Latest news with #Thassos
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
Where should we book for a hot, lazy September trip?
Q My partner and I are planning a September trip to somewhere hot, lazy and quiet – but interesting. We are always happy with a scooter bombing about. Any ideas? Sarah Fairclough A One word: Greece, and in particular, one or more islands. September is the perfect month for exploring the Aegean Sea. The water is at its warmest, having been cooking gently over the summer. The crowds have ebbed away, yet there is still enough of a clientele to keep the tavernas buzzing while you sip a coffee or beer and watch the fishing boats bobbing in the harbour. For a single island holiday without a large British clientele, I commend Thassos. It is the northernmost Greek island, tucked in close to the mainland in the Thracian Sea, about halfway between Thessaloniki and the Turkish border. You reach it by flying to Kavala, from which it is 10 miles by road to the ferry port of Keramoti. Pause here for the first of many Greek salads before taking the 40-minute ferry ride across to the town of Thassos. Its main cultural attraction is an archaeological museum of surprising scale and depth. Thassos is more verdant than the archetypal Greek island, draped with thick pine forests. The peak in the middle of the island is higher than any in England. There are some excellent beaches – of which Golden Beach, about five miles southeast of the main town, will provide all you need. The coastal circuit is rewarding – though the island's perimeter road is tricky and dangerous, so I suggest you take the bus rather than bombing about on a scooter. To combine an island with a few days in Athens, there are two obvious choices. The first is Poros, just off the Peloponnese, 75 minutes by hydrofoil from Piraeus port; the second, Kea, southeast of the southern tip of Attica and an hour by ferry from the port of Lavrio. Each offers easy tranquillity, in the company mainly of Greek holidaymakers, and the essence of Mediterranean bliss. Q Can you explain why some airlines do not allow name changes on ticketed flights but budget carriers do? Andy West A In short, because easyJet, Ryanair and others judge it to be in their commercial interests to do so, while many traditional 'legacy carriers' do not. Intuitively, you might imagine that once you have bought a seat on a flight it belongs to you to do with what you wish. After all, if you were unable to use a theatre ticket you could happily pass it on to me. Unfortunately, that is not how the airline business works. The carriers want to maximise their income using the dark art of revenue management – filling every seat on the plane, at a range of different fares. For example, I am travelling today to Denver. I bought from British Airways three months ago at £621 return. The fare now is over £2,000. Were I able easily to change the name on a ticket, I could speculatively buy early and sell on to someone else at a higher fare – perhaps twice what I paid for it. In the 20th century, this sort of thing happened rather a lot, which is one reason many airlines imposed a strict rule banning name changes. Low-cost airlines, though, are generally happy to allow changes – at a price. Ryanair, for example, charges £115 for the privilege. As you will know, that is considerably more than the average fare on Europe's biggest budget airline, and in many cases it will simply not be worth contemplating. EasyJet is a relative bargain at £60 – though bear in mind these are per flight, which means that you would pay £120 for a round trip. There are two ways to circumvent the general expense and restrictions: first, book a package holiday. You are able to transfer this to another person for a nominal £50 if you give a week's notice. Alternatively, some people have been known to change their name legally to match that on the ticket – and obtain a passport in that name. The latter is worth doing only for a particularly expensive ticket. Q My wife and I have booked a trip to Cape Verde for next February. We have since found that there have been many severe outbreaks of gastric illnesses. We are older travellers and are concerned about the possible problems if we continue with the holiday. The travel company will not let us switch without forfeiting our deposit, and our travel insurer will not commit to covering us at this stage. Can you advise? Terry Page A This volcanic archipelago, about 300 miles off the coast of west Africa, has landscapes ranging from barren desert to misty mountains. Cape Verde's people – a convivial blend of African and Portuguese – are said to be exceptionally friendly. Cape Verde has many new flights this year, and I hope to visit at the start of the dry season in November. For your trip, the weather in February should be ideal: sunny but not too hot or humid. Having said all that, you need not look far for evidence of a high incidence of gastric illnesses. The law firm Irwin Mitchell says it is representing more than 1,400 British holidaymakers who have suffered from E coli, salmonella, shigella and cryptosporidium. One lawyer, Jatinda Paul, says: 'Illnesses like E coli are serious and can lead to long-term health complications.' Older travellers, as you realise, are particularly susceptible. Almost all the problems appear to stem from all-inclusive resorts, and in particular the buffet – a 'microbiological nirvana', as the writer and scientist Rob Ryan memorably described such spreads. Even with the most meticulous