Latest news with #tavernas
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.
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Telegraph
The 21 best restaurants in Crete
Don't come to Crete expecting Michelin stars. In Crete (as every restaurant owner will proudly tell you) the ingredients for your dinner sprang fresh from the soil under your feet. Some of the best restaurants are rustic tavernas with rusting signs, where you'll listen to the click of komboloi worry beads as you (according to season) taste meze portions of stuffed snails, wild greens or lemon-drizzled artichokes, served with cretan rusk dakos twice-baked in the village oven. No stars, perhaps, but dazzling all the same – and you won't pay a fortune, either. All our recommendations below have been hand selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best restaurants in Crete. Find out more below, or for more Crete inspiration, see our guides to the region's best hotels, bars, things to do and beaches. Find restaurants by type: Best all-rounders Kritamon A cluster of tree-shaded wooden tables grouped around ancient trees are the humble backdrop for a dazzling display of dishes (many that you won't find elsewhere): delicate handmade skoufichta pasta (with mushroom); maggiri, a dish of fresh pasta (part fried, part boiled) in a meaty broth scattered with shavings of white cheese; and hilopites egg noodles with chicken chunks in a rich, dark sauce. Owner Dimitris Mavrakis learnt his trade from Alain Ducasse and other top chefs, before settling here, with his wife Maria, in the busy little village of Archanes 15 kilometres (nine miles) south of Heraklion. Area: Archanes Website: Prices: ££ Reservations: Recommended Best table: There's more elbow room outside on the tree-shaded terrace To Pigadi tou Tourkou When you need a change from Cretan fare, The Well of the Turk – so-called because the building once housed a Turkish hammam – offers some tasty alternatives. Situated in Chania's Splanzia area, the low-vaulted interior, painted in Van Gogh hues of yellow and blue, spills out onto a paved street overlooking the 13th-century church of Agia Irini. Middle Eastern specialities include meltingly tender lamb, slow cooked with preserved lemons, and Turkish pizza topped with minced beef or lamb. Make sure to leave room for their rosewater and orange cheesecake.
Telegraph
17-06-2025
- Telegraph
The 10 best beaches in Santorini
Santorini is famous for its strikingly photogenic volcanic caldera lined with glitzy hotels, snow white villages and picturesque blue domed churches. But the Greek island also has a handful of spectacularly lovely beaches, perfect for cooling off after a long day's sightseeing. From black sand strands framed by towering cliffs, to brick red beaches lapped by translucent turquoise waters, gently curving bays lined with laid back bars or crowd-free secret coves that can only be reached by boat, this sun dazzled Cycladic island has something for every taste. All our recommendations below have been hand selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best beaches in Santorini. Find out more below, or for more Santorini inspiration, see our guides to the island's best hotels, restaurants, bars and things to do. Perissa Framed by Mesa Vouno, the island's highest mountain, Perissa's black sand, Blue Flag-awarded beach is a magnet for families, and wheelchair-users will find ramps for easy sea access. Back from the beach a seafront promenade is lined with tavernas, bars and souvenir shops. Getting there: A 20-minute drive or 35-minutes bus-ride from Fira. Insider tip: Feeling energetic? Hike from here to the ruins of Ancient Thera, up on Mesa Vouno hill. Vlychada On the island's southern tip, Vlychada's low-key beach is surprisingly little-known, perhaps because, apart from a diminutive fishing port and a few tavernas and departure point where catamarans leave for sunset tours, there are few facilities here. Its pretty grey and pebble beach is backed by a line of rugged cliffs, making it a well-kept local secret. Getting there: It's a 20-minute drive from capital Fira. Insider tip: Escape the heat in Vlychada's quirky Tomato Industrial Museum and find out more about one of the island's staple crops. Kamari Packed with feet-in-the-water tavernas, souvenir shops and bars that morph to lively clubs as soon as the sun goes down, this easy-to-reach beach with its sweep of black volcanic sand is one of the island's most cosmopolitan seaside haunts. With several watersports centres there's plenty of fun for activity lovers, too. Getting there: It's a 15-minute drive from Fira; in summer there are buses every half hour. White Beach Less visited than many other beaches because of its difficult access, this blissfully secluded beach derives its name from the creamy white cliffs that sweep down to a succession of coves. Dotted with chalk-coloured pebbles, they provide a startling contrast to the turquoise waters below. Getting there: By boat from Ammoudi Bay or hike from Red Beach. Mesa Pigadia After a thrilling swim from White Beach – through a small sea cave – you will find the clear sheltered waters of this lesser-visited black pebble strand. Backed by brightly painted huts that fishermen once used to store their boats, the area is perfect for snorkellers. Getting there: It's a 25 minute drive from Fira (partly via a dirt track). Boats also leave from Akrotiri. Insider tip: Wear watershoes (there are sea urchins). Red Beach Backed by ochre cliffs descending to a small bay with rust-coloured sands, this is the island's most striking strand. Dramatic rock formations make perfect platforms for leaping into the blue waters beneath. Getting there: It's a perilous cliff hike from Akrotiri's Minoan archaeological site; there are also boats from Ammoudi Bay. Insider tip: Although the beach is currently safe, there have been landslides in the past – check with your hotel before going. Thermes This hidden gem beach is a peaceful haven where you can laze on red and black volcanic sands, swim in mirror clear water or explore the beach's ancient rock-carved chapel with only gulls for company. It's remote, reached via an hour-long hike from the pottery stores and family-owned tavernas of Megalochori. Getting there: A way-marked trail leaves from the Boutari Winery in Megalochori. Insider tip: There are no tavernas or beach bars, so bring food, water and sunscreen. Agios Nikolaos Tucked in a cove beneath Oia's cobbled alleys and blue-domed churches, this hard-to-find beach on the far side of Ammoudi's taverna-lined bay is popular with locals, who come here to escape the summer crowds. Getting there: Follow the scenic 300-stepped path from Oia. Insider tip: Join fellow swimmers to sip thick and syrupy elleniko coffee in one of Ammoudi's waterside tavernas afterwards. Monolithos Named for its single, sentry-like white rock (mono lithos), this narrow windswept beach standing in the airport's shadow is another popular spot with Santorinians, come here to kick back on the sands or feast on freshly made local treats in a handful of family-run tavernas. Getting there: A 10-minute drive from Fira. Riva Easily reached from Ammoudi's fishing port, the tiny island of Thirasia was part of Santorini before the volcanic eruption in 1600BC. Just opposite the volcanic atoll Riva's black-pebble beach has striking views of Oia. Getting there: In summer there's a ferry that makes the ten-minute crossing from Ammoudi Bay. Insider tip: Riva's only taverna is one of the island's best – order their Greek salad made with local chloro cheese. How we choose Every beach in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We consider a range of needs and styles, from lively bar-lined beachfronts to quiet coves – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest developments and provide up to date recommendations. About our expert Based in Greece for more than a decade, Heidi Fuller-Love is Telegraph Travel's Santorini expert. Endlessly wowed by those captivating caldera views, she loves visiting in winter when she has the famed volcanic island all to herself.
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.
