You might feel hesitant about an Ionian holiday in October. Will the weather be ok? Will sufficient ferries be operating? Will tavernas and shops be open?
A few of us from the office travel to the Ionian in October in order to see property owners, take new photos, find out what changes are planned for the following year and then to check the local cuisine, sample new wines and gauge sea temperatures!
This year we spent the second week of October on Paxos.
A few wispy clouds on the last day but otherwise clear blue skies and temperatures in the late 20’s. We stayed on the west coast – hypnotically vibrant sunsets.
West coast sunset
With the good weather, nearly all of Paxos’ tavernas and café bars planned to stay open until the end of October. Supermarkets and shops were well stocked. Fruit aplenty: fresh canary melons, peaches, nectarines, grapes, pineapples, kiwi fruits, bananas – to name a few.
Sea temperature seemed warmer than August and we tested it every day – such is our dedication to getting our facts right!
Marmari beach
Morning temperatures of early 20’s make for perfect walking conditions. The sides of roads and donkey paths bordered by swathes of wild cyclamen and crocus. Branches of olive trees starting to droop with the weight of ripening olives. Black olive nets ready to catch the winter crop.
Roadside cyclamen
Paxos Cats
Village cats basking in the afternoon sun. Local islanders enjoying the peace and quiet of a waterfront cafenion. Hire boats being taken out of the water to leave village waterfronts with colourful wooden fishing boats. Gaios fish market selling an abundance of freshly caught fish. The opportunity to commandeer deserted beaches. The beautiful blues of the sea within sheltered coves below hillsides of olive and cypress trees.
And then, all too soon, the wake-up call to leave and return to colder, greyer shores.
Departing Paxos at sunrise
Corfu airport comparatively busy but a recently opened airside lounge offers a peaceful escape with comfy seating, complimentary snacks and drinks and even a porter to escort you to the lounge via a fast track security check. Ask us for details!
New Corfu Airport Lounge
Try an October break to the Ionian – the perfect tonic to prepare for winter back home.
Hello, let me introduce myself, Sue, Ionian Villa’s contact on the beautifully un-spoilt island of Ithaca and wedding planner of stylish bespoke celebrations. I moved to Ithaca approximately ten years ago after living on Kefalonia for many years and after meeting my husband!
Ithaca was no stranger to me as often I would hop on the ferry from Kefalonia to visit this special island. After planning our own wedding, I decided to combine and channel my local knowledge, organizational skills, and language ability, establishing Ithaki Weddings, to assist other couples realise their dreams of hosting their weddings in such a unique location.
Waterside churches, private villas, olive groves and secluded beaches are just some of the locations and venues my brides have chosen.Taking inspiration from the islands’ natural beauty every wedding I plan and design is bespoke to each couple ensuring that their dream day is exactly as they envisioned.
Villa venues are always popular offering complete privacy for the perfect intimate wedding or elopement.
A beach wedding is the dream location for many, with so many secluded and beautiful beaches around Ithaca’s rugged coastline it’s a tough choice to make, but a beach accessible only by boat is always the first choice for many couples.
Ithaca is a truly magical island which once visited is very hard to forget, a local legend implies ‘that if you cup your hand under the Kalamos spring and drink its’ ice-cold water you will return again to Ithaca’.
If like me you’ve fallen in love with Ithaca and dream of hosting your own destination wedding on the island, contact me and together we will make it happen.
We understand the continued anxiety that you will all be feeling about when your future plans can be realised. Not just holidays but a general return to a sense of normal life.
All six of us Watrous’
at Ionian Villas have flights booked during May as part of our early season
island visits to meet our villa owners and look at prospective new properties.
We wait to see if these visits will be possible.
We keep in regular contact with all our villa owners and we know that Greece is desperate to welcome you this year. Continued lockdown measures in Greece are still in place and a national rollout of vaccines (click here for details) are hoped to ensure a safe welcome for visitors this summer.
