Simply close this page when you have finished with it, and the page from which you came will still be open.
 

A Personal View of Thassos from David White

  
       

Although we have travelled extensively in Europe to France, Spain, the Islands etc. we had never been to Greece before this trip. We were recommended Thassos by our friendly Grecophiles! as an ideal introduction to the Greek islands.

We booked through Thomson's Small & Friendly brochure and stayed in Skala Potamias.

     

The JOURNEY . . . . . . .

This was one of the reasons we've never been to the Greek islands before as we didn't fancy the idea of a bus transfer plus a ferry crossing and yet another bus transfer. It was nice to be proved wrong!!! We flew from Manchester to Kavala where we arrived about 30 mins. late to be told by a fellow traveller that "they donıt tell you that we may have missed the ferry and will have to wait 2 hours for another".

The temperature was in the high 90's and we were wilting at the thought! The first bus ride was only 15mins. and as I'd expected a grimy industrial port I was very surprised how nice the quayside at Keramoti was. I said straight away that if we did have to wait 2 hours I wasn't the least bit bothered as the sea front bars plus the sun would do for me.
       

As it happened we only waited 20mins. for the ferry which was large and only took half an hour to Thassos town where we transferred to the second bus which was on the quayside 30 seconds from the ferry.

Many people us included said that the feared ferry crossing had proved to be a very enjoyable highlight of the journey. The bus then took us through beautiful scenery over the mountain to Skala Potamias (20mins) where we arrived about 3 hours after touchdown at Kavala.

To anyone who hasn't been I would add that the transfer is made so easy as you don't have any baggage to carry. When you come out of Kavala airport you put your bags next to your hotel sign on the forecourt and they are then transported by lorry to your hotel. Ours were waiting for us when we arrived at our hotel, the Achillion.
     

The HOTEL . . . . . . .

The hotel Achillion is only in the Thomson Small & Friendly brochure so all residents were British. One couple were there independently and had driven there from North Yorkshire (must be something in the water up here!). The hotel was cool and clean and we had a very nice room looking towards the sea. Breakfast served in the dining room was simple but adequate. This is where our report starts to get a bit not so good!

The hotel swimming pool was most uninviting with a fair bit of dirt/debris in the water and not cleaned until we complained. It was not welcoming at all nor was the rest of the hotel. The bar was never open and there was no communal activity at all. We donıt want discos or raucous boozy nights but this was the other end of the spectrum. If you wanted a drink the owner or his son would get you one from the bar but it remained in darkness throughout the fortnight. When asked to change a cheque we were told to go to the seafront, as they didn't do exchange. Surely this is a basic in most hotels.

What really spoilt the hotel for us was its position in the resort. Skala Potamias is small and very quiet, no problem there, but the Achillon is a long way from the centre of the village. Thomson's brochure says a kilometer but I would say well over a mile. Also it was a good 20mins. walk down the lane to the beach and coming back with the temp. over a 100ş was more than we had been led to believe (maybe we are just getting older!).
     

The BEACH . . . . . . .

An excellent shallow beach for children with firm clean sand and plenty of room. It was strange at times as you could be sat in the sun melting one minute and the next with an onshore breeze and a bit of cloud you could be putting clothes on. This was everyone not just us. Anyway 95% of the time it was perfect. Plenty of good sun beds and shades for only £2 a day for 2 beds and a shade.
     

The WEATHER . . . . . . .

Two weeks of hot sun with just one shower and one storm which lasted about 15 mins. and everything was dry again in half an hour. Incidentally the lightning set a small forest fire just up the road when it struck a tree. It took 2 days to finally put it out with the firemen having to use a plane to drop retardant on the trees. The storm day was the only night when it was a little chilly eating outdoors so we did very well.
     

EATING OUT . . . . . . .

On recommendation we went to the STEKI on the first night and were impressed enough to eat there for the next 13 nights as well. It did help that it was only a 5 min. walk away and the others were on the seafront. Katerina looked after us very well. We ate Greek all the time and she was most attentive and helpful explaining her menus to us. Very reasonable in price and the food was fine. We had some excellent, if expensive, sea bass on two occasions. Well worth every Drachma!

Most people in the Achillion ate there at some point and most came back again after trying others in the village. Those that tried different places found some good and some indifferent. Weıre great believers in the theory that if you find somewhere good to start with cultivate it!!! and it paid off handsomely.

The only other restaurant we tried was the AKROGIALI on a lunchtime. It's halfway along the seafront and was lovely for a drink and a break from the sun. Very nice food and if it had been nearer we may have been tempted on a night as well.
     

DAYS OUT . . . . . . .

We didn't go anywhere on trips but just used the local bus to go into Thassos town. A lovely ride over the mountain via Panagia where we spent one morning. Although touristy Thassos town is very nice and the walk up to the Acropolis is well worth every drop of sweat!!!!

We went several times and I would definitely consider staying in the town on another occasion. The hotel Aethria, Kosmar, looked very nice when I went exploring. It's in a quiet position at the back of the town with a lovely pool area.
     

SUMMARY . . . . . . .

Lovely island with nice people and we enjoyed our holiday very much. Skala Potamias is nice and ideal for children and those wanting a quiet break. I think a car is really needed if you want to get around. The resort is extremely quiet with very limited "entertainment". Suited us but the Achillion (and the Natasha) are a long way from the seafront especially when it's hot or if you small children to cope with.

The transfer was brilliant. The hotel was just OK but we wouldn't go again! and I thought that for Thomson to claim it was something special was incorrect and all round it was expensive. For example the hotel I mentioned in Thassos town was bright, cheerful had a lovely clean pool, friendly staff and was considerably cheaper than the Achillion. On the Thomson questionnaire on the plane I put the hotel/holiday as good but poor value compared with others.

The ultimate test ! Would we go again???? Yes but next time we'll try somewhere else.