Day trip to Kefalonia - (Zante Excursions)

Garry C           

just a shortish reply to both Tina & Karen with regards to their question on ferries to kefalonia.There is only one crossing a day usually departing approx 8.00am and returning approx 8.00pm in port of skinari.You can either go on foot or take a car which i have done before but you must get permission from your rental operator to take it off the island ,this is usually no problem.the crossing is about 1 hour 30 mins ,you can buy tickets in the port and i'm guessing now because its 2 years since but its about 30 euros return for car and 2 passengers.You are better off in a car if you want to explore and anyway the ferry docks in a place called pessada which is a good few kilometres away from the main town of argostoli and even further away from the other main attractions of this island.The ferry is called the Ionian Pelagos.Hope this helps you,me and my partner & 3 others are in zante {tsilivi}end of july and i will be considering doing this trip again,it would be even better to stay over for 1 night to give more of a chance to see this beautiful island.

Porto Vromi - (Places to Visit in Zante)

Garry C           

In my opinion this is the only way to see the shipwreck.Not only do you get to enjoy the beautiful scenery on the way there but when you get there its uncrowded and really peaceful.The boats are small enough to go right into the blue caves and the captain encourages you to jump in and have a swim and this is just on the way there!It is only a short journey {20 mins}and when you get to the wreck you have no problem getting off the boat has it can get right up to the beach unlike the bigger tour boats that have to transfer you to smaller boats or sometimes cant even dock because of windy conditions.You stop for approx 1 hour then return to porto vromi where you can also sunbathe on the little beach,take a pedaloe around the rocks {recommended as they usually have glass bottomed view finders so you can see clearly all the way to the sea bed}.All in all to spend say 30 euros on a car for the day as opposed to 30 euros to be sat on a crowded noisy boat for 1 hour + theres no comparison and i should know because i've been 5 times to the wreck but only ist time by an organised tour.BRILLIANT! AND DOING IT ALL AGAIN THIS AUGUST!

Apollon Hotel - (Accommodation in Tsilivi)

Garry C           

Hi Sam,

been three times, know Dennis and his family ,and Dimitris very well.The number is 00 30 26950 23503 but dont ring before end of april as there will be nobody there.Say hi to them all from me {Garry a.k.a the apolis bars tribute to elvis}.If you need anymore help dont hesitate to contact me on this website.Good Luck. 

Passage to Asia - (Restaurants in Tsilivi)

Garry C  (11 November 2005)         

This restaurant used to serve very nice food about five years or so ago but we called in this year and tried the buffet and it was horrible.The so called spare ribs were disgusting and stunk to high heaven.The rest of the food wasn't any better.Give this place a wide berth there are lots of better eating places in tsilivi than this and cheaper too.You have been warned!!!!!!

Two Brothers Bar - (Bars in Tsilivi)

Garry C           

Been here on numerous occasions over the years and it is just about the best bar in tsilivi.The brothers costas and tassos are always the same whenever you see them and the service is excellent ,music great and the bar is always busy with everyone in the holiday mood.10/10

Busters - (Bars in Alykanas)

Garry C           

Been to busters on numerous occasions over the years from the time of opening to present.Know Lesley,Peter,Ron and Jackie from when they worked at the greedy greek in 1996,when we went back in 98 they had their own bar.Even on the last three times that i've stayed in tsilivi i've always been over to say hi.Food is still as good as ever and lesley always does me a wicked j.d & coke.If your reading this Lesley say hi to everyone and no doubt i will be seeing you again sometime.Cheers to the best bar in Alykanas from Garry {Halifax}.

Apollon Hotel - (Accommodation in Tsilivi)

Garry C           

click to enlargeclick to enlargeclick to enlarge

Just a few photos.Not brilliant as i've no digital camera .

Busters - (Bars in Alykanas)

Garry C           

Oh dear!! the " when in rome " bleaters are here again.I've been all over Greece and i like to eat 'stifado,dolmades,mousaka,saganaki,greek salads etc.I like to sit in a greek taverna by the waters edge drinking ouzo or metaxa.But i also like to eat the odd nice english meal and have a pint of beer and be entertained,not to mention meeting new friends and socialising.Many mums and dads with young kids find a place like busters a godsend because it keeps their kids happy and means they can enjoy themselves too.This is a tourist resort with bars and restaurants purposely built for tourists,there are plenty of other places within Greece where these bleaters can go if they want to experience the real Greece but they might have to share with the other bleaters!!! Baa baa

P.S Or try METEORA {LOOK IT UP}

Day trip to Kefalonia - (Zante Excursions)

Garry C           

The best advice i can give is to do this trip off your own backs.Hire a car get permission to take it off the island from the rental company {usually not a problem as long as you ask them}.Drive up to the port at skinari and get the ferry {usually departs about 8.00am}.Once you have got to the other side the day is at your leisure.You can stop when you want, go where you want and see what you want before getting back to the port for the ferry {departs about 6.oo - 6.30pm}.It might seem a bit daunting having to drive onto the ferry but its quite easy really as they usually guide you in.It might work out to be a little more expensive than an coach trip unless you hire the car for say 3 days on a buy 2 get one free offer then you get to see all of zante too.Just get a good map and give it a go.Ive done it both ways and i know which way id do it next time.Better still if your adventurous spend an extra 25- 30 euros and book a room for the night in Lassi then youve got all next day to explore too. 

