Last minute Greece/Cyprus hints and tips please

catwoman73

For various reasons we haven't yet booked our late summer holiday. We would normally have a week in Mallorca in early September, but are now looking to go away from 24 September to 1st October (ie a week from Wednesday to Wednesday).

As we would like it to be quite hot, we are now thinking of Greece or Cyprus instead of Mallorca as the risk of the weather cooling down or rainy days is probably less.

But we have never been there so don't know much about it and are looking for resort suggestions- we are a couple in our early 40s with no children and would either like hotel B&B or self catering.

As it is short notice, I would have thought that a package would work out cheaper than booking everything separately. Reasonable standard accomodation but not expecting or wanting to pay for 5 star. Can fly from any northern airport (Leeds/Manchester/Doncaster/Liverpool). Don't want a clubbing resort. In Mallorca we have been to and liked Port Soller and Peguera and some of the small coves.

No particular budget in mind but we usually pay about £800 for a week's package for two in Mallorca or Tenerife so a similar amount would be fine, but obviously a cheaper late deal would also be good.

We don't speak any Greek so would need somewhere where the locals speak some English just for ordering meals etc although we could obviously try to pick up a few phrases beforehand for politeness.

We like sandy beaches where reasonable snorkelling is possible - not expecting Red Sea/Egypt conditions BTW and a few small local restaurants for lunches and evening meals along with access to a local supermarket. Some possible cultural or historical sites or national parks would also be good to give variation from the beach. Not bothered about shops or markets.

Any suggestions?

DomRavioli

I've been to most of the Greek Islands.
Stay away from Kos (Hellhole); Corfu is ok, but its getting chavvie; Zante was nice this year but still quite quiet; Kefalonia is pretty, but again quiet; Crete always has something to do, but can be very different to what people are used to.

Most places in Greece speak English (it is taught from 4 years old), so language shouldn't be a barrier, especially in touristy places.

Might be worth you having a look on somewhere like Travel Republic at prices - I got a week to Kalamaki in Zante in May (half term holiday as well) for £248 self catering (although the restaurant on site was cheap and did amazing food).

I've never been to Cyprus as its too hot for me

PompeyPete

If you decide on Cyprus, then don't stay in the [popular] Tomb of the Kings area in Paphos...

http://www.cyprusliving.org/phpbb/nfphpbb/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=54956

:eek::eek:

timbo58

However Paphos itself whilst touristy is a really good base to discover the Island -I'd definitely get a hire car too (watch out as this is the only place I've encountered so far in Greece that has speed traps!) as the Island is stunning if you get out & about properly.
Drivings on the left too, which is nice.
We stayed in the Tomb of the Kings road -a busy area -but the roads were being revamped then (2 years back) and it can be messy.

Hire a car whilst you're there though -we hired one direct from the airport and had a few issues with them holding onto a CC deposit so I'd always hire one 'in resort' now and from a known company if possible.

Everyone in Cyprus speaks English, helped by the fact there's a whacking great British forces base on the island and it was under British rule until 1960.

After mid september Kefalonia (my 2nd home for many years!) and the rest of the ionian is a little cooler and weather can be unpredictable.
Cyprus and Crete/Rhodes however are warm until late October, so a far safer bet.

PompeyPete

I think Paphos is too far west to be a really good base. Eg, the east of the island, Nicosia, or a trip to the TRNC are too far, and yep the cops might get you with their cameras [but you'll have broken the law anyway!].

And even attempting to do the east by road you'd be driving right into the morning sunshine going, and into the pre-dusk sunshine coming back, and it can be blinding.

So, if touring by hire car is on the agenda then I'd stay in Limassol. The east, west, or north (Troodos) will be little more than an hour or so by road.