First time to Halki

[sunshinegirl]

We are off to Halki on Wednesday 3 June for the first time. Can't wait as we have heard really good reports and having just joined the forum and read the posts it sounds wonderful. Any tips for a first timer would be appreicated. Will let you know how we get on when we return.

[Amanda]

Welcome to the board sunshinegirl!

No special tips except relax and enjoy - not difficult on Halki.

We'll look forward to your critique when you get back!

;D ;D ;D ;D

[Liz]

Welcome to the board Sunshine girl .. ;D

Top tips ;D..depends on your party really
First time we went we had young kids so I took the kitchen sink

Everything is available from the shops ..just may not be as you know it ( although I would say take decent plasters/elastoplast if you are prone to flip flop rash or have kids )

Try all the the tavernas ...they are all great in their own right ( we all have our favourites and the gyro bar( Valentis' grill is a must ! )

Most of all like Amanda says just chill and go with the flow ..it is the most relaxing place to be ..Oooh and don't be afraid to talk to people ( sounds strange I know ) but the people of Halki are very genuine open people and are happy to have a bit of a natter over a coffee or a beer ..enjoy ;D..any more questions give us a shout

[fatcat]

As Liz says, just go with it and in no time you will have found paradise and made friends for life.
It truly is a wonderful place.

We are going quite late this year (September), just wish we could be there sooner.

Enjoy Halki.

[carol]

Just relax and have a great time, try all the tavernas and bars at least once, they all offer something different, you will soon find a favourite or two but more importantly have a wonderful holiday ;D

[geedee]

Hope you had a great time Sunshinegirl. Looking forward to reading the impressions of a first timer. We are having to rely on this fantastic site to keep us going until September, so lots of details please!!

[sunshinegirl]

We got back from Halki last week so would like to let you all know how we got on as first timers.

What can I say............It was absolutely fabulous . Everything went so smoothly. Once we picked up our baggage at the airport we got on the coach over to the port which took about 35 mins. We then got on the ferry, which departed at 1815 and took about 1 hour 20 mins - on the way over we saw lots of dolphins which was unexpectedand lovely to see. On arrival we were met on the Harbour and taken to our apartment. The apartment was clean, quaint but very basic ,but for what we paid we didn't expect any more. We had wonderful views over the harbour and what was nice was waking up to just the sound of the ferries and the birds and of course the fabulous view. We tried most of the tavernas in Halki and didn't have a bad meal in any of them. Our two favourite ones were Maria's and not sure of the name of the other but it had red tartan table cloths. We found the prices to be quite reasonable compared to when we were in Lanzarote in March, much cheaper. Main courses averaged about 7, 8, 9 euros and wine for a litre 8-10 euros and 3 euros for a large beer. The prices seemed to be the same in all the tavernas including the ones on the beaches. The beaches were both excellent Pondamas being the sandy one which is a 10 min walk and has an excellent taverna and Ftenegia the pepply one which also has an excellent taverna and was about at 15 min walk. Our favourite was Ftenegia. Halki is so picturesque and the little back streets are wonderful to roam around in. We did walk up to the castle which we really enjoyed and took about an hour but it was very hot on the way with not much shade so do take plenty of water. The views were lovely and we also had a look in the little church opposite was was really nice. We met many friends as a few had been before and also new people to Halki also. It is so easy to make friends with all the people as you see them on the beaches and also during the evening in the Tavernas so we really felt as though we were a part of Halki - Thanks Bob & Joan and Ian & Shel if you read this for making us so welcome. The journey home went very smoothly. We got the ferry at 10am and again saw the dolphins and once we arrived at the port we were taken to the Kassadra Hotel in Ixia where we had two hours to kill before being taken to the airport and luckily enough our flight back to Manchester took off 20 mins early - pity we had to wait 45 mins for our luggage. What more can I say we had a fantastic time and will definitely go back again. If anyone wants any more info then please do not hesitate to get in touch!!

[lynn]

It's always so great to hear first timers falling in love with the place. Glad to had a good time.

[carol]

Lovely to hear that you enjoyed Halki so much Sunshinegirl, thank you so much for taking the time to tell us about your first impressions ;D You were very lucky to see the dolphins twice, in all the years we have been going we only saw them fleetingly once on a trip to Alimnia and I look for them every year.

[Liz]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it ..the tartan tableclothes ( avra ) is our favourite

[lisa]

So glad that you enjoyed it sunshine girl and welcome to the Ftenagia beach club. :

[papas]

Absolutely!

All-comers welcome!

Ftenagia is my home for a week and Nick and Angelo are practically Family!

Roll on July 1st!

[bobandjoan]

Thanks for the mention, Sunshinegirl. Great to know that you had a great time and it was a pleasure to meet you both. We adopted
Halkians are a friendly bunch and Ian & Shel and us enjoyed your company.
;D

[shel]

Bob and Joan,

Hope you enjoyed your last week on Halki (for this year anyway)! It was good to meet up with you, enjoyed our lunchtime sessions at Ftenagia(along with Sunshinegirl and Steve) and evening drinks in the bar (can't remember the name) but that may have something to do with the alcohol consumption!!!

We were just wondering how busy it got with the 'conference' on the 4th June, and also did the jewellery shop open before you left? Oh so many questions!

By the way, have sent a photo to you by email hope you have got it.