Our booking conditions
ask for a final balance payment 8 weeks before the booking start date. In order
to hold on to bookings and to show understanding and goodwill, nearly all of
our villa owners are happy to be flexible on this so if you need to wait a bit
longer for a confirmed green light to travel (fly) – please speak to us and we
will let you know how flexible the villa owner can be.
Directors’ Lockdown meeting
Alex and Catherine’s children, Archie & Norah, are growing fast – no house is big enough for lockdown kids. Alex spends any free time on his passion for trail running. Catherine runs after Archie & Norah. Vivienne has a yoga & pilates routine and David waits for the garden to break into Spring mode.
Like you, we miss
Greece passionately and we hope that travel will be possible so that all of us
can heave a happy sigh of relief on a deserted Ionian island beach in the not
too distant future.
The Best-Shaw family are regular visitors to Paxos and this
year they were our first clients of the season to experience the journey after Greek
airports opened to British airlines on 15th July.
Here is their report of the experience:
“We weren’t sure what to expect on our journey to Paxos this
year but I’m pleased to report that it was far easier and less stressful than
usual.
Early morning of 16th July – we arrived at
EasyJet check-in to find no queue and were checked in within two minutes. We
then sailed through security to find a relatively quiet departure lounge where
everyone was social distancing. There were a few shops and food outlets open,
all with minimal queues.
The plane was almost full, with everyone wearing masks but
very civilised boarding and disembarking with passengers and crew respecting
the EasyJet guidelines. There was a reduced trolley service and no hot drinks
but you are allowed to take your own food and drinks on board and remove your
mask while eating and drinking.
On arrival at Corfu airport the plane parked just outside
the terminal so we could walk to passport control, which was very efficient and
went smoothly. Approximately forty people off our flight were selected for a
Covid test. One member of our party was tested which only took a couple of
minutes. She was not told to self-isolate and was never contacted with the
results.
The baggage claim was quick and efficient and no risk of not
being able to social distance due to the reduced number of flights arriving.
There were plenty of taxis available at the airport, we all
wore masks, as did the driver and he kept the windows open.
The Hydrofoil from Corfu to Paxos was busy, but there were seats blocked off to enable groups to be separated. This was the only part of the journey where wearing a mask was not very comfortable due to the heat – but a small price to pay as Paxos quickly came into sight!
A Paxos beach to escape the crowds
We are now ensconced at Eagle’s Nest and will not feel daunted by the journey home when it comes.
On Paxos we have been made to feel welcome – a genuine friendliness coupled with a respect for safety guidelines. We wish we could have self-isolated here for the last 3 months!”
Paxos has three ports and the central
village of Magazia. Magazia means “shops” and was once the main shopping centre
of the island (it even had a ginger beer maker!). In surrounding valleys and on
olive-clad hilltops are family hamlets consisting of a cluster of houses and a
family church or two.
When the island was more self-sufficient
(important when winter bad weather could prevent any supplies reaching Paxos
for weeks on end) and the olive was king, a well-trodden network of pathways
connected villages and hamlets with olive groves, vineyards, pasture land,
terraces of wheat, schools, shops, friends and a supply of water.
During the British occupation of the Ionian
islands in the early 19th Century, tracks (wider than the goat
paths) connecting the three island ports were turned into a central road –
donkey tracks became a donkey road!
During the earlier, four centuries of
Venetian rule, cisterns to collect rainwater were introduced to island house
building. River and stream beds still traverse the island with fast flowing
waters in the winter but the only source of natural spring water was and still
is just above Erimitis beach on the west coast.
A series of stone-floored pathways,
bordered by dry stone walls, lead from the hamlet of Boikatika (the hamlet of
the Boikos family) down a wild valley of untended olive groves to a point above
Erimitis Bay where soaring limestone cliffs look down onto a chalky turquoise
sea.
A steep, stepped path winds down to the
spring’s source and a well, enclosed by stone. Even in the heat of summer,
water oozes and seeps through the rock face to give life to a variety of small
wild plants, just above the sea.
