A relaxing holiday with children? Not an impossible dream
I have witnessed the tension in my friend’s faces as they begin to plan their annual holiday and wonder just how relaxing it will be for them with the beloved offspring in tow!
Will their behaviour on the plane provoke disdainful looks from those who either do not have children or falsely believe the fruit of their loins would never cause such disruptions? Once there, will the hotel be tolerant of excited youngsters wishing to explore every nook and cranny of their temporary surroundings? Will there be food which appeals to a child’s palette? If not, will the cafes and restaurants be flexible with their menus? And probably a secretly burning question…will we get any ‘adult’ time?
Last year friends of mine came out to a little known Greek island called Agistri for their first holiday with their energetic and fiercely curious two and half year old. Given that their normal preferred holiday is exploring the architecture and culture on offer in cities around the world, their first beach experience was a joy to watch!! Agistri is perfect for children.
Athens airport is under four hours from the UK on a direct flight. The prices have become competitive across a range of airlines which gives a wider choice of carrier. The new airport is slickly efficient and there is a choice of taxi, bus or train to the port. Agistri lies less than an hour by boat from the Piraeus, Athens main port. My friend’s child was absorbed by the boat ride, the view, the excitement of new transport and our journey to the island went without drama.
Once on the island, his face was a picture as he saw the stretch of sand awaiting him. In front of the Oasis Scala Beach Hotel, where we stayed, lies its own beach which complements the hotel’s swimming pool. On this side of the island the sand stretches into the sea at a shallow level for enough distance for a child to feel it truly is exploring the sea but without any frightening sudden drop-away into dark, deep and dangerous water. We could not get him out of the sea! And I have to also point out this was at the end of October – when there are real bargains in terms of hotel prices to be had and for those with under-school age children this has to be a real plus.
The island boats a fantastic range of places to eat from simple cafes to tavernas and restaurants offering fabulous local recipes. We chose to eat at Dolphins where all the recipes are local to the island, beautifully prepared and all with incredibly friendly service and a stunning view of the sea. My friends looked on nervously as their son started to explore around the other tables and wander around freely. I reminded them that they were in, as I have come to call it, The Land of the Child. The child is not nuisance but part of the ‘tribe’ here and all children are treated as such. The food on offer at Dolphins and at the café bar at the Oasis Scala Beach were adapted as needed for his requests which made mealtimes peaceful and satisfying for all.
Given that the Oasis Scala Beach has its own café bar my friends were able to have some adult time out while their son slept peacefully after a hard day digging up the beach! His parents were right there for him which I know added to their holiday hugely.
So to answer the questions posed above. Athens is a short flight from the UK and Agistri is a short hop from Athens. Children are more than welcome and their personal food preferences will always be met. Mum and Dad have the opportunity for some adult time – ready for the next day’s adventures!
(Notes)
The island of Agistri in Greece is a green forested island with beautiful sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. The least known of the Saronic islands, Agistri is the ideal island for those that wish to take it easy and relax. Agistri is also ideal for a family holiday with its gently shelving sandy beach of Skala and its relaxed environment. Agistri consists of three main villages, Skala, Milos, and the village of Limenaria. The Oasis Scala Beach Hotel (www.agistrihotels.com) with its café bar is ideally situated with the sandy Scala Beach right on your doorstep and with other Agistri island tavernas cafes and bars situated along the coastal road a one minute walk away.
Will their behaviour on the plane provoke disdainful looks from those who either do not have children or falsely believe the fruit of their loins would never cause such disruptions? Once there, will the hotel be tolerant of excited youngsters wishing to explore every nook and cranny of their temporary surroundings? Will there be food which appeals to a child’s palette? If not, will the cafes and restaurants be flexible with their menus? And probably a secretly burning question…will we get any ‘adult’ time?
Last year friends of mine came out to a little known Greek island called Agistri for their first holiday with their energetic and fiercely curious two and half year old. Given that their normal preferred holiday is exploring the architecture and culture on offer in cities around the world, their first beach experience was a joy to watch!! Agistri is perfect for children.
Athens airport is under four hours from the UK on a direct flight. The prices have become competitive across a range of airlines which gives a wider choice of carrier. The new airport is slickly efficient and there is a choice of taxi, bus or train to the port. Agistri lies less than an hour by boat from the Piraeus, Athens main port. My friend’s child was absorbed by the boat ride, the view, the excitement of new transport and our journey to the island went without drama.
Once on the island, his face was a picture as he saw the stretch of sand awaiting him. In front of the Oasis Scala Beach Hotel, where we stayed, lies its own beach which complements the hotel’s swimming pool. On this side of the island the sand stretches into the sea at a shallow level for enough distance for a child to feel it truly is exploring the sea but without any frightening sudden drop-away into dark, deep and dangerous water. We could not get him out of the sea! And I have to also point out this was at the end of October – when there are real bargains in terms of hotel prices to be had and for those with under-school age children this has to be a real plus.
The island boats a fantastic range of places to eat from simple cafes to tavernas and restaurants offering fabulous local recipes. We chose to eat at Dolphins where all the recipes are local to the island, beautifully prepared and all with incredibly friendly service and a stunning view of the sea. My friends looked on nervously as their son started to explore around the other tables and wander around freely. I reminded them that they were in, as I have come to call it, The Land of the Child. The child is not nuisance but part of the ‘tribe’ here and all children are treated as such. The food on offer at Dolphins and at the café bar at the Oasis Scala Beach were adapted as needed for his requests which made mealtimes peaceful and satisfying for all.
Given that the Oasis Scala Beach has its own café bar my friends were able to have some adult time out while their son slept peacefully after a hard day digging up the beach! His parents were right there for him which I know added to their holiday hugely.
So to answer the questions posed above. Athens is a short flight from the UK and Agistri is a short hop from Athens. Children are more than welcome and their personal food preferences will always be met. Mum and Dad have the opportunity for some adult time – ready for the next day’s adventures!
(Notes)
The island of Agistri in Greece is a green forested island with beautiful sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. The least known of the Saronic islands, Agistri is the ideal island for those that wish to take it easy and relax. Agistri is also ideal for a family holiday with its gently shelving sandy beach of Skala and its relaxed environment. Agistri consists of three main villages, Skala, Milos, and the village of Limenaria. The Oasis Scala Beach Hotel (www.agistrihotels.com) with its café bar is ideally situated with the sandy Scala Beach right on your doorstep and with other Agistri island tavernas cafes and bars situated along the coastal road a one minute walk away.
posted by Agistri Hotels at 5:41 PM
