MISSING OUR TRAVEL FIX

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.

February 8, 2021

Travelling to Paxos with Covid-19 Safety Protocols – What To Expect

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 15^th 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 16^th 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!

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!”

July 19, 2020

PAXOS FAQ’S

When is the best time to visit Paxos?

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

August 16, 2019

Moor a Hire Boat on Your Doorstep

For many people, the concept of a relaxing holiday is not to be dependent on a car. The smaller Greek islands are therefore conducive to chilling on foot and not slumped behind a steering wheel.

On most of the Ionian islands you can hire fibreglass boats and larger ribs with outboard engines ranging from 30HP to twin 350HP. A speedboat license is required for engines over 30HP.

Hiring a boat with outboard engine is a fun and to many, an out of the ordinary way to explore an island. Distances on the Ionian islands are not large but a few special properties have a mooring spot within a stone’s throw:

ON PAXOS

Angelika (sleeps up to 5) is a 2-minute walk to Gaios waterfront.

Averto Avalli’s (sleeps up to 6) doorstep is Gaios waterfront.

The Levrecchio Beach Villas (each sleeps up to 4) are a 4-minute walk to Loggos waterfront.

Marina (sleeps up to 15) has a mooring point at the bottom of the gardens.

Mermaid Cottage’s (sleeps up to 2) doorstep is Loggos waterfront.

Sula’s Apartment ( sleeps up to 6) is an olive stone’s throw away from Gaios waterfront.

ON ITHACA

Dora’s House (sleeps up to 7) is a few steps away from Vathy waterfront.

Limonia (sleeps up to 8) is a short stroll to the Vathy waterfront.

Marmika House (sleeps up to 4) is 50 metres away from the Vathy waterfront.

The Kioni Suites (sleeps 2) are 10 paces away from the Kioni waterfront.

ON MEGANISSI

Waterfront Villa (sleeps up to 4) is 50 metres away from Vathy waterfront.

ON KEFALONIA

Katy’s Apartment (sleeps 2) has complimentary bikes and the Fiscardo waterfront is a 2-minute bike ride away.

Sonia’s Apartment (sleeps 2) and Villi’s House (sleeps 6) are a 5-minute stroll to the Fiscardo waterfront.

February 28, 2019

Tag: Paxos villa holiday