Adonis Reviews

One of our best holidays ever. Apart from a couple of days the weather was brill.

The accomodation was basic Greek and there was no real cooking utensils, but it was clean and the emptied the bins 6 days out of 7. The owners were lovely and even gave us half a carrier bag of grapes off their vine. The Kosmar brochure was correct about the walk to the beach (5 mins) and town (15 mins).

All of the people in the resort were lovely esp Yannis who owns the Fever Bar, who even drove us back to the Andonis one night when it was raining (try the Fever Special Cocktail its lovely).

If you go on the excursions go with a local company as it is far cheaper than booking through the tour operator (exactly the same coach, boat and guide)

Every meal we had was beautiful, but the Mantelena was my particular fave, and they do take away.

I must mention that our rep Mark was also good and knew his stuff.

So apart from having to come home we had a lovely time

Before we went we were worried about the Airport, heat, overcrowding, mosquitoes and accommodation.

Airport: in bound no problem, small but well organised. 4 planes in, one conveyor, a bit crowded but quick (We have waited an hour at Birmingham to recover our luggage!). A buzzer sounds between each flight load so just wait a bit. Once outside there is plenty of room and it was easy to find our rep. (We have been in much worse e.g. Malaga where our rep was lost in a scrum of hundreds). Return.. well it is all they say in the reviews on this site. One thing we did not realise is that after queuing (now under canopies so not so bad), to check in your luggage, you then have to go back to join another queue to go through passport control this was back outside and in the sun and took about an hour! Departure lounge (this must be what it is like at Arrivals in hell!) is such that if you see a piece of space to stand on take it! You'll get nothing better. There is a well-stocked Duty Free shop but to get to it you have to move the people sitting on the stairs in front of the signs that say DO NOT SIT ON THESE STAIRS. All staff seemed pleasant and helpful (I'm not sure I would in the conditions). But the good news is the extension is supposed to open in 2004 but that could be GMT (Greek Maybe Time).

The heat: it was very hot (up to 40C?) we had no A/C and no fans but we did not have too much difficulty, just a bit hot at night.

Overcrowding: none. We had not holidayed in July for many years and were very surprised how quite it was.

Mosquitoes: Used Boots ";extra strength"; repellent in the evening (50%DEET) and the electric thingies with tablets and had no bites (plenty of people did).

Restaurants: I cannot believe anyone would want to eat anywhere other than the Psaropoula (Lemon Tree Garden). Up in the olive trees, in the cool, towards the old part, next to the school (use the free horse and carriage that will take and return you from Alykanes). No gimmicks, no comedy waiters, no chucker in door men, no plastic pictures of plastic food, no leaflets, just exceptional food, with a varied menu, in spacious and pleasant surroundings with friendly professional waiters and waitresses and all at the same price as in the town.

Accommodation: Adonis with owner Yanis (who speaks advanced arm waving!). Basic Greek style but at the top of that classification. Everything matched and worked and was very well maintained and clean. Very basic cooking facilities so don't bother! Take a travel kettle if you have one. We had tried to book the Neraida Bungalows but all full. Never been more grateful for not getting what we wanted! Adonis is quiet, apart from the noise of the cicadas (?) and the butterflies in the trees. Beach 5 minute walk away with all the facilities you would want. Town 15 minutes, at a slow walk, where you can buy all those essentials.

Trips: Went on Round the Island coach trip...for us don't bother. Shipwreck from above was dramatic. Stopped at a viewing point with very good panoramic view of the south of the island. Other than that the Blue Caves left us uninspired, we visited a church that could have been any of hundreds and shopping in hot places where you are pestered.
One final tip, we were told that to finance the Olympics in 2004 the police are fining everyone not wearing a crash helmet and not wearing seat belts (even if they don't have a motor bike or car!!)
Summary: an exceptional holiday made by the weather, the beach and restaurant.