Tag: hotels
Greek holiday with beautiful beaches, boozy speedboat rides and 5* hotels from £50 a night
THEY call him the Barefoot Prince of Rhodes, as he slips shoeless between the packed restaurant tables, greeting customers with a huge grin.
“You like fish, yes?” says Dimitris. “I will bring you everything!”
And that’s literally what happens.
The Ixian Grand & All Suites hotel is adults only and all inclusive[/caption]
A stunning selection of seafood arrives at our tiny table at Stegna Kozas, overlooking the calm, clear waters in the pretty village of Stegna.
Huge chunks of crispy calamari, delicate clams and a steaming bowl of mussels are followed by yet more treasures of the deep — sea urchin sliced and pickled, grilled octopus, deep-fried red fish in a golden crumb.
The Greek salad, glistening with olive oil, and garlic pittas are irresistible.
And even with full tummies, we are envious of the whole sea bass and bream served to fellow diners.
Dimitris is the third generation of Kozas to dish up the freshest seafood at this cracker of a restaurant, which this year is celebrating its centenary.
It’s obvious why the place has been around for so long and its latest barefoot owner is continuing the tradition of letting the island’s fish shine.
I have to thank the clever team at the Ixian Grand & All Suites hotel for the stellar recommendation.
The Stegna Kozas restaurant boasts it has the island’s freshest seafood[/caption]
Manager Michaelis has a host of ideas for exploring the very best of Rhodes, although leaving our swim-up suite was a struggle.
The 5H adults-only beachfront hotel sits on the shores of the Aegean, with easy access to the sands and great views from its pools.
Rooms are chic with a cool, calm palette but it is the private pools — some on rooftops, others tucked away in the landscaped grounds — that are difficult to resist.
Our top-end sea-view suite is spacious and comes complete with an over-water deck with loungers, where even in early summer the chance to cool off with a dip was welcome.
Opt for the all-inclusive and you have got plenty of choice.
There is a buffet restaurant serving a good selection of fresh salads, meat and fish, plus pizza and pasta.
And two à la carte restaurants promise relaxed fine dining.
Muza Htista has a quirky Peruvian/Japanese theme.
And for traditional Greek delicacies, Milonges offers hearty fare at lunch and dinner.
There are lots of different restaurant options at the Ixian[/caption]
The speciality restaurants need to be booked in advance but the snack bar near the pool was our go-to when peckish during the day, the gyro wraps a big hit with my other half.
Entertainment is low-key, with the lobby bar’s terrace overlooking the sea and pool bar perfect for a post-dinner nightcap.
For those looking for a bit more nightlife, Rhodes Town is 15 minutes away and easily accessible by bus or cab.
We took a cab there after dinner for a stroll through the pretty streets of the Old Town.
Younger clubbing fans should head to Orfanidou Bar Street for partying until the early hours.
For those looking to explore a little more of the island, car hire can be picked up for less than £40 for a couple of days.
Lindos and its incredible clifftop Acropolis, with the 4th-century Temple of Athena, is a must-see.
But go early or late as possible in the day to avoid the crowds.
And prepare for a climb as you wind your way up through the narrow, whitewashed streets.
Spring or autumn are perfect times to explore, with plenty of sunshine but lower temperatures.
The beachfront hotel is difficult to leave but there is plenty to explore in Rhodes if you do[/caption]
Toast the sunset
Stop off for a breather at one of the many lovely rooftop bars and restaurants and after your clifftop ascent, grab some rays on the beach.
Lindos and Pallas beaches have lots of facilities but the rocky cove at St Paul’s Bay offers a more relaxed, less-crowded vibe.
Heading back to the Ixian Grand & All Suites, we stop off at Kalithea Springs.
This thermal spa by the sea is an Art Deco gem and is once more welcoming guests following a ten-year restoration programme.
It is five euros to enter and after admiring the restored buildings and beautiful pebble mosaics, you can relax on the beach or take a dip in the clear waters.
Take some time out to visit the ruins of the Acropolis in Lindos[/caption]
Or simply sip a coffee or glass of wine at the on-site bar and restaurant.
Back at the hotel, we grab two loungers in the gardens to soak up the last of the rays with a beer and wine to toast the sunset.
Then it’s back to our room for a quick refresh and another night of great food, served yet again by friendly and attentive staff.
Our fellow guests range in age from Instagram-obsessed young adults in their twenties to couples in their sixties.
While it may not be right in the centre of the action on this popular Greek island, that is a huge part of its charm.
We enjoyed days exploring the treasures of Rhodes but also had time to relax by the pools, on the beach or in the hotel’s excellent spa.
It is close enough to the action to keep younger guests happy but secluded enough to ensure a properly relaxing, chilled break.
You can almost see why the lovely Dimitris at Stegna Kozas chooses to go barefoot.
A week at this lovely resort and I’d happily follow suit.
GO: Rhodes
GETTING THERE/STAYING THERE: Rooms at the hotel start from £115 for an inland-view room and from £350 for a Beachfront Grand Suite, per night.
