Greedy Greek - (Restaurants in Alykanas)

Julian P  (11 October 2005)         

Service verrrry slow. Food no better than anywhere else, comedy waiter disappeared when we started to complain about the hour wait for our food. A bit of a let down.

Dionisos - (Restaurants in Alykanas)

Julian P           

The only place we eat at twice. Always busy and bustling but still good friendly service. Good food with reasonable prices. A great place to eat.

Psarapoula Lemon Tree - (Restaurants in Alykanas)

Julian P           

A lovely place to eat, out of the main town, walkable but better to take the horse drawn carriage. Pleasant setting by the quiet (makes a change !) road and in the garden. Fantastic food, friendly waiters (no comedians or chuckers in) and all for a good price. Make sure you leave the main resort for at least one night to eat here !

Agia Kiriaki Studios - (Accommodation in Alykanas)

Julian P           

Don't expect much with the accomodation here, very basic and shabby, bathroom was a no go area, particularly as it was always under 2 foot of water from the shower. Maid is nice and smiles but does little else.

Pool area isn't too bad and the water was clean apart from the day someone hosed the pool side area into the pool. Small shop, cafe and bar. Staff are fairly friendly.
 
Desperately needs updating to keep up with the newer accomodation along the beach.

Agia Kiriaki Studios - (Accommodation in Alykanas)

Julian P           

click to enlargeclick to enlargeclick to enlarge

Here some pictures of the Neraida

Shipwreck Viewing Platform - (Places to Visit in Zante)

Julian P           

Tricky to find but worth it. Got intersting when two coaches arrived to supplement the three large camper vans and lots of cars already there. We made a quick getaway to avoid the chaos.

Great view of Smugglers Cove from the scary looking platform, looks like it should be able to take the weight. Abandoned cafe, shame as if done properly it could be a nice place to have a spot of lunch (no Pukka pies !)

Zakynthos Airport - (Places to Visit in Zante)

Julian P           

Oh boy ! All the comments here are spot on. Thankfully the new arrivals hall has been opened so far better than last year (2004) although still only a couple of carousels that randomly spew your luggage out - you need to keep and eye on both.

Departures is truely awful. First your penned into seperate areas outside and then gradually let into the tiny check in area, then back outside to queue for passport control. Just when you think the worst is over you pass into the departure lounge (lounge is a vast exageration) where you literaly fight for a place to stand. The reps run the outside part but they do a thankless job as it would be unbearable without their organisation and yet they still get moaned at.
 
Food and drink vastly overpriced - take some with you.
 
Even people scard of flying would be glad to get on the plane.

Alykanas Beach Hotel - (Accommodation in Alykanas)

Julian P           

The positive comments here are all correct, this is a nice place to stay. Modern, clean, next to the beach and the main resort and music is turned (about) 12.00 midnight. Staff are very professional and friendly and the clientelle are a cut-above the chicken-and-chips brits you often find on tour. There is Karaoke and bingo late at night for anyone feeling homesick.

There is a vast selection of restaurants and bars within walking distance but choose carefully as the quality does vary.
 
Only complaint was the pool which was very murky with myself and two sons got an ear infection - my eldest needing a 100 Euro doctors visit (nice work if you can get it). There was yellow 'gunk' in the jacuzzi so it had to be closed for the day (this empties into the pool) and human pooh found wedged behind the stairs. Urghh!
 
 

Mill Bar - (Bars in Alykanas)

Julian P           

click to enlargeclick to enlarge

As you stand at the bottom of the dusty road it's hard to envisage this as the best bar (that also serves food during the day) in the area. Julie and her Greek husband have worked hard to create a lovely place to relax, eat, drink and swim in their new pool. They also do a cracking Greek night, food is OK but the dancing is fantastic, a great lively night out !

Alykes Tourist Train - (Zante Excursions)

Julian P           

Surprisingly, this was actually a good evening out, and the kids (including a 14 year old MTV fan) were just as surprised. The rep (can't remember her name) makes what appears to be a bland museum quite interesting and everyone loved cheering and waving at every restaurant we passed.

Water Village - (Places to Visit in Zante)

Julian P           

Not sure what to expect with Zante not being a huge island, but not bad. Just about enough going on the fill the day and some of the slides are pretty wick ! Food prices are about what you expect. We booked the bus from Dionisysm travel (as always, cheaper then with the rep) which full.

Paradosiako - (Restaurants in Alykes)

Julian P           

Very busy, including a number of locals so it can't be bad. Unfortunately the service suffered. I appreciate this is Greece and things are a little slower but after waiting 45 minutes for a desert menu we had to ask someone, and then it took 30 minutes to deliver a couple of simple deserts - it got so late the kids were falling asleep. Shame, as it's a nice place with good food.

Blue Caves and Shipwreck Cruise - (Zante Excursions)

Julian P           

click to enlarge click to enlargePhotos of the boat

Water Village - (Places to Visit in Zante)

Julian P           

click to enlarge click to enlargePhotos of the water park

Shipwreck Viewing Platform - (Places to Visit in Zante)

Julian P           

click to enlarge click to enlarge click to enlargePhotos of/from the viewing platform

Alykanas Beach - (Beaches in Zante)

Julian P           

click to enlarge

At some points the beach isn't very wide and sometimes (e.g. outside the Alikanas beach hotel) you can barely squeeze a lounger between the back and the shore. The part on the right-hand side (as you stand and look at the sea) of the bay is far wider. Sand is generally good and is raked daily.

Water is crystal clear, clean and shelves into the sea very slowly so you can walk out a long way before it reaches your head - good for kids ! Water sports doing the usual low key activities including jet ski's. Clientele includes locals and everyone is generally well behaved (no gangs of drunken brits).

 

One down side is that if you walk down the shore to Alikes you come across some parts where property owners have extended their land (which is raised above the beach) out and over the beach - I am sure this isn't approved. So when the tide is in (the tide only fluctuates slightly) you find yourself scrabbling over rocks and steep sides trying to get either over or around - particularly a pain at night when it's dark and you have a moaning mother-in-law. Oh, and one tip – as you walk down the shore the small amateur sign pointing to Alikes is genuinely the way to Alikes and not a rouse by someone to make you pass their shop/bar/restaurant – the beach runs out soon after that point.

 

If you're into babe/hunk watching the beach is average, and generally the Greek ladies are far superior to the tourists. Overall, pretty good.

 
The photo is taken during June so quieter, and opposite the Neraida.

Alykanas Resort - (Resorts in Zante)

Julian P           

Typical Greek tourist village. Dusty roads meet at a cross roads which are strung with bars, restaurants and half built apartments. Most of the restaurants are Greek but there are a some either English owned or English themed bars either pumping out English music or showing the footie. The pavement often disappears so be careful as many of the locals fly around at dangerous speeds, particularly at night.

Don't get me wrong, I actually liked the place. Many of the restaurants were pretty good and the while resort can be busy and bustling it's far quitter and friendly than the rowdy 18-30 towns and you can have a good time and relax.

 

The beach at one end of the resort isn't bad and Alikes is close by which is a little busier.

 

No way Authentic Greek, but a good choice for the general Brit looking for good weather and something a little different. If you want McDonalds - go to Laganas.