In 2008 a large chunk of limestone cliff broke
away and slid into the sea. What was a rocky inlet beneath the cliffs suddenly
became a beautiful beach of limestone and pulverized stone – now turning into
golden sand.
Look carefully at the surrounding hillsides
of maquis and myrtle and you will see the remains of stone houses and overgrown
terraces, which were once cultivated – a perfect place to live with fresh water
on your doorstep. Prime position is now given to two modern villas at the top
of the last flight of steps to the beach but there is still a dominant feeling
of a rich, green wilderness, framed by the Erimitis cliffs.
First glimpse of Erimitis cliffs
There is now a road down to the last flight
of steps but parking is nigh impossible so choosing one of the ancient
footpaths is the advisable (and more interesting) alternative. Tall olive and
cypress trees provide a canopy of shade and the first views of the cliffs and
blue sea are breathtaking. A good path to choose starts close to the cat
feeding station on the track leading from Magazia to Erimitis Sunset Bar.
Old untended olivesStart of the last sectionFinal flight of steps to the spring
Take a stick to carefully detach spider webs and a non-plastic container to drink from the Erimitis well (you will find a bucket & rope attached to the well’s lid). On my last visit I saw “I was here” styled graffiti on the rock face close to the well – resist the urge to leave any mark of having been there and enjoy its natural beauty – one of Paxos’ many treasures.
Remember to take a spider stickDescent to the beachErimitis Spring
On Paxos there are 2 organisations dedicated to the preservation of the island’s heritage and culture Volunteers of Paxos and Friends of Paxos – they work with the Paxos Municipality to open, clear and maintain the network of ancient footpaths on the island.
Corfu Old Town has preserved the fine
architecture of Venetian, French and British occupation; a stroll through the
maze of narrow streets will enamour both the historian and the romantic
sightseer: tall Venetian houses with flaking pastel plaster; a maze of cobbled
shopping streets; fruit and fish markets; simple and sophisticated restaurants;
the people-watching bars of the Liston beside the cricket pitch and an exciting
hustle & bustle.
A pleasant 2 kilometre coastal walk from the
central Liston takes you along a stone-flagged esplanade, lined with purple
blossoming Judas trees, skirting the sea and passing grand, Venetian waterfront
houses, to the seaside windmill of Anemomilos. Here there is a wooden pontoon,
used by fishermen and bathers and a small beach used by the locals of Garitsa.
Garitsa is a peaceful escape from Corfu
town and has a good selection of tavernas and cafebars, all with dramatic views
across the bay to the Venetian fortress.
100 metres from Anemomilos is the Royal
Baths – a delightful beach, bar and restaurant retreat at the foot of Analypsis
Hill, forested by pine and cypress trees.
Royal Baths barRoyal Baths beachRoyal Baths beach
At the top of this hill is the Mon Repos
Palace, surrounded by 250 acres of colourful gardens and a series of pathways
leading to the remains of the 7th Century Hera’s Temple and 6th
Century Kardaki Temple, just above a small beach. This is believed to be Corfu’s
ancient city centre.
Mon Repos Palace
The Palace was built in 1826 by the British
Commissioner, Frederic Adams, as a gift to his Corfiot wife, Nina Palatianou. The
Palace then became the summer residence of the British Governors of Corfu and
when the Ionian Islands were united to Greece in 1864, it was gifted to King
George I of Greece.
Prince Philip was born here in 1921. During the Italian occupation of Corfu, in the Second World War, the Palace became the residence of Parini, the Italian Governor of the Ionian Islands.
On 13 December 1967, King Constantine was
forced to flee the country, following an unsuccessful countercoup against the military
junta. He remained the head of state in exile until the junta conducted the
1973 Greek republic referendum, which abolished the monarchy.
Legal battles about the Palace’s ownership
lasted for almost 30 years, during which time it fell into disrepair. Restored
in the 1990’s, the Palace became State owned and is now looked after by the
Municipality of Corfu. It houses the Palaeopoli Museum, displaying works of
art, furniture and historical documents about the estate.