A seven-night, all-inclusive package holiday including flights with easyJet from Gatwick on June 1 costs from £795pp.
For more details see onthebeach.co.uk.
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The cheap Spanish town in Ibiza that has affordable 5* hotels and €2.50 beers
POMEGRANATE trees fly past and sunshine warms my skin as we zip through Santa Eulària des Riu on our way to explore Northern Ibiza.
The wind is in my hair as our nippy yellow convertible — a 1980 Moke — whips around a corner and reveals gorgeous views.
Driving around in this Moke revealed gorgeous views[/caption]
This really isn’t the Ibiza that I am used to — being immersed in nature in the north instead of nightclubs in the south.
Our driver points to fields of fennel and tells me the Arab Moors made the Balearic island the fertile garden it is today.
The fennel is used to flavour Ibiza’s signature liqueur. Sample the best of it on a visit to Fluxà market.
For €25, the distillery allows visitors to explore their botanical garden and to make a bottle of Hierbas Ibicencas, a sweet alcohol soaked in camomile, lavender, sage, rosemary, and the leaves and peel of orange and lemon.
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Owner Juan Fluxa says the first shot is to settle the stomach, the second “for your health” and the third “will go to the head, if that is what you want.”
Alternatively, he says locals start the day with a fisherman’s coffee (café caleta).
It’s mostly rum and brandy but with flavours of orange peel, lemon peel, and a cinnamon stick.
Juan whips the drink together before setting the mixture alight to burn off just a little alcohol.
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He’s excited to see our reaction and hands over little cupfuls with warm and sugary doughnuts. The smells and taste bring instant joy.
Daytime boozing calls for an afternoon snooze by the W Hotel’s gorgeous pool.
My eyes flicker up at the citrus-coloured canopies that contrast the whitewashed buildings.
One night at this boutique 5* hotel starts from £126pp, which may stretch the budget, but to relax beneath this chic architecture feels worth every penny.
Silky smooth
But a night in Ibiza needn’t break the bank. The North is full of great value bars, restaurants and more.
Anita’s Bar — the original “hippy bar” in San Carlos village — offers exceptional value for money with tapas and pizzas for under €10.
It is a short walk from Las Dalias, home to the legendary market that also offers free live music and DJ sets.
Events start mostly outside in the late afternoon, before moving into the historic club space — the oldest on the island — from midnight onwards.
Not to be missed is a trip to the pretty village of Santa Gertrudis with its bars, free art gallery, stunning 18th-century church, and attractive shops.
There are no rails brimming with tourist tat. I peep into one boutique and it has the buzz of a Moroccan souk — a warren of affordable and colourful cushion covers, ceramics, and clothes.
My spoils include cowboy boots that were a bargain at €50 and I show them off while plates of boldly seasoned meats land on our table in Bar Costa.
Serrano ham, Iberico pork and Sobrasada are accompanied by manchego and crusty bread.
This place is popular for its toasted rolls and artwork on the walls and the meal is mouth watering for €5 a plate.
The price of a pint may be steep, but as I muddle through the maths I almost squeal.
A glass of Can Maymo red wine is just €3 and a bottle of beer €2.50.
“This one is on me,” I pipe up. A €20 note covers the bill with enough left for the tip.
The chilled vibe here is typical of the region that has tempted the likes of Brit chart toppers James Blunt and Calvin Harris, both of whom own homes here.
Our German guide Rika says James has been spotted taking his kids to school in a tuk-tuk, while Calvin has revived one of Ibiza’s largest organic farms, Terra Masia.
As a hiker, Rika found the region irresistible, so she settled here in the 1970s.
She says the best time to experience Ibiza’s beauty is autumn after the clubbers have gone home, when the heat has relaxed, and the water is still warm.
Sandy seabeds and rocky vegetation make the shores perfect for snorkelling.
I tiptoe into the water at Platja Pou d’es Lleo and spot Tagomago island which is known as one of the most beautiful private islands in the Mediterranean.
Neptune Grass grows in the water here which is a good sign for its quality, as the plant only survives in clean water.
My hair feels silky smooth when I wash it later at the hotel.
Back in Santa Eulària town the promenade is lit up, and a scattering of houses in the mountains glitter like stars.
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The rugged, relaxed north of the island is a revelation to this party girl.
And even better, I didn’t need a week off work to recover when I came home.
GO: IBIZA
GETTING THERE: Direct flights from the UK to Ibiza include British Airways, easyJet, Jet2 and Ryanair with fares from £68 return in the autumn.
STAYING THERE: Rooms at the 5* W Hotel in Santa Eulalia are from £252 per night, or £126pp based on two sharing. See marriott.com.
OUT & ABOUT: Hire a Mini Moke for up to four people from £88 per day. See minimokeibiza.com.
A private liqueur-making session at Fluxa is from £25, see fluxaibiza.com.
Walking tour of Santa Eulalia des Riu from £28 for an hour.
Email walkandtalkibiza@gmail.com.
MORE INFO: See visitsantaeulalia.com.