care, keeping infections in check in tropical locations can be extremely difficult. I studiously avoid any food that I do not see cooked in front of me, and steer clear of salads, mayonnaise and seafood. Bluntly, the safest policy is to eat outside the resort – at local cafes and restaurants with a high turnover of customers, where everything is cooked fresh for you. I appreciate that may not be what you want to hear, but it will prove the best insurance against infection. If you are unconvinced, then sadly you must either forfeit the deposit or transfer the holiday to someone else, which you will be able to do for a payment of about £50 per person. Q My husband and I have time off from 16 to 21 August. We would love to go abroad, but want to stick to a budget. Can you suggest anywhere affordable and hot with a beach, ideally flying from Luton or Stansted? Julie A A You will get excellent value (and strong consumer protection) from a proper package holiday – including flights with checked baggage, transfers to the resort and accommodation. I have surveyed the deals on offer from the two top providers, Jet2 Holidays and Tui. From both companies, the lowest prices for departures on Saturday 16 August are for the Greek island of Rhodes. Both deals offer outstanding value for the peak summer month. The accommodation is fairly simple and includes no meals; fortunately, in Greece, eating out is always a pleasure. For the best deal on your exact dates, you will have to head some distance northwest from your preferred airports to Birmingham, which has excellent rail connections. Jet2 will take you from there to Rhodes for £387 per person, staying in the Filoxenia Apartments in Theologos. The beach is reasonable but the location is close to the airport, so noise can be a nuisance. Still, Rhodes Town – one of the most atmospheric locations in the Mediterranean – is a quick bus ride away. Perhaps you can stretch to a whole week: out on 16 August, back seven days later? If so, Tui has an even more appealing package holiday, flying from Stansted. The price is just £438 per person for a property called Nimar Villagio in Afandou. This is a village on the east coast, a comfortable distance south of the lively resort of Faliraki. Afandou has an excellent beach and is also well located for exploring. Rhodes Town is close enough and beautiful Lindos is a short distance south. Besides being a thoroughly charming fishing village comprising a huddle of whitewashed houses, Lindos also possesses the archaeological highlight of Rhodes: the ancient Acropolis, perched high above the village. A 14th-century castle of the Knights of St John comes as a bonus.
The Sun
11-06-2025
- The Sun
Brits are swapping busy Spain for these three quiet Greek hotspots with £1 pints and secret beaches
Plus, one of the cheapest Greek islands that is set to be popular as TUI adds more hotels ISLE GO Brits are swapping busy Spain for these three quiet Greek hotspots with £1 pints and secret beaches AS parts of Spain become more crowded with tourists and prices are rising, Brits are ditching the country in favour of quieter Greek islands. Growing costs and overcrowding in Spain are pushing holidaymakers to alternative destinations, like Thassos, Lefkada and Agistri, according to Greek travel experts Ionian Island Holidays. 9 Growing costs and overcrowding in Spain are pushing holidaymakers to alternative destinations Credit: Alamy 9 Greek destinations like Thassos, Lefkada and Agistri are becoming great alternatives Credit: Alamy 9 The islands are known for being great value for money Credit: Alamy And these destinations don't break the bank. Especially, when drinks can be found in local tavernas for as low as £1, for example. Like on islands such as Kalymnos and Agistri, visitors can often find 500ml draught beer or a carafe of house wine priced between €1.50 and €2.50 (£1.30–£2.10). Meze dishes featuring grilled vegetables, fried cheese or seafood can be found for under €5 (£4.24). Places to eat and grab a drink are often family-run, which adds to their charm. A spokesperson for Ionian Island Holidays said: "Many of these tavernas have been in families for generations," "They care more about welcoming guests than maximising profit." Another reason why holidaymakers are heading to Greece over Spain, is for the peaceful coves and quiet beaches. For example, in Thassos, Marble Beach has white-pebble shores and clear water. Alternatively, in Lefkada, down cascading steps is Porto Katsiki - which is naturally calm. The adult-only Greek hotel with laid-back DJs and hidden beach In Agistri, Aponisos Beach has shallow water, perfect for families. Whilst many of the beaches across Greece are only reachable via foot or local water taxis, this helps preserve their charm. "You won't need to claim a sunbed at 7 a.m.—there's space for everyone," said an Ionian Island Holidays spokesperson. Undeniably, when on holiday food is a top priority. And in Greece, the food is fresh, local and often low cost. Seafood dishes like sardines, grilled octopus or calamari can be found for €8–€12 (£7–£10). 