Nefeli Studios Reviews

We'd say Skala Potamia can be a really excellent venue depending upon which part of the beach you are situated. We were staying at the Nefeli which is middle of the bay and the beach there had a few stones at the edge which kept the crowds away despite the sand being beautiful 2 metres out which suited us fine. However, the resort was extremely busy at both ends and the busier of the two ends was far too commercialised for our liking (ref the unslightly dodgems on the seafront). Think the resort is in danger of overdoing it if it's not careful.

The sea was wonderfully clean and clear though as was our accomodation which was basic but clean and modern and really close to the sea.

We hired a very competitively priced jeep from Speedys whom I wouldn't recommend as we sure got what we paid for, it was well knackered (too uncomfortable to drive) and attracted the attention of the police in Thassos town! Subsequently hired a smaller vehicle from Potos who were excellent all round.

We went on a couple of trips organised through Thomson, Macedonian experience and Sunshine Cruise (Thomson were excellent by the way) but without really enjoying them. They were quite expensive and we didn't really know enough about them prior to booking. Our fault for not checking how much travelling was actually involved but the details we were given were at best sketchy and at worst inaccurate.

Travelled round the island a fair bit and contrary to a lot of what I've read here we thought the island more commercialised than we expected/hoped for. Thassos town though was a really nice place with good atmosphere. In fact we didn't find anything better than Skala Potamia where fortunately the wasps wern't as much as a problem as we experienced elsewhere. By the way if they hassle you too much tell the waiters to light up some coffee as it really does the trick.

No shortage of good restaurants especially our favourite the ";Green Sea"; and the cusine was certainly improved from our last visit to Greece some 4 years ago but we did notice the prices were not as cheap as they used to be. Perhaps we eat a lot as evening meals for 4 ranged between 50-80 Euros!

Finally a word of warning about some of the sharp practices of a few of the local proprietors. We really got fleeced on the first day when my children bought an inflatable for 45 Euros from the Grand Market (next to Flisvos restaurant). Later found them for 15 further down the road. Subsequently found the owner has a bit of a reputation (see other comments on this site. Another tourist had been charged 6 Euro for 6 bread rolls! Also spent a fantastic ";Greek night"; at the Alkioni.Entertainment, food and wine were superb so we returned the following week. We thought we had established a good rapport with the Taverna owner who seemed genuinely pleased to see us back. However, end of the evening he spoilt it all by attempting to withold our change hoping we were too well oiled to notice. We had to really stick to our guns to get it back which soured the whole experience. Ironic thing is that we'd have probably left it all as a tip anyway as we'd had 2 really excellent evenings. We've been to Greece many times and never come across this type of thing before and it was very disappointing.

Know it probably doesn't stack up with what I've said but don't get me wrong the holiday was on balance still very good yet in our opinion there are more traditional unspoilt islands than Thassos out there and we will not be returning.

Location of Nefeli is great 5 mins stroll to lovely part of beach.Room small but spotless,even had shower curtain and toaster linen changed every day ecept sunday.Only snag pool really small and owners son left to run bar not avery friendly chap. but not a problem as beach so close.Resort itself very laid back most relaxing.Tomanis right on beach really friendly good for lunch when you can force yourself off sunbed.Terry likes to fish,but I didnt feel uneasy laid on baech on my own.

Hired car for 2 days really preetty island.If you like late night drinking go to golden beach to Irish bar run by mick and wendy.Mick must be oldest hippie in town,live music twice aweek.We were there when Greece won cup night to remember,and morning as we didnt get home till 6.30.So if you want alaid back holiday you must go.The Greeks no agood thing and they holiday their.

yassus Sue Terry.

An excellent holiday. A fairly late booking and pretty inexpensive......first two weeks of the season and the resort was mostly open!!!!!!!!!

The Nefeli appartments were excellent value for money. The rooms were a tad on the small side but the maid service (6 days a week with lots of linen changes). The levels of cleanliness and attention to detail were second to none.

Rooms also well equiped with toaster, kettle, shower curtain, free security box, anti mosi machine and very hot water at any time of day.

Pool small but heated. The only hiccough being when the owners youngest son had all his mates round after school one day!

Steve the Thompson rep (his first season here) took a couple of days to get into his swing (I'm sure he was very busy) but was very good.

Resort excellent, wonderful views of the mountains, very green, full of wild life and no boom boxes! (The odd unfinished civil engineering project on the beach road....but hey....it's a Greek Island....Then perazi (for the Greek speakers)).

Hired Jeep from Potos, nice people and very helpful.......if you're hiring for more than a couple of days the very competetive rates more than offset the potential excess charges.

Went round the Island a couple of times Aliki Beach is a must to see and perhaps some refreshment in the Koala Bar, Pefkari Beach nice, Skala Maries not pretty but still a working coastal village (and the old boy that runs the Taverna on the right of the harbour as you look out to sea will great you like long lost relatives) but also ventured inland.....Megalos Prinos (Kasiviti) beautiful....wonderful views down to the coast from the Tavernas in the square while sitting under the shade of the Plane trees! Lakos Marion also very unexpected and pretty. Carried on up the mountain roads/ goat tracks to the severe bottle loss point!!! On the first day we saw four cars together on one stretch of road and I'm sure I heard a local say 'It's total gridlock man'.

Did the Macedonia trip. An early start but very good. I was very interested in seeing the excavations at Phillipi and Angela, the guide, had a great deal of knowledge that she was just bursting to impart about them. However I think perhaps one or two on the tour, who were less interested, glazed over a little. The caves at Alistrati were exceptional the only disappointment being that photography is banned and the postcards had not arrived at the souvenir shop yet. (Itsa no season yet, they no come tilla next week..maybe!)

Also did Rose's Walk and Brunch from Limenas (Thassos Town).......a great 3/4 day trip.

Rose, who is Dutch, speaks excellent English and is very knowledgeable about the flora, fauna (of which we saw loads), customs and anecdotes of the island. The walk culminates in a excellent home made vegetarian buffet (complete with tea) in the grounds of a very picturesque, shoebox sized church in the hills overlooking Limenas.

Can also recommend an unguided walk up to the spings above Potamia. Just follow the road up the side of the Planatos Taverna in the centre of Potamia and follow the signs. (You can, if you wish to fit in your clothes when you get home, follow this path to the top of Ipsarion.......at 1206m it's taller than Ben Nevis...4 hours up but only 2 down!!!!!!!!)

The food....what can I say........we tried many of the Tavernas in Skala Potamia and Golden Beach. To be honest on both price and quality there is very little to choose between them. In this category we would include Green Seas (big portions), Agrikioli (spotless and very nice bloke), Alkioni, Krambousa (lots of locals eat here), Phillipi, Fedra, Flisvos BUT for the the whole trip you must go and visit Kostas and Katerina at the Nautilus (big yellow brollys in the garden on the front at S. Potamia)!

An absolutely wonderful host and hostess along with their kitchen staff.

For better or for worse there is always something that makes every holiday memorable and on this one it was these two. Even above and beyond the usual very high standards of Greek hospitality, superb food, nothing too much trouble, free Greek lessons, recipes, off menu specialities, lots of free samples of the local 'brews', desserts (My mamma maka this one for you) and an ever decreasing bill over the fortnight!!!!!!! A credit to their Island! (If you do call in please give them our love they will be 'Gobsmacked'....we gave free English lessons!)

As you have probably gathered we really enjoyed our time here and would love to revisit............only around another 150 inhabited Greek islands to go!

PS Only one thing to watch here..... the bloke at the Supermarket Grand Papa?????? next to the Flisvos... he tries to take advantage!

Graham and Helen