We're back ......

[metalmickey]

Hi Shelley
Glad you enjoyed Skiathos. Probably a little quieter in mid July. Gets very busy in August and very hot. The bus is a real must and at tea time they are packed. Sometimes you have to get off to let people out and then push and shove to get back on again.
We have friends with a house there and now we don't have to go in school holidays we intend to go back. Lovely beaches on the northern coast.
Interested to hear Joey's take on Formentera. We were regular visitors in the 90s and fell in love with the island and we still love the natural beauty. Unfortunately it has been totally ruined by excessive tourism and avarice. What was once a peaceful place to holiday is now swamped by young Italians on scooters, quad bikes and cars.
The natural beauty you can't change but almost everything else about the island has and for the worse. Our last visit was August 2011 and we do not intend to return. Where in the world is there such a place where you can enjoy privacy, calm and beautiful surroundings and return home totally relaxed and itching to get back. For us Formentera was that place and now it is lost forever because only the very rich can afford to spend time there.
Thank you for posting the pics. I was trying to identify the location and I guess it is on the west side looking out to the mainland. Yes?
Mike (metal mickey)

 

[mid life crisis]

Ah, Troulos is one of our favourite holiday destinations, stayed at the Astoria Hotel last June.
Did a bit of travelling round the island, it really does take some beating & the people are great

 

[MrsZ3Cade]

We're thinking going to Sardinia , any suggestions would be a great help

Looks like you had a wonderful time, bet you are both lovely and tanned! We went to Sardinia for our honeymoon and stayed at the Hotel Costa Dei Fiori and can't recommend it enough. Is remote enough to have peace and quiet but you can hire a car and drive into the nearest towns in 5-10 mins. We booked with Citalia who have several hotels and resorts in Sardinia xxx

 

[Shelly]

Hi Shelley
Glad you enjoyed Skiathos. Probably a little quieter in mid July. Gets very busy in August and very hot. The bus is a real must and at tea time they are packed. Sometimes you have to get off to let people out and then push and shove to get back on again.
We have friends with a house there and now we don't have to go in school holidays we intend to go back. Lovely beaches on the northern coast.
Interested to hear Joey's take on Formentera. We were regular visitors in the 90s and fell in love with the island and we still love the natural beauty. Unfortunately it has been totally ruined by excessive tourism and avarice. What was once a peaceful place to holiday is now swamped by young Italians on scooters, quad bikes and cars.
The natural beauty you can't change but almost everything else about the island has and for the worse. Our last visit was August 2011 and we do not intend to return. Where in the world is there such a place where you can enjoy privacy, calm and beautiful surroundings and return home totally relaxed and itching to get back. For us Formentera was that place and now it is lost forever because only the very rich can afford to spend time there.
Thank you for posting the pics. I was trying to identify the location and I guess it is on the west side looking out to the mainland. Yes?
Mike (metal mickey)

Hi Mike we were on the south side , like you say where else can you go on holiday and just hear nothing, only the crickets lol, we went to Skiathos 8 years ago and stayed in the same apartment , and we also got the same room this time lol, we always go to small and friendly places , it's a shame that when you find a place you like ,that it changes over time , we went to Santorini about 15 years ago , we would love to go back but don't want to ruin our memories as we no it would of changed , it's a shame really , but their are plenty of other places to explore , we're having a look at the internet where to go next year so we have a holiday to look forward too

 

[Shelly]

Looks like you had a wonderful time, bet you are both lovely and tanned! We went to Sardinia for our honeymoon and stayed at the Hotel Costa Dei Fiori and can't recommend it enough. Is remote enough to have peace and quiet but you can hire a car and drive into the nearest towns in 5-10 mins. We booked with Citalia who have several hotels and resorts in Sardinia xxx

Thanks Caroline will have a look at your hotel on the internet

 

[Shelly]

Ah, Troulos is one of our favourite holiday destinations, stayed at the Astoria Hotel last June.
Did a bit of travelling round the island, it really does take some beating & the people are great

We were only a 2min walk from Astoria we passed it every day on our way to the beach or getting a taxi , it looks a lovely hotel , did you ever eat in sunrise taverna, as at the back of that was our apartments Thanos , it was a lovely peaceful place

 

[metalmickey]

Hi Shelley
It appears we do the same things. We returned to Skiathos the second time and stayed at the same apartments with a lovely pool. The property was at the end of a lane and was very, very peaceful and such a lovely setting. Sergios in Koukanaries is the place if you ever want to have a try at somewhere different.
I went to Santorini in the 80s and it was very different to some of the other Greek Islands. Ended up in Paros which was idyllic. Lovely beaches and very quiet. We stayed at Pisa Livadi for about £3.00 a night bed and breakfast. That was when Greece was value for money albeit a bit basic.
Running out of ideas now. The trend to day is for beach beds and huge canopies with music blaring out to create the atmosphere. Not my scene. I go on holiday to relax and soak up the culture and the sun but the 'beautiful people' want much more than that.
I sound like a boring old fart but I am not really.
Nice to chat.
Mike