9 In Greece, the food is fresh, local and often low cost Credit: Alamy 9 Drinks can be found in local tavernas for as low as £1, too Credit: Alamy Or hearty mains such as moussaka or souvlaki typically cost €6–€9 (£5–£8). If you wanted to share, plates (meze) of fava, dolmades, tzatziki or fried courgette often start at just €3 (£2.50). Most meals tend to be cooked from scratch using local ingredients. Tavernas will grow their own herbs, source fish directly from nearby harbours and cook with olive oil processed locally. Most meals are made from scratch using local ingredients—many tavernas grow their own herbs, source fish directly from nearby harbours and use olive oil pressed locally. "It's not just cheap—it's authentic. These aren't tourist menus; they're cooking for neighbours, too," added the Ionian Island Holidays spokesperson. Typically, Greece also offers better value accommodation and daily costs remain the cheapest in Europe, during off-peak months. For example, double rooms in local guesthouses on Thassos or Lefkada cost around £25–£35 per night. 9 Double rooms in local guesthouses on Thassos or Lefkada cost around £25–£35 per night Credit: Alamy 9 Transport tends to be cheap too with short inter-island ferries costing under €10 (£8.47) Credit: Alamy Many properties have kitchenettes too, which is ideal for families wanting to cook their own food. For transport, short inter-island ferries are typically under €10 (£8.47). "Families and couples can enjoy an entire day out, meals included, for the price of a single tourist attraction in other destinations," said the Ionian Island Holidays spokesperson. Unlike many parts of Spain, Greece has less overcrowding. Travellers often report being welcomed into village festivals, outdoor cinemas and local cafés, as well as feeling like part of the community by the end of their stay. "Visitors often say they feel like they're in a real community, not a tourist zone," commented the Ionian Island Holidays spokesperson. 9 The shoulder months including May, June and September, are also becoming more favourable as well Credit: Alamy "That authenticity is priceless." When it comes to what Brits are actually looking for, natural beauty, value for money and meaningful local experiences repeatedly crop up. The shoulder months including May, June and September, are also becoming more favourable with couples, solo travellers and families seeking calm and affordability. The Ionian Islands Holidays spokesperson said: "Our guests are looking for quality without excess… beautiful views, kind people and good food that doesn't cost a fortune." There is also a smaller Greek island with 70 beaches that experts warn you should see before it gets too popular. Plus, one of the cheapest Greek islands that is set to be popular as TUI adds more hotels.
The Sun
08-05-2025
- The Sun
One of the cheapest Greek islands that is set to be popular as TUI adds more hotels
THE island of Thassos in Greece is often overlooked in favour of other Greek islands - but is set to get even more popular. With both an airport on the island and connections via ferry to the mainland, Thassos is a great alternative holiday spot in Greece if wanting to spend less money. 8 8 8 Holiday packages to the island can be found for relatively cheap, from £189pp with TUI. And demand for holidays to the island are also increasing. Steffen Boehnke, head of TUI product management sun & beach said Thassos is one of the "smaller, more authentic" islands seeing an increase in holidays. The tour operator has increased the number of budget three-star hotels in response to the withdrawal of FTI and expanded its range of flights. He said: "This means a greater choice, so families and price-conscious holidaymakers in particular can travel on the same budget as last summer," reports FVW Travel Talk. Thassos boasts different activities meaning it caters to many different interests as a destination. One of the main destinations on the island is the Ancient Agora, a site with old temples, remains of sanctuaries, an ancient theatre and other buildings. Occasionally the site is used for performances of ancient dramas and comedies. There is also the Monastery of Archangel Michael, protector of the island - which has a great view over the sea. The ministry is the biggest and most popular monastery of Thassos and houses a collection of religious articles and works created by the monks. The completely stress-free way to island hop in Greece - discovering its less-crowded beaches & towns Interestingly, the Monastery of Archangel Michael is exclusively female and is built on the edge of a cliff. As for towns and villages on the island, Limenaria is the island's second-largest town and is known for being the hub of Thassos' mining industry in the 20th century. You can still see the turreted mining headquarters on the headland overlooking Limenaria Beach and there's a mine which travellers can take tours of. Limenaria is also where the old port is located and is a picturesque neighborhood to enjoy a coffee by the sea. For those who prefer to explore nature, the island has many hiking paths. And across the island there are a total of 34 beautiful beaches. Paradise Beach is considered one of the best swimming spots in Limenas, on the island, because it resembles tropical waters. 8 8 8 The beach has fine white sand and azure blue, shallow waters. It is also surrounded by green mountains and can be reached via a narrow alley passing through a small woodland area. Alternatively, visitors can head to a lagoon called Giola. Here the rock formations have created a natural pool where people can swim. For a while it has been popular destination with Instagrammers, who are often seen jump from the rocks and plunging into the water below. When it comes to eating, the island has numerous restaurants, cafes and bars with traditional taverns serving classic Greek cuisine. It takes around three-and-a-half hours to fly to the island. There are also a number of other islands in Greece that are good value for money. Plus, the enchanting Greek island where no one lives and exotic animals roam free on sandy beaches. 8 8
