Planos Beach Hotel - (Accommodation in Tsilivi)

Laura B           

My mum and I stayed at the Planos Beach July 2006 and we loved it. The staff were very helpful and friendly. A big thanks to all for making our stay very enjoyable. We had a lovely room overlooking the swimming pool and also had a partial view of the sea and a lemon grove. Being early risers, we could watch the sun rise over the bay which started our day off wonderfully. The facilities are excellent, there is a little shop that is a virtual aladdins cave with everything you could think of. The bar is well stocked and the cocktails were excellent. The Greek night was great with plenty of dancing, well worth a look as the food comes out in huge supply but you get to dance it off with the local dancers! The hotel is in a great location as it is just off the main road in Tsilivi which can get very busy and so is away from the noise and the beach is only a minute away. The hotel also has a lift which was ideal for my mum who could not always manage the stairs after a days exploring!. All in all, we had a great time there and were very sorry to go.

Day trip to Kefalonia - (Zante Excursions)

Laura B           

We went on the day trip to Kefalonia with Thomas Cook booked though our rep. A little more expensive than if you book in one of the agents in the street, but we knew it was going to be well worth it as the tour itself was extremely well organised. We sailed from St Nicholas Port, (which is beautiful) and was on the ferry for approximatley 1 hour 20 minutes. The cost of the ferry for those hiring a car and going under their own steam is 4 euros each way. We were taken to the Drogarati Cave which is breath taking, but for those who are a little astmatic or who have difficulty with steps might want to stay at the top and visit the little shop or have an icecream as the cave is 95 metres down. We were also taken to Mellisani Lake which is simply beautiful. Booking with Thomas Cook, we were able to get special passes (for a little extra cost, but hey you're on holiday) which enabled us to go straight through as you can be queueing for quite some time to get down to it. The boat ride is great with very entertaining rowers, and who are also happy to take your photograph in the sunlit area. We had lunch in the little town of Agia Efimia where the local speciality is beef pie and that is very tasty! We stopped off at Myrtos beach (or 500m above it) which gives you a fantastic view and an excellent photo opportunity. If you are afraid of heights, this could be slightly heart stopping for you as on the way back to Argostoli you take the coast road which is quite exhilirating to say the least. But the coach drivers are very confident and skilled and they do not go at the speed of light! The trip lasts the whole day but you get taken care off and you also get to learn a little of the history, myth and legend provided by the experianced tour guide. Definately worth a do.

Tsilivi Resort - (Resorts in Zante)

Laura B           

Tsilivi is very bustling which many shops and restaurants to chose from. The only problem we had with it was the main road running through it, which was very busy, with lorrys, coaches, cars and mopeds coming at you from all directions. However once you picked a side of the street to walk on, the choices were amazing. We ate at a different place each night and there are plenty of shops to go in. We had breakfast at the two brothers and a big thanks to Kostas for helping me with my Greek! The cocktails at the Two Brothers are also fantastic. We did have a great stay in Tsilivi and was an excellent base as it was only 10 minutes from Zante town by bus (1.10 Euros each way). There is always something happening in Tsilivi and you won't be dissappointed you went there.  

Blue Caves and Shipwreck Cruise - (Zante Excursions)

Laura B           

We didn't go the the smugglers cove, but went on a 'sunkissed cruise' which was in a word sublime. We spent the day on the boat touring the southern coast of Zante, going past the carreta-carreta reserve, stopping at the Keri Caves for photos and wondering at the magnificent scenery. One the way back, the boat stopped at a quiet cove were nearly everybody jumped of the ship into the aquamarine waters for a swim, a snorkel is a must! We then went onto another bay were the boat moored up for three hours and we were treated to a barbeque, more swimming and watersports. We decided to stay on the boat for great sunbathing without the sand and our meal was bought to us by one of the ships crew - service or what! There was a small bar that served drinks, food and icecreams, shaded areas and a full blown sun deck for the serious sunbathers. Take plenty of sun screen as a day on the boat is worth three days on the beach. I would highly recommend this trip as it was the highlight of our stay in Zante. This was booked through our rep and again thought slightly more expensive than the high street agents it was well worth it. The tour guide Steve was english and had a great sense of humour. The boat was great and there was a kids club to keep the kiddies amused. This is the memory of Zante I will keep in my head forever, feet dangling over the side of the boat whilst slipping though the calm blue and aquamarine ionian sea, with the sun turning your skin a golden brown. I was so relaxed by the end of it I had trouble walking to the coach! It's got to be done