Merlis Car Hire - (Car Rental in Zante)

Garry C           

Used Merlis twice now in as many years.Booked it with Julie by e-mail and both times she has done me proud.The same jeep{kia sportage 4x4}with other companies was a lot more expensive.Even though i was staying in Tsilivi both times the delivery and pick up are in with the price and on time.Hired for 7 days each time and had no probs whatsoever.My only advice to people driving in zante is to always slow right down if not stop when a car is coming the other way on the narrower roads because ive seen cars in the roadside ditches by trying to pass one another at speed.I have drove in zante on virtually every holiday bar one and ive been 8 times and i have been ok just by sticking to this rule. 

Busters - (Bars in Alykanas)

Garry C           

I think its me whos hit a nerve Mike.If you dont want to be " negative " as you put it keep your comments based around whether you liked the bar or otherwise not on the people who like to go there.If i really didn't like going abroad would i want to go.....DOH!!!. I always go flight only so i'm not making your hol cheap, sorry old boy.{p.s do you know the price is going up next year mmm curious}.And on the burger thing if your gonna buy me one better make it early on cos your probably tucked up in bed by 9pm thinking of what you can "moan" about,maybe " a slightly fussy child " or very loud and irritating neighbours" { of which you wouldn't get on Meteora }or " over zealous salespeople " with " chicken in spit" { this time the greeks get ridiculed for not being able to spell correctly in english,hows your greek???}.All the previous statements and theres probably more, you might have thought would want to make you stay at home ????? mmmm curious!! Happy days!!

Palm Tree Bar - (Bars in Alykes)

Garry C  (22 November 2005)         

Always liked it here whenever we spent the day at alykes beach.The food is excellent and service too.The beachside location means you dont have to travel far from your sunbed and the views are really nice whilst you relax with a large mythos.Will always go back. 

Tsilivi Beach - (Beaches in Zante)

Garry C           

This year i went on the flyfish.It was as extreme as it gets and certainly not for the light hearted.It was excellent fun but hanging on like you have to makes your knuckles rub up and down and also you come off feeling like popeye with pumped up forearms.If you like extreme sports then i would say go for it but for those who are thinking dare i or daren't i the message would be opt for the ringos instead.The only bad side of the watersports is of course the price but for a one off time what the hell cos at the end of the day you are on holiday.Happy flyin!!

Apollon Hotel - (Accommodation in Tsilivi)

Garry C           

Hi again Sam,

this year they actually had leaflets on the bar with the prices on but i can't remember how much they said. All i can say is that i have been in July/August for the last two years and for a twin room with safety box,fridge,air con and continental brekkie i 've paid approx 430 euros which is about £300 for 2 weeks which works out at £21.50 a night which is an excellent price for the time of year.The hotel wont be in any brochure over here so ringing them direct is the only way.The only problem with this time of year is that its very busy bookings wise with other foreign tourists and Dennis only keeps so many rooms back for people like ourselves so get in early as i said before ring around end of april start of may and get a price.If poss ask to speak to Dennis's sister as she will understand you better over the phone.Good luck and once again i'm here to answer any queries you might have.

Busters - (Bars in Alykanas)

Garry C           

Hi again Mike,

if i offended you in my comments im sorry but you did the same with your original comments.This is the end of the matter and i hope you have many more happy times in Zante cos i know i will.

Plaka Beach - (Beaches in Zante)

Garry C           

Visited Plaka again this year and it still seems to stave off the crowds.The beach is sandy and the sea clear if not just a touch cold at first but you soon get used to it.The little snack bar offered free sunbeds on the little grassy area as long as if you needed refreshments you bought it from there.There are purpose built canopies to shade your cars too.I would say its well worth a visit if only to stay for a couple of hours or so before moving on to another of the fine sandy beaches that you find down this area of Zante. 

Zeus - (Restaurants in Tsilivi)

Garry C  (29 November 2005)         

You will probably have a lot worser meal in other restaurants than at the Zeus.I know Spiros from his days working at the Heaven bar in Alykanas in 1996 and hes been running this restaurant for a few years now and it always seems to get busy,one time we even went for a drink next door whilst a table came available then he just shouted over when it was ready.I must recommend the Beef Stifado,the meat was lovely and tender and the sauce and shallots tasted great too.Never had a bad meal here yet and whenever i visit tsilivi i will make it one of my first meals of the holiday.