Georgios North until we discovered SS.
Good luck with your plans.
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Georgie,
Our other favourite Greek places are Skiathos town, on the island of Skiathos obviously and Stoupa which is a lovely quiet resort in the Peloponese area. Skiathos town is very cosmopolitan with plenty of bars and tavernas but also relaxing. The dowside being the prices to go there are a little more expensive due to that Mama Mia film. Stoupa is a total chill out where you can actually here a pin drop on the beach. I'm sorry but we have not been to Zante.
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Georgie
My vote would go to Skala in Kefalonia. Very similar resort in size, no loud bars, mainly tavernas.
Hotel wise I would book the 9 Muses always as it's got a great beachfront location. It's not the cheapest though. Read the reviews they speak for themselves. Lots of return visitors year on year
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g664630-d500164-Reviews-9_Muses_Hotel_Skala_Beach-Skala_Cephalonia_Ionian_Islands.html
Check out the travellers photos
You can immerse yourself in the whole Captain Correlli thing and both the tour operator and the independant guys run superb trips. A trip to savour would be the island tour which takes in Assos, Fiskardo and the caves....stunning. There's also boat trips to Ithaca which is meant to be where Homer set the Odysssey.
A really quiet resort where you will enjoy total chillax.
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Hi Georgie, we have been four times to Zakynthos but never stayed in Kalamaki.
We have been through it and it looked very busy.
We used to stay in the Ionian beach area of Vasilikos, (the village was known locally as Potamia)
We loved it there but used to go with Direct Greece, which is no more.It was taken over by Direct Holidays for a while
and then they just kept a few of the properties.
I didn't like Kalamaki at first glance but sometimes you need to make your own conclusions on a place.
You would love the quieter areas.It is very pretty like Corfu and I'm sure you'd love it, although we have been to several islands
and have never found one quite as friendly as Corfu.
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Thanks for all your help guys!! Seems a mixed bag as with the website reviews I've seen! Still totally undecided! I wanna go everywhere!! :o
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Hols are very funny things and are very particular to each person.
I had a work colleague who was in Kalamaki around 4 years ago (we were in Kef at the same time) and he hated it but he loves Corfu and Kefalonia.
The one thing that does demonstrate the friendliness of the 9 Muses staff was the waitress, Athina, who remembered us after a 4 year gap!! She even remembered what I'd christened one of the stray cats at the hotel! How do they do that after a 4 year gap!!??
When we left this year, her and one of the other waitresses finished work after a 10 hour day and went out and bought us both a present.
The barman only got to bed at 4am but was up at 9.30am to see us off....... amazing personal service!!
I also love Egypt but my nephew has just been and he hated it!! One mans music is another mans noise and all that!
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Just to throw a spanner in the works/discussions has anyone tried Spetses, one of the Argo Saronic islands a little difficult to get to. so you fly into Athens and then coach/taxi down to the port, upgrade to hydrofoil and you can be there in 2 hrs the ferry takes over 5 hours. want to know more read The Magus which is imaginary but set in spetses which in the early 90's had one of the first private british schools in Greece. I lived there for 5 years it was amazing........
BTW yoiu wont find Thomsons, TC or any major tour operator there this is really Greece at its best (well in my opinion).......
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Used to send the odd intrepid traveller there Leslie when i was a travel agent in the early 90's!!
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You've all been a great help guys! I think I've found one I like in Alykanas, Zante - does anyone know if Thomas Cook prices go up and down like Thomson?!
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Georgie
Before you book make sure you read everything you can about it. I dont know what your looking for
but if it is something like San Stefanos I would look again.
I used to go to Zante for a number of years and we found Tsilivi to be one of the best resorts not too
busy but with everything you needed.
I understand that you want to try another greek island and hope you have a great time wherever you
go with your little girl.
Julie
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Hi Georgie We are not long back from Alykanass you made a good choice, we went with Thomas Cook stayed in the Alykanas Beach hotel we held off to see if the price would drop at one point we could have had the week for £600 but the price went up we paid £800 ,bit of a bummer .If you see a price you can live with grab it .
Okay the food in the Alykanas /Alykes area is superb prices are good .
There are no taxi's in Alykanas they have horses and carts which take you to the further out tavernas I would recomend taking one up to the lemon tree exellent food you can stroll back down to the village or get the horses taxi back.
There is a taverna on the road between Alykanas and Alykes called starts with P canny mind the rest of it when I do I will put it on,anyway best of them all for food.
Don't miss the Greek night up at Spiroses taverna you go up in the trainaki fantastic night .
There are some good walks if you are into that.
I love my visits to San Stef I also love my visits to Alykanas to some up the food is better in Alykanas and views are better in San Stef
They are both great. Drew Enjoy your stay.
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We went to Tsilivi in June, this was our 3rd visit. The beach is gorgeous and there is plenty to do. It is alot busier than San Stefanos. We both said we will not be going back to that resort again.
When in San Stefanos in September we met a couple who go to Alikes in May and San Stefanos in September every year. I think both resorts are similar in size.
It might be worth having a read up. Alikes and Alikanas are next to each other.
Good luck in what ever you choose i am sure it will be lovely.
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Hi Georgie One more thing if you log on to the just Zante site you can do a virtual tour Ok its a bit slow but worth a look.
Drew :)
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Thanks Andrew, that's some great info!
I've read sooooo much about it now, I think I'm certain of my choice. Hoping the price stays reasonable until pay day when I can book!
Hope to see San Stef again one day though :)
Thanks everyone! ;D
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Hi Georgie. We have been to Zante a few times we always went to Alykes it is lovely there would recommend it, but after going to San Stefanos 1st time we fell in love with it and have been every year since.