The Royal Baths was once the private
bathing beach for the Greek Royal family and friends residing at Mon Repos
Palace on the hill above. It is now a little-known seaside escape from the
world outside. Hidden by high walls, there is an open-air restaurant, a
beachfront bar, lawned areas shaded by tall jacaranda trees and bordered by well-kept,
Victorian changing huts (and outside showers), a wooden pontoon and sunloungers
beside a sandy beach.
Royal baths pontoonVictorian changing hutsIn June 2018 Archie had a lot of fun relaxing at the Royal Baths before heading to Paxos!Chilling in a hammock
Highly recommended as a relaxing break for those staying in Corfu Town Liston View Apartment, the Liston View Apartment has a special, central location. Or for those with a few hours to kill in between leaving for or arriving from Paxos – Corfu airport is just a 5-minute taxi ride away.
Visit Ithaca any month of the year and you will never be part of a crowd. Ithaca has no cruise ships and no crowded beaches. Athens based Ithacicians will return for their summer break in August but there are still many deserted beaches to be found.
April & May: Normally mild with lots of sunshine and the one-off shower. The olive groves are carpeted with wild flowers – ideal conditions for trail walking. Rivers and waterfalls that have dried up in the summer months are flowing.
June: Pool and sea temperatures are comfortably warm and the views to offshore islands are crisp and clear.
July & August: Higher temperatures, warmer seas and more visitors to the island.
September: Perfect conditions for escaping the crowds but still with high temperatures.
October: similar to May.
Are beaches sand or pebble?
Apart from some beautiful sandy beaches in Afales Bay (only
accessible by hired boat), all beaches on Ithaca are pebble and fine shingle.
Most of the beaches are natural (no sunloungers etc) and usually deserted. The
following beaches have “cantinas” (serving drinks & snacks): Filiatro,
Vathy, one of the beaches in Kioni Bay, Aetos, Marmaka, Gidaki, Polis Bay.
Polis Bay beach has sunbeds and umbrellas, toilets, showers, kayaks for hire –
all supervised by Takis the beach manager .
Life on Ithaca tends to be low key. There are a few music
bars on the Vathy waterfront but the other villages are for those wanting a
quieter alternative to city living. Family activities on offer include boat
hire, kayaking & paddle boards at Filiatro Beach just outside Vathy, scuba diving,
snorkelling trips; hiking trails, electric bike hire.
Eating out costs?
There is a good selection of tavernas in all the island’s
villages plus a few off the beaten track. In the main they will be traditional
Greek cuisine with Mediterranean twists & fusions. The average cost is
around 30 euros per person for a 3 course meal including house wine – freshly
caught fish however, will be more expensive.
There are some excellent and very innovative waterfront
tavernas in Frikes.
The house wine offered in tavernas is usually very good but
there are now some very good Greek wineries on so well worthwhile trying them.
Kioni Taverna
Is it easy to buy fresh fish?
You can often buy fresh fish direct from the fishing boats
on the harbour front during the mornings. You will also find a fishmonger in Stavros
and Rigos (the man with the fish van) sells in all the villages.
Are supermarkets well stocked?
You will find everything you need. Most also sell fresh
fruit and vegetables. Many have a butcher’s and a deli counter. British
products are readily available, although may be more expensive.
Local Store in Rachi, Kioni
Do supermarkets sell gluten free/dairy free products?
The majority of the larger supermarkets sell a good range of
dairy and gluten free products. Supermarkets in coastal resorts will also
generally sell them, although the range may not be as good as in the larger
supermarkets.
Do supermarkets deliver?
Most supermarkets and minimarkets are usually happy to
deliver to local properties providing you spend a reasonable amount in their
shop.
Are pharmacies well stocked?
Yes – and more treatments available over the counter than in
British chemists. You will also find well known brands of baby formula and more
specific baby supplies that may not be stocked in the supermarket such as
creams, dummies etc.
