Nikos Apartments Reviews

Just returned from an enjoyable break with my two teenage sons. These apartments were slightly basic compared to what we are used to as this is our first time in Greece; we have previously only been to Majorca and Ibiza. However, they certainly didn't seem any worse than anywhere else.

We liked the pool, and the fact that there were a few bars nearby and an arcade for the lads.

An unplanned week's break In Argassi, Zakynthos with my frend Amanda was just what I needed. Having never been to Greece before, I had travelled through a lot of Spain I was accustomed to the mediterranean summer heat ... but nothing prepared me for the incredible temperatures that greeted us in the small and functional Zatkynthian aiport.

Straight on to full coaches, waiting a 100 metres away from the terminal's exit with a friendly welsh holiday rep who introduced us the driver and a few Greek words (parrot's claw = parakaló - a ferret's toe = afarísto). Her well rehearsed script welcomed the holiday makers en route to the first stop, where a handful of people disembarked to enter their destination accommodation. There were a few bars and pubs but most things looked desolate and sun baked.

On to our next stop, Argassi where we arrived in 10 or so minutes. Ours being the first drop in the second biggest tourist centre on the island. The first thing we needed to do after unloading our belongings and dropping then off in the small basic white-walled groundfloor small studio flat was to locate the supermarkets for water (Welsh Rep had advised us against drinking the tap water AND flushing any paper down the loos) and various nappy bags and soft moist tissue (a lot easier and cleans more thoroughly which you can dispose of in nappy bags without the bins becoming infested with swarms of flies - ewwww).

Our journey for vittels started soon after meeting the owners of the flats - a friendly woman who spoke little English and sold us the use of a safe box and a fan for the sum of 20e (the fan ... I was desperate for by now and it made sense to lock away small things of value). She communicated that we were not to play music too loudly at night and that a woman would come in to change the bedding (white 4 cotton sheets, 2 pillows and 2 small hand towels) during our week's stay...WHICH days they would be I didn't quite grasp - LEARN SOME BASIC GREEK ... IT HELPS HONEST

Oh well, we were here, it was like a furnace outside (40^ plus as by now it was just after midday). We derobed and rerobbed according to the weather . I went straight for the tanning cream a hat and a loose vest and shorts. My mate wore something similar. The main shops were found further on the main road (thought the pool area of the Family Inn hotel take a left 100 metres and a right at the end on to the quiet main Agrassi street). Further down into the busier the sides of the street stood an array of pubs, resturants, small supermarkets, bike/car hire, greek tourist operators, fast food palours and the occassional hotel. The most widely stocked and air conditioned we found just opposite the Magic Mushrrom Pub, where the prices were as reasonable as any other we found. As we were in self catering, we bought our basic food provisions for the days and plenty of vodka, coke, ciggies for me, chocolate and 6 litres of mineral water (all but the ciggies were to be rechilled in the studios waist high fridge freezer).

Laden down with so many bags didn't help the return journey with the sun blazing down on us but made out arrival at the now chilled room seem so rewarding. The room by now had ben cooling with the help of the fan and the closed shutters. There was no evidence of mosquitos any where so I felt a little less anxious of being bitten during my holday here - they always found my skin and seemed to like my blood - A LOT! We put our privisions in to the cooler and opened up the shutters and windows. Around the appartment block grew a range of ripe fruits on trees. Apples, pears apricots and cherries within arms length of our balcony and front doors. Seemed impolite not to try one ... so a few pieces of the fruit was washed and went straight into the fridge to stay pefectly preserved.

Throughout the week evenings the male owner (Nikos - I guess) would come to harvest some of his more edible fruits and offer them to the guests at the studio flats - a very nice touch which highlighted how friendly the Greek islanders were to visitors. This was to continue thoughout my stay and I was made to feel welcome wherever I went. Even the taxi drivers were friendlier than most I had met in the UK which added to this pleasant change of environment.

The night brought the main street to life. Cars travelled the street cruising or maiking their way to another part of the island. More excited holiday makers on big white coaches and face filled windows, eager to get to their new holiday home but keen to absorb the difference of their real hometowns and this vibrant-by-night holiday resort.

Eating out is more hit than miss. Most of the restaurants were a short walk away but all served fresh food with an impressive choices of greek or western/-ised delicacies (with chips if need be). Most waited by handsome dark skinned men in shirts and jackets tempting you in with their eating place's finest dishes. Many served similar menus (even the curry house and the chinese restaurants - apart from the usual oriental and south east asian delights).

Nightlife was confined to just over a handful of bars catering for most adults and teenage children (didn't see many young children around in the bars apart from the hords of omnipresent exploited gypsy's youngsters who approached from every angle and at any given moment to sell flowers and tat. They were a dark side of tourist places that make my heart sink everytime.

The alcoholic drinks were reasonable at just over 2-4e. The most expensive being the list of cocktails each establishment had on there outside tables. All had a supply of British favorates on tap as well as the bottled alocpop style vodkas and bacardi varieties.

Approximately 15 kilometres to the north of the resort and a 10 minute taxi ride of approximately 11-12? is Laganas, where you'll find a long busy street lit by the flashing lights and encrusted with huge pubs and clubs. This place is the liviest and youngest on the island. The clubs and pubs were open until day break and masses of people trecked the short street when bar and hopping. Many had obviously drunk too much too soon but the majority were in merry full-swing of their night out abroad. Most of the bars don't fill up until abouit 10.30pm. So a meal the hours preceding that seems liked a good choice given that the temperature had cooled down to a just bearable 28^.

Although we spent a few of the initial days around the pool of the Family Inn hotel, the best beaches we found were north of Argassi. A free bus that runs from Laganas through to Banana beach and back once a day stopped conviently just outside the church near to our appartment. This took us to a beach side resort full of people bronzing themselves, playing beach volley and watching the speed boats dragging the inflatable objects behind them whilst the humans sat on the objects were hurled in to the clear blue sea. We choose to venure off a little and walked to a neighbouring beach, less populated and where we discovered it was free to use the sun loungers. Many of our fellow beach residents were older scandinavian or eastern europeans, This along with the distant music coming form the beach bar made it a perfect atmosphere to soak up the sun's rays and get some serious holiday reading done. With just a couple of journeys to the near by poolside refreshment bar to get some cold drinks and an ice cream we enjoyed our best lazy day yet.

There is a lot to see and do in Zakynthos. Argassi, thankfully, didn't have pounding music emanating from everywhere as I had anticipated. Instead I found a tranquil by day and most of the night, seafront situated small tourist town with enough lively restaurants (all greek ones are excellent), souvenir shops (GEORGIOS - just passed the Magic Mushroom was my fave) pubs (Magic Mushroom) to meet anyone's basic requirements. More adventuruous visitors might like the range of island cruises, visits to mainland Greece with the sporadic tour shops ... you could hire a jeep and do some investigation of the island ourself!

I went to Argassi hoping for tranquility, the sun, nice food and friendly people, cheap ciggies, clean inhabitable accommodation witg basic cooking facilities and the occassional night out pubbing and clubbing. I got that and a lot more ... I put on a little weight when I was there hehe. I would definitely rate it high on my value-for-money holday list. BUT TAKE LOADS OF MOSQUITO REPELLENT! Candle only just don't work! I have the scars to prove it!!! YASASS!