Greek Island holiday

[Turkish]

38 minutes ago, Farmer Saint said:

The star system is a joke anyway. People who say "it said it was 5* but barely 3*" clearly don't understand that star ratings are based on facilities, not on actually luxury status of the property. At times, they go hand in hand, but most of the time it's about "Do you have an indoor pool? Do you have a laundry service? etc etc".

yes the trip advisor NOT EVEN 2 STAR ranting reviews always make me laugh. A few years back I actually wrote a scathing review on a hotel a went to about the other guests. What lazy, arrogant fuckers they were. All of them moaning about what was a nice hotel and what did they expect for the money. Some weird bloke ran across the restuarant to take a picture of a pile of used plates, presumably to as evidence of what a shit hole it was. 

Edited June 12 by Turkish

[whelk]

4 hours ago, Turkish said:

 

Please report back. I’ve heard good things, beautiful, cheap like Croatia was 25 years ago so sounds good

We went there a few years ago. Loved it and beautiful scenery. Didn’t overly explore as was quite a lazy break but definitely recommend.  Obviously quite similar to other Balkan countries 

[iansums]

Fuck me it’s hot here at Lake Garda

[Winnersaint]

On 12/06/2026 at 10:02, Saint Marky said:

It was Skala mate. The hotel was a Tui 4 star, it wasn’t, barely 3 star! Can’t complain, the food and beer were good, local spirits ok. The hotel ran a shuttle bus to the main Skala beach, but never bothered going, we just walked across the road, down some steep steps to the bay. The locals went there, though it was never busy, so we knew it wouldn’t get any better than that. It really was beautiful there, get yourself there mate, you won’t regret it!

Where were you, San Giorgio? 

[egg]

Has anyone done Naxos? The missus has mentioned it and it looks good. 

[Gloucester Saint]

51 minutes ago, egg said:

Has anyone done Naxos? The missus has mentioned it and it looks good. 

Not been myself but know people who have and it’s bigger than I’d credited it for. Probably a bit more to do than the smaller islands for a week’s holiday but without the hustle and bustle of Crete or Corfu (both of which I have been to).

Neat guide here which made me keen to visit it!

https://santorinidave.com/naxos

[Saint Marky]

4 hours ago, Winnersaint said:

Where were you, San Giorgio? 

Yes, have you stayed there?

[LVSaint]

11 hours ago, egg said:

Has anyone done Naxos? The missus has mentioned it and it looks good. 

Visited Naxos many years ago (late 90's) and it was lovely. Really nice harbour with temple ruins and charming port town to explore. Plenty of bars and nightlife but not overrun, then. Hopefully it's still ok. Nearby tiny island of Iraklia is great if you want to find some seclusion. Another big island, Paros right there and close enough to Santorini by high speed catamaran ferry if you fancy it too.

[Winnersaint]

14 hours ago, Saint Marky said:

Yes, have you stayed there?

No, but i have chatted to folks that have. Not heard a bad word spoken about it and that pretty much goes for everywhere in Skala. I've stayed in the village centre a couple of times; at Panorama overlooking the square at the top of the steps and Costa Azzurra which an odd little hotel above the ice cream parlour opposite the church. This year, like two years ago I'm at 9 Muses which I cant fault. Sentimental attachments to the Skala aside it is just a great little place. Plenty of good quality places to eat, got to try some new ones this year where I've never eaten before. On our first visit in 1987 on our honeymoon there was no road to Poros everything ended at the Tara Beach Hotel so it's spread out a bit along the coast road without losing any of its charm.

Edited June 23 by Winnersaint

[Hamilton Saint]

19 hours ago, egg said:

Has anyone done Naxos? The missus has mentioned it and it looks good. 

It's a key travel hub: you can fly to Athens and then get a quick connecting flight to the airport in Naxos. It's also on the ferry route through the Cyclades from Piraeus to Santorini (and on to Crete). After flying to Naxos, you can also get ferries west to Paros, or south and east through the Small Cyclades (Iraklia, Koufonisia, and Donousa) to Amorgos.