There are 3 chemists: 1 in Stavros and 2 in Vathy.
Are credit cards widely accepted?
Most shops, supermarkets and tavernas now accept
credit/debit cards but you’ll get a bigger smile when paying in cash.
Best parts of the island to stay?
Ithaca’s east coast hillsides of olive groves, pine and
cypress forest, shelve gently to small coves – with distant views of the Greek
mainland. Ithaca’s west coast is steeper and has dramatic views to the east
coast of Kefalonia.
The seaside villages of Kioni and Frikes are picture
postcard pretty. Vathy is more of a working town but has beautiful views across
the bay to the east coast of the island.
The drive from Frikes, in the far north, to Vathy, in the
south, takes around 30 minutes so wherever you stay, you are never far from a
beach or village.
View over Vathy Bay
How child friendly is Ithaca?
Greeks love children and Ithacicians are no exception.
Very few pools are gated and some gardens can be uneven with
prickly shrubs. Most tavernas have a
childrens’ menu or are happy to provide child-size portions.
Is Ithaca good for boat hire?
There are boat hirers in Vathy, Kioni and Polis Bay. A
speedboat licence needs to be shown for hiring a boat with an outboard over
30HP. Hiring a boat is the best way to find your own private beach and to
explore the coastline.
Frikes
Are there good medical facilities?
There is a Medical Centre in Vathy and a smaller medical
centre in Stavros. The GP and Head of Vathy’s Medical Centre is a good heart
surgeon!
Ferry service to other islands?
There are ferry services connecting Ithaca with Patras and
Killini on the mainland, Kefalonia and Lefkas. The ferry from Piso Aetos on
Ithaca to Sami on Kefalonia takes just 30 minutes – alternatively, private
speedboat charter takes just 15 minutes.
April: Normally mild with lots of sunshine and the one-off shower. The olive groves are carpeted with wild flowers – ideal conditions for trail walking. Rivers and waterfalls that have dried up in the summer months are flowing. Sea and pool temperatures are still bracing.
May: Similar to April but with warmer temperatures and most of the rivers will just be trickles.
June: Pool and sea temperatures are comfortably warm and the views to offshore islands are crisp and clear.
July & August: Higher temperatures and warmer seas but more visitors to the island.
September: Perfect conditions for escaping the crowds but still with high temperatures.
October: similar to May.
Are beaches sand or pebble?
The south coastline
of the island is generally sandy with gently shelving beaches. As you go
further north they become a mix of sand and shingle. In the far north they are mostly
pebble beaches.
Makris Yalos BeachAlaties
What is there to do for teenagers?
Although
the biggest island in the Ionian group, Kefalonia is not really a destination
for those looking to party as it is relatively low key. There are a few
nightclubs in the capital, Argostoli, one in Fiskardo and one outside Skala,
but generally the nightlife revolves around cafes and cocktail bars and the very
occasional Makris Yalos beach party during high season.
Watersports
are available at Skala, Lassi, Xi and Antisamos beaches. You can hire motorboats in many of the ports and some
beaches and there are a number of organised boat trips to explore the coastline.
Also to be found are kayaking, pedaloes, bicycle hire (including electric bikes),
scuba diving, jeep safaris, caving and paragliding.
Drogerati Caves
Eating out costs?
In the coastal
resorts you will find many tavernas catering for all tastes, in the main they
will be traditional Greek cuisine with Mediterranean twists & fusions. The
average cost is around 30 euros per person for a 3 course meal including house wine
– freshly caught fish however, will be more expensive.
Strike
inland and sample small village tavernas and you will find cheaper fayre.
The house wine offered in tavernas is usually very good but there are very good wineries on the island so well worthwhile trying them.
Simple Taverna FayreTrapezaki Beach Taverna
Is it easy to buy fresh fish?
You can
often buy fresh fish direct from the fishing boats on the harbour front during
the mornings. You will also find fishmongers in Argostoli, Skala, Sami and
Lixouri.