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Hiya - thanks, I really liked the sound of it but the one I picked was sold out the next time I checked :( had to start from scratch! Looking at Tingaki in Kos now...
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I think you will find Kefalos in Kos is more alike to SS than Tingaki?
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Kefalos is really nice
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Mastichari in Kos lovely village - sort of listed and no English eatieries etc. A good way to book is through Greycat Holidays - will look for the link - then you can read the blurb - they offer sort of packages and highly recommended for a traditonal holiday
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Here's the link : http://www.mastihari.co.uk
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Grey cat works alongside the community to keep the traditional way fo life - have taken this paragraph from their site -
THE CONCEPT OF OUR SERVICE
I first visited Mastihari seventeen years ago to 'house sit' for a friend who was away in the U.S.A.. I instantly fell in love with the village and its attendent qualities which epitomise the Greek way of life. Sadly, these very qualities which first attracted me to the Island are now vanishing under the onslaught of mass tourism. To preserve the delights of Mastihari, a radical approach was required, hence the concept of our service was born. This is a genuine partnership with the local community, we take great pride in ensuring the money you spend with us, goes into the local economy for the benefit of the whole community. By playing our part in the social and economic fabric of the village, Mastihari will remain unspoilt. For your part, you will experience the open arms and hearts of the villagers who are delighted that you will embrace and respect their customs, traditions and way of life. In return, they offer you the chance to share for the time you are with them, the 'magic' which is Mastihari.
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Hi have stayed in Tingaki twice if you are going May/June/July stay away from apartments near the beach area as that is where the salt lakes are and a breeding haven for mossies.Come August they have possibly been sprayed or dried up.We called in there last year and they were also having big problems with midges.We stayed at the Mayflower apts they are v nice and further from the beach.
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I would prefer Mastahari over Tingaki and Kefalos we have been there a few times over the years. Super accommodation right on the beach ,
The journey from the airport is not long and there are always plenty taxis available and Grey Cat are great would recommend them.
You can take the ferry over to Kalymnos for the day and do a trip round the island.
There is also a good bus service from Mastahari to Kos town.
We have been to Greece many times over the last 30+ years and Corfu, Kefalonia ,Samos, Skyros and Crete are our favourites.
Annie
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Thanks for all the info guys!
Debra/anniefuff - I'm just looking at that website now - is there a pool? There's no mention of one on the website...
I can't get over how helpful everyone is being, I'm very very grateful! :)
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Hi again,
If you email Kevin at Grey Cat he will answer all your questions.
I am not sure about pools as we tend to stay in small studio/apartment blocks Mastahari has a big sandy beach..
annie
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It is very Greek - and wonderful - great company that sells it - just looked at next years specials - very, very competetive prices per couple!
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Yes in fairness I forgot Mastahari but this is an ideal place as transfer time so close for airport but still far enough away noise wise, car hire either over to kefalos or into Kos Town only 30 mins each way. Then as well as Sponge Divers Island at Kalymnos try the volcanic island of Nissyros (also from the port of Mastahari) all my black and white original photos in our Corfu house are from there, from photographer called Artin, small island, white washed church, little back streets etc... very good day out from Kos. Yes would say Mastahari would be a fab option......
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Mastahari looks wonderful! Do any of you know if you can do an excursion to Patmos from this village?
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Obviously we can all only speak as we find, but I have to say that my partner and I (with and without different combinations of children and friends) have been to Ag Stef every year for the past 14 years..... apart from one disastrous year. I recklessly decided that we needed to branch out and be brave and see more of Greece. I spent ages researching resorts and after a great deal of time I chose Mastihari. BIGGEST HOLIDAY MISTAKE EVER, for us at any rate. I was there for a month and even by the end I still did not feel relaxed or any warmth for the place at all. I was back in Ag Stef in the October half term!
I did not really like the village, the beach(huge amounts of seaweed that was never cleared), the restaurants (which all had touts outside so that you could not even look at a menu without being pressured to go in) and I felt that the tradespeople there were much more pushy in general.
I had travelled with Black Cat and whilst I found Kevin in the UK to be very well organised and pleasant to deal with, the woman who was the rep operated out of her own restaurant on the beachfront was extremely cool and somewhat unhelpful.
I felt that when I was asking for a little information or assistance that I was being a nuisance. This was the case even when we were actually eating at her place. I spent the last two weeks of the holiday alone (as I often do in Ag Stef) but did not really enjoy the experience.
Other people may well have different views but I hope this is helpful.
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Thanks stressed for this information - it is really good to hear of someone who has recent knowledge of a place and I know it is indivdual but I can clearly remember one year when we went to Thassos in July and had a lovely time - we stayed in Golden Beach and I just loved the island. We treated ourseleves that year and 11 days after coming back from Thassos we went to Corfu - Ag Stef - for our third visit. We sat on the beach one day and John (hubby) said 'I really liked Thassos but there is just something about this place and it's people - the people just seem so sunny'. That summed it up for me AG Stef has everything I want - an uncrowded beach, even in the height of season when I have to go, and the wonderful people. I have limited myself to once every two years - but am going next year for my son's wedding - and I do want to go to so many other places, but I remember the contrast even with lovely Thassos
and it is very hard to choose to go anywhere else.
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We spent a couple of weeks in kalamaki last year.
Although we enjoyed our holiday, We much prefer SS. The restaurants were not as good and very slightly more expensive. The beach isn't in the same league as SS in my opinion and apart from the main strip, everything else is quite spread out.
There are though, a good selection of bars if that's your thing.
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I've booked wooooohooooo!!!! Going to Mastihari in Kos...will see how it compares to the lovely San Stefanos!
Thanks for everyone's help and advice, really appreciated :)
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So glad your sorted Georgie you set me off and thinking about it for a week next September if we can afford it after our two weeks in AS in June