As far as Naxos itself, it depends what you're looking for, of course. If you want to spend a lot of time at the beach, it would be ideal: a string of beautiful sand beaches running along the west coast, south of Naxos Town. If you like to explore small rural villages, you can rent a car. We did that--rented a car and did a clockwise loop drive through the high hills, which have some spectacular scenery, stopping at Apollonas, Koronida, Apeiranthos, and Filoti. You could also stop once or twice and then go for an extended hike, if you enjoy trail walking. The main town of Naxos is quite attractive, with a beautiful walk out to the picturesque Temple of Apollo (Portara) on the north end of the harbour.

Naxos is one of the largest islands in the Cyclades. It can be very crowded in the high season--too busy for my liking. But the size of the island allows you to rent a place away from the main town, where you could enjoy quiet trails and beaches. And it's Greece, FFS, what is not to like?!

[Winnersaint]

1 hour ago, Hamilton Saint said:

And it's Greece, FFS, what is not to like?!

Absolutely.

 

[egg]

Thanks folks, that's brilliant. Sounds good. 

[iansums]

At Lenate Milan airport, unbelievably rude customs official, not to me but to the Mrs. The Italians have been so welcoming until this wanker.

[AlexLaw76]

With the weather we are having you don't need to go on holiday broad.

 

[Turkish]

4 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

With the weather we are having you don't need to go on holiday broad.

 

You probably wont live to make another holiday anyway

[AlexLaw76]

1 minute ago, Turkish said:

You probably wont live to make another holiday anyway

very true,

The weather, Russia or Brexit will finish us off.

Edited June 24 by AlexLaw76

[Gloucester Saint]

16 minutes ago, iansums said:

At Lenate Milan airport, unbelievably rude customs official, not to me but to the Mrs. The Italians have been so welcoming until this wanker.

Il Soggychino

[Lord Duckhunter]

1 hour ago, iansums said:

At Lenate Milan airport, unbelievably rude customs official, not to me but to the Mrs. The Italians have been so welcoming until this wanker.

I’ve found Italians to be incredibly friendly or fucking incredibly rude, there doesn’t seem to be anything in between. 

[iansums]

1 hour ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

I’ve found Italians to be incredibly friendly or fucking incredibly rude, there doesn’t seem to be anything in between. 

Very true. To be fair I did tell the wife it was unwise to wear her ‘I love Nigel’ T-shirt.

[ecuk268]

2 hours ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

I’ve found Italians to be incredibly friendly or fucking incredibly rude, there doesn’t seem to be anything in between. 

I worked for an Italian-owned company for many years and one of the common characteristics of the many that I met was politeness. Always greeted with a handshake and, even if you disagreed on something, it was never antagonistic.

The one negative was that they often told you what they thought you wanted to hear.

[Turkish]

32 minutes ago, iansums said:

Very true. To be fair I did tell the wife it was unwise to wear her ‘I love Nigel’ T-shirt.

Id have thought they'd have loved her given they are all far right racists

[iansums]

3 hours ago, Turkish said:

Id have thought they'd have loved her given they are all far right racists

Nah, I think this guy was a miserable socialist, like some of the ones on here.

[Saint Marky]

On 23/06/2026 at 15:46, Winnersaint said:

No, but i have chatted to folks that have. Not heard a bad word spoken about it and that pretty much goes for everywhere in Skala. I've stayed in the village centre a couple of times; at Panorama overlooking the square at the top of the steps and Costa Azzurra which an odd little hotel above the ice cream parlour opposite the church. This year, like two years ago I'm at 9 Muses which I cant fault. Sentimental attachments to the Skala aside it is just a great little place. Plenty of good quality places to eat, got to try some new ones this year where I've never eaten before. On our first visit in 1987 on our honeymoon there was no road to Poros everything ended at the Tara Beach Hotel so it's spread out a bit along the coast road without losing any of its charm.

Yes, it was an enjoyable, relaxing week there and I would definitely go back. I know some people don’t understand the star rating and think it’s done on facilities , but obviously the Greeks inflate the star rating, as the higher the rate, the higher the tax charged to stay. Taking in the factors like location, amenities, standard of service, food/ drink quality and choice, and the room quality and size, as I said you’d probably say it was just about 3 stars, but for what I paid and received, no complaints!

[Lord Duckhunter]

On 12/06/2026 at 13:25, Turkish said:

 

Please report back. I’ve heard good things, beautiful, cheap like Croatia was 25 years ago so sounds good

Just finished a week on Budva Riveria. Beautiful beaches, fantastic weather & clear seas. 
 