 

[Shelly]

Hi Mike we went to Koukanaries beach , it was very busy , with lots of local people as well as holiday makers like us , we were like sardines laying on our sun beds , it's a shame as was a lovely beach and sea looked lovely , we walked their that day it took us about 40 mins , but was worth the walk , as we could look at all the other places that you miss when you are travelling via taxi or bus , we also like to relax soak up the sun and culture , as when were at home were always busy , so no you are not the only people who like the quiet life when you are on your holiday

 

[joey]

have sent an email to my mate bobo for aheads up on the latest in sardinia..

will post his reply..(after I have corrected the grammar and spelling!)

best


Joe

 

[joey]

Mickey, just read your post on Formentera and sadly have to agree!

however I have a suggestion/solution, we go in september when the italians have gone! try it then it much improved.

not only are the prices much reduced but there are half the people..nothing is closed but it all takes on a lazy sunday kind of a feel..as end of season does.

its still sadly nothing compared to how it was even 10 years ago, i'm afraid due to its proximity to Ibiza this was always going to happen..so as stated earlier me and the Mrs are looking for our "new Formentera"

any suggestions are welcome

 

[Monty]

Glad you got home okay, Shelly, amazing pics and even though very hot!!!, it looks like you & Alan had a cool time!!!

Don't think Alan needed a iron very much, judging by the temp & constantly being waist deep in water!!!

Looking forward to catching up at Gransden on 24th Aug.

Mike & Sandy

 

[metalmickey]

Hi Joey
Thanks for your reply and helpful suggestions. If we do go back then it will most certainly be out of season. We have been late May/early June and September but that was before Formentera became an island off Napoli!
The Italians were extremely well behaved and polite, a credit to their families but there was just not enough space to relax. We went to Les Illetes early one morning to take photos of the beach how we used to know it. By 12.00pm it was full, not a half metre of sand to roll out a towel.
We started to pack up and there was a queue for the space we were vacating. I joked with the guys that the charge was 10 euros for the spot. When we got back to the car park we couldn't see our bikes for scooters.
In the 90s were would share that beach with no more than twenty people, mainly naturists. This culture was brought to the island by the hippies in the 60s and it is noticeable how it is almost frowned upon now by the Italian tourists. They prefer to show off there designer swimwear rather than get an all over tan!
The whole cultural thing has changed so much and that is probably why it does not have the same appeal anymore. We certainly enjoyed the freedom that was on offer which was entirely at each individuals discretion. There were no rules just a respect for your fellowman's choices.
If we find a new Formentera we will let you know however it could take a long time.
Best wishes
Mike

 

[hard top]

Hi Shelly, you mentioned Santorini, love the island and have been there a few times.
Always staid at a small hotel with a private beach in Kamari.

 

[Shelly]

Wow that looks a lovely place , what is the hotel called , when did you last go their , we were also in kamari and stayed at a place called ira , it was lovely , like I say we would love to go back but don't want to have our memories of a lovely quiet place taken away ,

 

[bonzo]

Where did you stay , we were in Troulos , very quiet , just what we needed, like you say lovely people , it was our 2nd time their

We've been to Skiathos twice, staying at The Troulos Bay Hotel. Very nice, super folk and a very clean Island

Next year we're going to Dianaros.

 

[bonzo]

Just been invited to an insurance convention on Totalos

 

[hard top]

Wow that looks a lovely place , what is the hotel called , when did you last go their , we were also in kamari and stayed at a place called ira , it was lovely , like I say we would love to go back but don't want to have our memories of a lovely quiet place taken away ,

Hi Shelly, its called Bellonias Villas. We were last there a couple of years ago and in August, peak season, and I did not find it that busy considering the time of year. The hotel is situated towards the end of the boulevard which helps. Great to lay on the beach and have your drinks bought to you...ha ha.....

http://www.belloniasvillas.com/

 

[t-tony]

Lazy toad.

 

[bonzo]

Hi Shelly, its called Bellonias Villas. We were last there a couple of years ago and in August, peak season, and I did not find it that busy considering the time of year. The hotel is situated towards the end of the boulevard which helps. Great to lay on the beach and have your drinks bought to you...ha ha.....

View attachment 7605 View attachment 7606

http://www.belloniasvillas.com/

My wife brings me my drinks....and pays for them!

 

[t-tony]

Lucky,lazy toad.