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Listed at $9.5M, first-floor seaside condo in Palm Beach is 'a special place': See inside
Artist Marie Louise 'Minou' Palandjian looked just outside the window to find the perfect name for her ocean-view condominium in Midtown Palm Beach. 'It has a signature ocean view with three palm trees, with the sky changing all the time. The trees made me think of my daughters — I call them my Three Graces,' she says. The name seemed applicable to the apartment, too, says Palandjian, who hails from Westville in South Africa but has Massachusetts homes in Boston and Nantucket. A long-time visitor to Palm Beach, she decided to become a resident of the island when her children — three daughters and a son — moved out of the house, she explains. There was a second reason, too. 'The cold weather got to me,' she says of Massachusetts. 'I thought Palm Beach would be lovely to stay. It's absolutely beautiful, and when I saw this condo, I fell in love with it.' She has since become engaged to Jeffrey Newton, and the couple has bought a larger place in the North End to accommodate visits from their combined families. And that means it's time to part with the condo. But in 2019, when she bought unit No. C-1 in the 330 Building at 330 S. Ocean Blvd., it was the perfect choice, she says. 'It had been recently renovated, but the owners were not spending enough time here,' she recalls. She has the condo listed for sale with Sotheby's International Realty agent Dragana Connaughton, who has it priced at $9.5 million. The furnishings are available separately, and the unit will be sold with garage parking for two cars. With three bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms, the ground-floor apartment has 2,965 square feet of living space, inside and on its patio terraces. The building stands at the corner of Brazilian Avenue and is separated from Midtown Beach by the coastal road. One of 29 apartments in the five-floor building, Palandjian's condo is on the building's southeast corner. The kitchen, dining room and living room are east of the entry. That position gives the living area views of the ocean to the east — and those three palms — as well as to the south. The living room and kitchen also have glass doors that open to the apartment's covered terraces with railings. A hallway leads from the front entry to the bedroom suites, each of which opens to the covered terrace that runs the length of the apartment's south side. Floors throughout the interior are covered in honed marble, accented with Thassos marble inlays in the entry and main bathroom. Solar shades rise and descend at the touch of a button. The living room has custom built-in cabinetry to hold media and provide space for display and storage. Raffia covers accent walls in the living room and also has been installed within the coffers of the kitchen ceiling. Other distinguishing elements in the kitchen are custom cabinetry, professional-grade appliances, quartz countertops and a backsplash of handmade Italian mosaic tiles. A work island with pull-up seating separates the kitchen from the main living space. The walls of main bedroom suite have been finished in Venetian plaster. All the bathrooms are appointed in marble with quartz accents. While the condo is 'private, feminine, very light and airy,' Palandjian says, she is especially enthusiastic about her outside areas. Legally, they are classified as 'limited common elements' for the exclusive use of the owner of C-1. 'On the east side, I see moonrises and sunrises. It's very pretty — I have two (railed terraces) overlooking a long stretch of grass. And on the south side, I have a patio, lawn and garden. 'It's sunny, and I have access to the (building's) swimming pool, and via a little gate, there's a path to the beach.' The condo is in a full-service building with a full-time manager. With landscaping recently redesigned by Fernando Wong of Fernando Wong Outdoor Living Design, the 330 Building has amenities that include an exercise room, a community room with a kitchen, and a new 550-kilowatt generator. The location has been plus, Palandjian says. She has enjoyed walking to shopping and dining options in Midtown along South County Road and Worth Avenue. 'It's perfect,' she says. 'People would stop by — it's a very community-oriented location. There's a workout studio down the street (and) cafes for croissants.' She adds 'I can walk the dogs day or night from this location.' Is it any surprise the decision to move has been bittersweet? 'I'm going to miss the people in this building, and I will miss my three palms,' she says. 'I hope the next person will be as happy as I was here. It's a special place.' But time moves on and needs change. 'My condo is a little small for seven children and five grandchildren,' she says. 'Jeffrey and I are looking forward to having them stay with us and celebrate holidays and other fun occasions.' To see more photos of Unit No. C-1 at 330 S. Ocean Blvd. in Palm Beach, click on the photo gallery near the top of this page. For more than 20 years, Christine Davis has written about Palm Beach real estate in the "On the Market" feature in the Palm Beach Daily News. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Palm Beach seaside condo listed for $9.5 million is 'a special place'