In some
areas there is a “Fish Man with a Van” who drives around the villages selling
his freshly caught fish.
Are supermarkets well stocked?
You will find everything you need. Most also sell fresh fruit and vegetables.
Many have a butcher’s and a deli counter. British products are readily
available, although may be more expensive, and you can also find stores selling
Waitrose and Tesco products!
Do supermarkets sell gluten free/dairy free products?
The majority of the larger supermarkets sell a good range of dairy and
gluten free products. Supermarkets in coastal resorts will also generally sell
them, although the range may not be as good as in the larger supermarkets.
Do supermarkets deliver?
The larger supermarkets will not deliver. Smaller supermarkets and
minimarkets are usually happy to deliver to local properties providing you
spend a reasonable amount in their shop.
Are pharmacies well stocked?
Yes – and more treatments available over the counter than in British
chemists. You will also find well known brands of baby formula and more
specific baby supplies that may not be stocked in the supermarket such as
creams, dummies etc.
Are credit cards widely accepted?
Most shops, supermarkets and tavernas now accept credit/debit cards but
you’ll get a bigger smile when paying in cash.
Best parts of the island to stay?
Kefalonia’s landscapes are diverse.
In the centre, the foothills of Mount Aenos fall to pastures, olive
groves and vineyards.
To the south, the foothills lead to gently shelving, soft sandy beaches –
perfect for children. Many of the sandy
beaches have sunbeds, unbrellas and beach cantinas – the more “off the beaten
track” beaches are wild & natural. The airport is in the south, so shorter transfer
times. The island’s capital, Argostoli, is also in the south – here you will
find the larger supermarkets, more choice with shops and the island’s most
famous residents: the Loggerhead Turtles, locally named Caretta Caretta. Views
in the south are generally over crystal clear turquoise waters across to the
neighbouring island of Zakynthos.
In the north the beaches are mostly pebble with only a handful having
sunbeds and umbrellas. The northern coastline has small coves with crystal
clear water – perfect for snorkelling.
Fiskardo is a magnet for yachts and is nicknamed the St Tropez of the
Ionian by the locals. Views from the north are Ithaca, Lefkas and the mountains
of the Greek mainland.
Fiscardo
How child friendly is Kefalonia?
Greeks love children and Kefalonians are no exception. Most of the coastal
resorts have pavements and therefore good for pushchairs.
Very few pools are gated and some gardens can be uneven with prickly
shrubs. Most tavernas have a childrens’
menu or are happy to provide child-size portions.
Family friendly Kefalonia – Alex & Archie 2018Archie and Cat Kefalonia 2018
Is Kefalonia good for boat hire?
Kefalonia has many boat hire companies. A speedboat licence needs to be
shown for hiring a boat with an outboard over 30HP. Hiring a boat is the best
way to find your own private beach and to explore the coastline.
Are the ferry services reliable?
Ferries can sometimes be affected by high winds. There are regular
ferries to the Greek mainland: Kilini in the North Peloponese from Poros and Patras
and Astakos from Sami. There is also a direct ferry to & from Brindisi in
Italy during July and August. You can also get to the neighbouring islands,
Ithaca from Sami, Lefkas from Fiskardo and Zakynthos from Pessada. A regular ferry goes from Argostoli to
Lixouri Town, halving the driving journey time.
Are there good medical facilities?
There is a general hospital in Argostoli with an A&E department. There
is a smaller hospital in Lixouri dealing with minor issues as well as medical
centres in Skala and Sami. Throughout
the island and in the resorts there are private doctors, who will charge for a
consultation.
There are dentists in Argostoli, Lixouri, Sami and Poros.
April: expect some rain but usually a month ahead of northern Europe so beautiful Spring days – perfect for walking & wild flowers.
May: warmer but could still rain. Perfect month to escape the crowds and meet locals when they are not so busy.
June: temperatures can be high but less humidity so good visibility/views to mainland mountains & other islands.
