Greece

View other editions of Greece.

An essential companion for travels in Greece - Rated
We have enjoyed using Alastair Sawdays guides to find really interesting places to stay in our travels in France and Italy. So when his Special Places to Stay - Greece - was published in February I was quick to buy a copy.
We have just returned from an Easter trip which included travel on mainland Greece and also to Corfu and Lefkas and am pleased to report that Alastair Sawday's new guide is an essential companion for travels in Greece.
We successfully used the book to find lovely overnight accommodation on our travels. First there was the delightful Ganimede Hotel (entry number 177) in the pretty coastal village of Galaxidi. We received a warm welcome from the new Greek owners with delightful rooms and a beautiful breakfast - with everything homemade, including the jams, chutneys and breads - just as described in the guide.
We then visited the mountain town of Kalavrita and stayed at Aphrodite's Inn (Entry 136) in two of the stone chalets at 'Georgios V'. A warm welcome again, beautiful mountain scenery and likely the best breakfast which I have ever eaten on the continent of Europe - designed to fill up skiers before they set off for the slopes!
The only mistake we found in the guide is that the two entries for Lefkas, numbers 115 and 116, were both closed for the winter, opening in early May, whereas the guide said they were closed "rarely". This is often the norm in Ionian Island accommodation, where islands are served only by direct charter flights.
For us it was particularly pleasing to find entries owned by two friends of ours in Greece. One is Villa Alexina in Corfu (Entry number 114), which is a delightful old Venetian house with wonderful views owned by our friends Alex and David. The other is Hotel Kastro (Entry 205) in Ioannina, run by Miltos Rittas. Ioannina is a delightful city on a beautiful lake and I think Miltos' hotel is the only one within the old city walls, as described in the guide.
We plan to use the guide again in future travels in Greece, with our next trip planned to return to the relatively unexplored Zagori area in North West Greece, where Alastair Sawday lists a number of interesting looking overnight stops, small hotels and inns for us to explore!

A wonderful addition to the series - a brilliant guide - Rated
Fans of Alastair Sawday's series will need no introduction and buy this new volume on Greece merely from the reputation of previous guides. And you will all find it just as rewarding, insightful and colourful - never mind useful - as the other guides.

For those who are new to Alastair Sawday's guides to places to stay, the Greece volume should be essential reading if you want to not only tour Greece but truly experience Greek living during your stay. Sawday's volume is well researched, thoughtful, and intelligent, providing consistent comments and comparisons to all places familiar as well as off the beaten track.

If you don't like packaged holidays and want to find your own special slice of Greece, far and away from the chain hotels, yet providing all the creature comforts, then Sawday's volume on Greece is mandatory. And once you've found it, savour it; that's what Alastair is trying to help you find.

Island hopping in style - Rated
Having used the French Bed & Breakfast book last summer and being enthralled by the place we chose in the Loire Valley, our initial decision this Christmas to go to the Cyclades islands of Greece for a fortnight this summer has been confirmed by the publication of this excellent guide.

Now you you can island-hop in style - no need to rough it as I did when a student many years ago, a form of Hellenic hell as I lumbered from campsite to doss-house.

The format is standard Sawday, with a stunning photo followed by a comprehensive outline description (which also points out elements that may not appeal to everyone, such as whether young children are welcome, or how far it is to the local shops and other amenities).
It is finished off with the essential information regarding location, price, contact details etc.

Almost all of the 200+ accommodations have a website, so more details can be acquired if necessary, and the maps in the book are concise and clear.

I think we are likely to use around 5 of these places on our trip, so for a couple of quid per stay, the book is also a bargain - then again it would be even if you used it just the once.

Alistair Sawday's Special Places to Stay - Greece - Rated
Looked forward to this new addition to the Alistair Sawday range of Special Places to Stay books. It does not disappoint. Well laid out and informative, Michael Cullen has given the reader an insight into the magic of Greece. I chose one of the recommended hotels during a recent visit to Greece. The description was entirely accurate and I would definitely go back to the same hotel in the future.

This First Edition does not cover the Sporades and a few other places but hopefully these will appear in future editions.

Pictures and descriptions of properties are inviting and excellent travel details are included.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to visit the "real" Greece.