A lot more touristy than Albania, but very similar in beaches and landscape. The beach vibe was more Italian with expensive beach clubs. Some of the sunbeds were ridiculously expensive, particularly the front row and like Italians they get there early as well. There were minimum spends at some as well,  €50 for the beds plus minimum €150 spend in bar & restaurant connected. 
 

Overall pricing a lot more than Albania but cheaper than France & Italy. Food was good, but make sure you’re not on a diet. Their culture is that it’s an insult if your guests go home hungry, and fuck me they make sure you don’t. The portions are huge. Fucking cats everywhere as well. 

Couple of things surprised me, the English wasn’t great. I’m not one for wanting foreigners to speak my language, but all I’d read said everyone spoke it. They don’t, some really struggled & it’s not like France or Germany where you know a bit yourself, google translate was out a lot more than in Albania where pretty much everyone spoke good English. The service was also a bit hit and miss. Whereas the Albanians had Greek like hospitality, these were more French or Italian, particularly the youngsters. The hotel staff were great, but out and about, not so much. Loads of Serbians at least 30% of staff we spoke to were from Serbia & walking round in a Saints polo shirt twice had lads coming up to discuss Tadic. 
 

How did it compare in the most important categories of beer & birds. There was no comparison, Albania wins by a mile. All the bars in montinegro were the usual imported Carlsberg/ Carling shite. The local stuff was ok when cold, but was horrendous if you didn’t neck it quickly. The local stuff in Albania was decent. The chicks in Albania are different level as well. 
 

It was a great place, but preferred Albania. Whereas the snap dragon preferred Montinegro. There’s no doubt this coast & Puglia the other side is my favourite part of Europe. 
 

If you want a “wing & a prayer” type holiday, will there be a power cut, broken card machines, bit edgy, in a place which will change beyond recognition soon, choose Albania. If you want the normal tourist trip in a beautiful location which is good value, easier to get to, but is more expensive, choose montinegro. My advice would be take 2 weeks and do both, you won’t regret it….

[Gloucester Saint]

3 hours ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

Just finished a week on Budva Riveria. Beautiful beaches, fantastic weather & clear seas. 
 

A lot more touristy than Albania, but very similar in beaches and landscape. The beach vibe was more Italian with expensive beach clubs. Some of the sunbeds were ridiculously expensive, particularly the front row and like Italians they get there early as well. There were minimum spends at some as well,  €50 for the beds plus minimum €150 spend in bar & restaurant connected. 
 

Overall pricing a lot more than Albania but cheaper than France & Italy. Food was good, but make sure you’re not on a diet. Their culture is that it’s an insult if your guests go home hungry, and fuck me they make sure you don’t. The portions are huge. Fucking cats everywhere as well. 

Couple of things surprised me, the English wasn’t great. I’m not one for wanting foreigners to speak my language, but all I’d read said everyone spoke it. They don’t, some really struggled & it’s not like France or Germany where you know a bit yourself, google translate was out a lot more than in Albania where pretty much everyone spoke good English. The service was also a bit hit and miss. Whereas the Albanians had Greek like hospitality, these were more French or Italian, particularly the youngsters. The hotel staff were great, but out and about, not so much. Loads of Serbians at least 30% of staff we spoke to were from Serbia & walking round in a Saints polo shirt twice had lads coming up to discuss Tadic. 
 

How did it compare in the most important categories of beer & birds. There was no comparison, Albania wins by a mile. All the bars in montinegro were the usual imported Carlsberg/ Carling shite. The local stuff was ok when cold, but was horrendous if you didn’t neck it quickly. The local stuff in Albania was decent. The chicks in Albania are different level as well. 
 

It was a great place, but preferred Albania. Whereas the snap dragon preferred Montinegro. There’s no doubt this coast & Puglia the other side is my favourite part of Europe. 
 

If you want a “wing & a prayer” type holiday, will there be a power cut, broken card machines, bit edgy, in a place which will change beyond recognition soon, choose Albania. If you want the normal tourist trip in a beautiful location which is good value, easier to get to, but is more expensive, choose montinegro. My advice would be take 2 weeks and do both, you won’t regret it….

Interesting, thanks.

Looks a good place https://lifeontheroam.com/budva-montenegro/ although Budva in need of some Budvar by the sounds of it.