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| Paxos |
| A peaceful heaven |
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| Gaios, the picturesque capital of Paxos. |
Paxos, or Paxi, and its sister Antipaxos are two tiny islands just south of Corfu that offer a glimpse of Greece before tourism, industry, and, even, modernity. Covered with about half a million ancient olive trees and with tiny coves of crystal clear waters, this is where you come to really get away from it all.
Paxos has only 2-3 hotels, and even those are somewhat moderate facilities. The island's visitors stay mainly in villas and apartments that are controlled and managed by a few UK-based companies and a couple of local travel operators. As a result, Paxos has remained quiet, clean, and even upscale, since most holidaymakers do not rent a villa for their holidays.
The main attractions here are Gaios, Logos, and Lakka, the three fishing villages on the island's east coast that offer a postcard-perfect locale for a Mediterannean holiday. Most of the visitors here spend countless leisurely hours having grilled fresh fish dinners and slowly sipping coctails by the quays of these three delighful hamlets. There is not much else to do anyway. Mogonissi, at the southern tip of the island, is also recommended, as are Avlaki and Vokaitika on the west coast. And that's about it.
The island is covered with olive groves and there are discernible paths criss crossing it, which makes for really pleasant walks and hikes. Lastly, many visitors choose to take boat rides to Antipaxos, about 15 minutes away, home to the two islands' best beach. Corfu Town is about an hour away by flying dolphin, which makes for a pleasant one-day visit to Greece's most beautiful city. |
| The Highlights |
- The three fishing villages, of Gaios, Logos, and Lakka.
- Kipiadi beach and Mogonissi.
- The beach at Antipaxos.
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| We Recommend |
- Hike the paths across the island, through endless olive groves.
- Take a one-day trip and visit Corfu town.
- Relax in one of the pleasant restaurants and bars, by the water, at Gaios, Logos, or Lakka harbors.
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| We Do Not Recommend |
- Coming here without having reserved accomodations, especially during July and August, when, it seems, half of Italy has descended on the island.
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| Read our users' reviews... |
| A paceful heaven??? |
Maybe Paxos is a heaven on earth for its inhabitants, and specifically those who are in the tourism business, since the exorbitant prices faced by visitors to the island combined with the minimal or non existent level of services, make them richer every year to the detriment of the rest of us. Most restaurants on the island offer rude manners, tiny portions and excruciatingly slow service. Furthermore, in many cases, they serve pre-frozen meat; when you point it out to them they tell you that the indication "fresh" on the menu is a ... typo! Cafes do not serve a glass of water with coffee and if you dare ask for water you are likely to get an answer along the lines of "you better go to the mini market and buy a bottle because we charge a lot and then you'll complain about the cost"!
Lastly, the road network is in terrible condition. The roads are narrow and full of potholes. Access to most "heavenly" villas and accommodations is hard. In addition, local drivers have no respect for other drivers. If you happen to be driving and a local drives up behind you he is liable to flash his headlights, honk until you speed up to his satisfaction - in a narrow road where 20 mph is already risky, and, after they surpass you, they often yell at you.
I recommend Paxos to people who really don't mind squandering their money.
Liza Tsakou, Greece
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| What a shame |
We were thinking about taking a vacation to Paxos (where one of us spent a holiday a few years back and still remembers the rude locals). Reading the previous Review we realized that things haven't changed, therefore we will choose to go somewhere where Greeks are welcome and where Greek hospitality is heartfelt. What a shame for such a naturally endowed place to be thus defamed by its inhabitants.
Maria Roussou, USA
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| Useful Information |
| The country code for Greece is 0030 (from the US and Canada: 01130). |
| Police Station |
| The police station is in Gaios. Dial 100 for emergencies. |
| Tourist Agency |
| Pax Island Travel in Gaios arranges for tickets, rooms, car rental, etc. (26620 32589, in the winter 26620 32405, katrine@otenet.gr). Paxos Thalassa Travel in Loggos arranges for tickets and rooms, and in addition offers a variety of cruises around the island, to Antipaxos, to Parga, etc. (26620 31662, 26620 31333, www.paxos-holidays.gr). Routsis Holidays is a full-service travel agency run by the very friendly Grammatikos brothers, in Lakka (26620 31807, 26620 31162, 26620 31138, www.forthnet.gr/routsis-holidays/) |
| Foreign Press Outlet |
| Paxos is a tourist area and there are foreign press outlets in all 3 major towns. |
| Internet Cafe |
| These days there seem to be Internet cafes everywhere. Many travel agencies offer Internet access, and not only to their clients. |
| Car Rental |
| The travel agencies above will arrange for car, motorbike, and moped rentals. |
| Bank |
| There is an Agricultural Bank branch in Gaios, with an ATM, and a rep office of the National Bank. It handles all major transactions, such as money transfers, cash advances on credit cards, and money wires. Banking hours are Monday through Thursday 8am-2pm and Friday 8 am-2.30 pm. |
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