July & August: Hotter temperatures and warmer seas but more visitors to the island.
September: Sea at its warmest, kids back at school, locals not so stressed.
October: similar to May.
Olive Grove in May
Are beaches sand or pebble?
Most of the beaches on Paxos are pebble (beautiful clear water) but a 15-minute boat ride away are the sandy beaches of AntiPaxos.
Kloni Gouli Beach
What is there to do for teenagers?
Paxos will not appeal to those looking for all night music bars (Castello Night Club, just outside Gaios, is the exception) – each of the 3 ports has a variety of waterfront café & cocktail bars for all ages. For activities there’s a watersports centre and 2 tennis courts. Families who enjoy boating can hire boats and ribs with 30HP to twin 350HP engines. There are two local companies who organise kayak excursions and walks to hidden island parts. A recently opened gym in Gaios can be used on a day to day basis. There are 2 scuba diving centres and in Gaios, a shop for fishing tackle.
Eating out costs?
In most Greek villages you will have a good choice of tavernas to suit all budgets and tastes. A simple, traditional meal with a half kilo of house wine should cost around 20-30 Euros per person. Select octopus carpaccio rather than stuffed peppers or a wild mushroom risotto rather than fresh sardines and you might spend more. There are now many excellent Greek wines but as most come from small wineries they can be expensive (10 – 20 Euros in the shop & perhaps double that in the taverna) but do try them if you can.
Is it easy to buy fresh fish?
During the busier months of the season most of the locally caught fish is bought by the taverna owners (put on ice & on display in each taverna). You will find fishermen selling their fish from their boats on each village waterfront around 8 – 9am. Otherwise there are two fishmongers in Gaios
Gaios fishmonger with patient audience
Are supermarkets well stocked?
Yes! From Alpen or avocados to zucchini. Good deli counters, big variety of pasta, diverse fruit & veg, drinks galore and even marmite (shame on you). Each village will have a bakery with assorted breads & pastries.
Do supermarkets sell gluten free/dairy free products?
Some supermarkets, in particular the supermarket in Gaios High Street, stock a range of products for food intolerances such as dairy free milk, rye bread, rice cakes and other gluten free snacks and confectioneries.
Do supermarkets deliver?
Yes – most do but the busier the season the harder it is for them so check.
Are pharmacies well stocked?
Yes – and more treatments available over the counter than in British chemists. You will also find well known brands of baby formula and more specific baby supplies that may not be stocked in the supermarket such as creams, dummies etc.
Are credit cards widely accepted?
Most shops, supermarkets and tavernas now accept credit/debit cards but you’ll get a bigger smile when paying in cash.
Best parts of the island to stay?
On an island 7.5 miles by 2.5 miles you are never far from a taverna, a beach, a shop, total seclusion or village hubbub. Your holiday view is important – west coast views are over a big sea, aerial displays of seagulls & swifts & birds of prey against a backdrop of white cliffs and valleys of cypress trees; east coast views are across the sea to the mountains of the Greek mainland and a soft Paxos coastline of olive groves , peppered by tall cypress and wild myrtle. Try both coasts!
East Coast
West Coast
How child friendly is Paxos?
Children are welcomed everywhere on Paxos. The terrain however is not so friendly towards toddlers. Most of the villas will have split level terraces and gardens and only a very few swimming pools are “gated”. Tavernas have a good choice of child friendly dishes and the Greeks love their ice cream almost as much as the Italians
Villa Loula Swimming pool is separated by a gate for extra toddler safety.
Is Paxos good for boat hire?
Paxos is great for boat hire. There are boat hirers in Lakka, Loggos and Gaios. Fibreglass boats & ribs with outboards from 30HP – twin 350HP (Speedboat License required for over 30HP). A fun way to explore the coastline, beach picnics and visit AntiPaxos beaches.
Loggos boat hire
Are the hydrofoil/ferry services reliable?
