The Greek Islands: Paxos

Island Review by Elias Dendias

One of the least commercial Greek Islands set in the Ionian sea. This island is truly beautiful, with scenery that makes it an artists paradise, its clear aquamarine sea and pebble beaches that have to be seen to be believed. The local people are so welcoming you feel at home straight away! This island has such a hold over people that I guarantee during your stay you will meet more fellow holidaymakers that have been returning for years than first time visitors. Paxos only 7 miles by 3 can easily be explored by foot, bike, car or boat. A perfect place to wind down nothing is done quickly here! Just a walk to the beach can seem to take forever by the time you sit and drink a frappe (iced coffee) in one of the seafront cafes, watch a local fisherman bring his catch in to sell or queue in the local bakery for your fresh bread baked in a wood oven, listening to the locals arguing (they are actually only talking but speak so loud and fast it seems they are) half the day has gone! This is the beauty of Paxos.

The port of Gaios receives ferries, hydrofoils, the sea taxi and the hydro plane from Corfu. Gaios is the capital of Paxos and the largest resort on the island. It is still relatively small and quaint with Venetian architecture, a maze of side streets and a pedestrianised square on the seafront. Restaurants and snack bars are scattered throughout the town and surrounding olive groves of Gaios offering a high standard of local Greek cuisine, traditionally made pizza, pasta and souvlaki are readily available. Local amenities include a post office, banks, chemist, doctors surgery, gift shops, gymnasium, jewelry and handmade craft shops as well as the essential supermarkets, bakeries and butcher. Gaios hosts the only night club on the island and its range of waterfront bars is extensive from a quiet traditional café bar to livelier bars playing a variety of music. There are a number of taxis based here and a bus service which is not very regular but when running enables you to get to the resorts of Loggos and Lakka.

Sea taxis and caiques are available from the harbour front of Gaios to take you to the island of Anti-Paxos or Mongonissi. Both offer sandy beaches with shallow waters and tavernas overlooking the sea. The crystal clear waters of Anti-Paxos are idyllic and compare with the waters of the Caribbean – a must for swimming and a fantastic day out. Peak season can get very crowded, although people watching during this time can be entertaining!

Loggos is the smallest resort, a picture perfect postcard fishing village with beautiful beaches on the coastline either side of the harbour. Marmaris beach is shaded in parts by overhanging olive trees, then Kipos and Kipiadi with crystal clear waters further round and currently only accessible by foot or boat. Monodendri is a wide stretch of beach between Loggos and Lakka and has windsurfing and canoes with a beach taverna and is accessible by car followed by a steep walk down to the beach. I fully recommend hiring your own boat enabling you to visit a different cove or beach every day of your holiday. Hire boats are not to be taken to the west coast or Anti-Paxos as the sea can change very quickly and become rough. There are organised boat trips to the west coast and its caves and these are run from Gaios, Loggos and Lakka. This village has probably the highest standard of cuisine on the island with a sprinkling of seafront tavernas, here you can sample local delicacies from stuffed tomatoes to fresh lobster! Exquisite bars offering you strawberry daiquiris, homemade tiramisu or just a great ouzo with surroundings you will never forget. In the evening Loggos is lit with fairy lights reflecting on the water around the harbour, and a blanket of stars above. Local amenities are limited but include a bakery, three supermarkets a tourist office for money exchange, small gift shop selling postcards, stamps and cigarettes, a jewellery shop and the most beautiful craft shop owned by Sarah who designs and makes jewellry, cards and sells a wonderful range of gifts.

Lakka is on the north tip surrounding a large harbour where flotillas and gin palaces can be seen mooring. It has two main beaches with a beach taverna and other beaches are accessible by foot over to the west coast. Here there are two squares, the first you come to on arriving in Lakka where all the locals congregate in the cafeneon for an ouzo or Greek coffee and catch up on the local gossip. There are also restaurants offering local and Mediterranean cuisine, then a walk through the narrow side streets leads to the waterfront and a larger square also housing tavernas and bars. Local amenities include tourist offices for money exchange, a bakery, butcher, beautiful craft shops and mouthwatering cake shops! For those of you interested in water sports water skiing and scuba diving are available with qualified instructors.

Weather in Paxos is like the rest of Greece, very nice from May to October and usually nice the rest of the time with some rain and cold weather in December through March.

GETTING TO CORFU AND PAXOS

Direct flights from all UK local airports are available into Corfu airport during the months of May until October. Paxos is also served by Corfu and then a transfer is required by sea or hydroplane to reach the island.

There are various companies offering low cost flights during the summer months, prices and availability change constantly.

During winter months there are scheduled flights with Olympic Airlines via Athens which we recommend, as once luggage is checked in at UK airport it is then claimed in Corfu, also if you miss your connecting flight you will automatically be booked on to the next one. Easyjet operate into Athens and then either Olympic or Aegean Airways from Athens to Corfu, just take into consideration if there is a delay and you miss your connection you will have to re-purchase a ticket.

TRANSFERS TO PAXOS(during May – October)

Flying Dolphin Hydrofoil – this takes approx 1hr from Corfu Town into Gaios harbour. Approx 15 euros per person. Children are half price.
Hydroplane (Luggage allowance is limited to 10kg per passenger with no flexibility)-The flight is 12 minutes from Gouvia Marina in Corfu into Gaios harbour. Approx 35 euros per person, including children.
Sea Taxi - This can be chartered to depart Corfu Town at a time of your choice and take you to either Gaios, Loggos or Lakka harbour. The cost of this private charter is 270 euros each way. Maximum capacity is passengers.

FERRY INFORMATION

If you are traveling to Corfu or Paxos by car there are a number of ferry companies that operate from Italy and Igoumounitsa. You should be able to get schedules when you book your hotel.

Where to stay in Paxos?
The Paxos Club is a tasteful resort which harmonically combines the independence of self contained apartments with he first-class service of an up to date hotel. It is a complex of 26 apartments, newly built in the traditional Ionian style, that can accommodate 2 to 5 people. The hotel is a family business where the visitor can feel the warmth of the renowned Greek hospitality. For more information see www.hotelsofgreece.com/ionian/paxos/paxos-club-hotel