Paxos in Greece

Greece is experiencing some troubling times and many tourists are nervous about booking a holiday there at the moment due to the difficult financial situation. Given the uncertainty it is worth remembering why Greece is such a special holiday destination.

I was lucky enough to be taken on holidays abroad from an early age and my parents’ destination of choice was the Greek Islands. I remember unspoilt islands with a slow pace of life and local tavernas serving Greek dishes alongside a glass of Retsina.

I was wondering whether this simple Greek charm was still possible and so visited Greece in search of it again. I chose Loggos on the island of Paxos in the Ionian Islands and booked myself and my family into a villa with a pool on the outskirts of the town.

We flew to Corfu and then took the ferry to Paxos. You can also travel by “Flying Dolphin” hydrofoil service. This is quicker but gets fully booked in the peak seasons. On arrival I was not disappointed as Loggos offered a simple charm with a cluster of tavernas surrounding the pretty harbour.

We settled in for a week’s stay and enjoyed the relaxed lifestyle that a villa holiday offers. We enjoyed the pool and also exploring the local paths through olive groves to find hidden beaches in pretty coves. We also hired a small speedboat as you can motor around the whole island in just a few hours. Perhaps the best thing we did was to find a deserted cove and drop anchor to swim and sunbathe. We continued by boat to Gaios, the main town in Paxos, and spent a couple of hours exploring the alleyways and churches before doing some shopping.

The beaches on Paxos are pebbled, but a trip in our boat to Antipaxos took us to glorious sandy beaches. These beaches can get crowded but were certainly worth a visit for one day.

The rest of our week was spent exploring the area, relaxing at our villa and enjoying the pool. Every evening we wandered into Loggos to eat at a taverna and watch the world go by.

Paxos is still quiet because it is a bit harder to get to. The ferry journey helps to keep the mass hoards away and the island manages to keep its Greek charm as a result. Did I find the unspoilt “Real Greece” that I remember? I would say that I did.

I mentioned the difficult situation that is ongoing in Greece and perhaps the best way to help Greece turn its economy around is to book a holiday there. And if you do book to go, in addition to helping the Greek economy you could have one of the best holidays ever!