From time to time the Paxos/Corfu hydrofoil and fast boat service can be affected by mechanical problems or bad weather. If your flight to Corfu is delayed you might miss a hydrofoil/fast boat departure. Our Paxos manager will put a Plan B in place to ensure that you are looked after.
Any other languages spoken by locals?
Most locals will speak/understand English and Italian. French and German by a few. If you hear a language unlike any other, it could well be Albanian – the Albanian population on Paxos is about 20% of the total.
Are there good medical facilities?
There is a well-run clinic in the village of Bogdanatika, not far from Gaios, and two doctors. Gaios has a good dentist.
Archie is now 19 months old and has been travelling with us on our trips to Greece since the age of 6 months! Our little man has done several flights including one long haul and he really seems to be getting the hang of it now… as do we! Alex and I often get asked how we find travelling with a young baby/ toddler. So, I thought I would share with you some of our tips, including useful gadgets and good advice given to us along the way.
The Flight
Firstly, try not to over-fret! 90% of people on the flight have probably had children of their own or have children in their family so they know it isn’t easy travelling with little humans. Cut yourself some slack – if your baby starts crying don’t worry, try and stay calm – your baby will sense your anxiety and it will only make things worse.
Snacks, snacks and more snacks. Now Archie is a toddler we pack as many snacks as we can. We try and go low sugar so he doesn’t get too excited on the flight!
If your little one is walking, try and tire him/her out as much as possible in the airport. If they want to walk up and down the aisle on the flight – stay close but again don’t worry about the occasional passenger scowl – most people understand. A three hour flight to Greece is a long time for a child to sit still.
If your baby is on formula you can pre order this from Boots up to 5 working days before you fly and pick it up in the terminal … it’s really handy. You can also do this with baby food too!
To help with ear popping on the flight a friend told me to try to feed your baby their milk at take-off and landing. The sucking really helps regulate the pressure.
Fun pack … we always pack a little fun pack for Archie full of some of his favourite toys along with some new exciting ones to keep him busy on the flight and for the holiday. But don’t forget to hold some back for the flight home!
Our favourite holiday must-haves and gadgets
Bullabaloo muslins – these muslins are great and so versatile. I particularly like the large size. I used mine for snuggling Archie up on the plane and when he was small they were great for creating shade or as a blanket at the beach. https://bullabaloo.com/collections/new-muslin-swaddles/products/muslin-swaddle-blue-cloud
Once out of a pram it’s a great idea to invest in a lightweight travel pushchair. Our friends who also travel a lot recommended the baby jogger buggy, it folds up easily and has a travel bag with straps. http://babyjogger.co.uk/product/city-tour/
Greek tavernas will make you and your children feel welcome. Many have highchairs and some even have toys/crayons etc. Sometimes we like to go off the beaten track so we take a travel highchair with us – it’s great for beach picnics and can be strapped to any chair. https://summerinfant.co.uk/product/pop-n-sit-booster/
Our top toddler friendly villas
When choosing a holiday villa it can be hard to know which ones are toddler-friendly. Here are our Ionian island favourites ….
Paxos
Elissa– sleeps 6. The property is all on one level with plenty of outside space and shade. Also within walking distance of Lakka bay which is great when you have a buggy.
Kefalonia
Artemis–sleeps 5. The villa is all on one level with lots of grass for burning off some toddler steam!
Ithaca
Limonia – sleeps 8. A great location in the centre of Vathy port close to a children’s play-park. The villa also has an enclosed, fenced-off pool area.
Corfu
Kalami – sleeps 4. A spacious modern villa in large grounds with plenty of grass around the pool.
Lefkas
Nicholetta – sleeps 4. The villa has an enclosed lawn and swimming pool area. It is a 10 minute walk to Agios Ioannis beach which has a few tavernas and a sheltered swimming area at one end. Lefkas town is also only a 10 minute walk via a flat track.
If you would like any further advice you can always give us a call or email. We have been to all our villas and can help pick the best one for you and your family.
