Introduction
Have you ever had a travel experience that didn’t quite go as planned? That’s exactly what happened to us when we applied for a Schengen visa at the Greek Consulate. Despite having previously obtained multiple visas with longer durations, this time we were only granted a 20-day stay for a 2.5-month trip. This unexpected change forced us to revise our travel plans and shorten our stay. As Turkish citizens, we are subject to limited visa durations and high visa fees. This not only affects tourists like us but also thousands of Turkish professionals, researchers, and businesspeople who travel to European Union countries for various purposes such as trade fairs, seminars, and conferences. The limited or non-existent visa durations have a negative impact on cultural, economic, and scientific exchanges. In this blog post, we will share our travel experience in Greece, including our accommodation, transportation, and the challenges we faced along the way.
1. Arrival in Greece and Accommodation in Halkidiki
On June 30, 2023, we left home at 4:30 am and arrived at the Ipsala Customs Gate. We crossed the border into Greece without any waiting and decided to stay for one night in the Halkidiki region due to the long journey. After browsing through Booking.com, we found a hotel with a nightly rate of €75. However, to ensure its quality, we visited the hotel in person and asked to see the room. The room was beautiful and brand new, so we negotiated with the owner and managed to get a rate of €60. It was at this point that we realized the commission charged by Booking.com, which was around 30% of the total nightly rate. This experience left us feeling taken advantage of as we had made all our reservations through the platform.
- Booking.com offers a wide range of accommodations in Greece, but travelers should be aware of the commission fees charged by the platform.
- It is recommended to visit the hotel in person before making a reservation to ensure the quality and negotiate for a better rate.
2. Exploring Halkidiki and Dining Experience
Getting around in Halkidiki can be a bit challenging due to narrow and winding roads. Despite the short distance, it took us a long time to reach our accommodation in Neo Marmaras. We noticed that the area was crowded with cars from Turkey, Bulgaria, and Serbia.
During our stay, we had dinner at a crowded and elegant restaurant by the beach. Unfortunately, the food did not meet our expectations, and the prices were quite high.
- Travelers should be prepared for narrow and winding roads when exploring Halkidiki.
- It is advisable to research restaurants and read reviews before dining out to ensure a pleasant experience.
3. Journey to Lefkada and Accommodation Experience
On July 1, 2023, we woke up early and set off for Lefkada. After crossing the border, we had to pay approximately €200 in toll fees for the highways.
We stayed in Lefkada for three nights, but unfortunately, it didn’t leave a lasting impression on us. While the sea was beautiful, the beaches charged €20 per day for two sunbeds and an umbrella, with no additional services included.
- Travelers should be prepared for toll fees when traveling on highways in Greece.
- The beaches in Lefkada charge extra fees for sunbeds and umbrellas, so it’s important to budget accordingly.
4. Accommodation Experience in Lefkada
Our accommodation in Lefkada was at the Athineon Hotel in Nydri. The hotel was nice, but the internet connection was unreliable, and there was no safe in the room. We were assigned a ground floor room, which fortunately didn’t have any noise issues. The hotel’s location was convenient, just a 5-minute walk from the town center. During our stay, we discovered a restaurant called Mamma Mia, which served delicious seafood at reasonable prices. The owner of the restaurant had previously worked in Germany and had a fondness for Turkish people. There was also live music performed by a local band, adding to the overall ambiance.
- The Athineon Hotel in Nydri, Lefkada offers comfortable accommodation with a convenient location.
- Mamma Mia restaurant is highly recommended for its delicious seafood and lively atmosphere.
5. Journey to Kefalonia and Accommodation Experience
On July 4, we took a ferry from Lefkada to Kefalonia. The ferry ride from Vasiliki port to Fiscardo port took approximately one hour, and we paid around €60 for the journey.
During our stay in Kefalonia, we booked the Sunset Beach Apartments. Although the hotel was located 15 minutes away from the city center of ARGOSTOLi, it was a bit difficult to get back to the hotel at night due to the dark and poorly lit roads. The hotel itself was relatively new, but the bathrooms were outdated, and using the toilet was inconvenient. The hotel was situated right next to the airport, so the noise from departing and arriving planes was noticeable. Luckily, there were not many flights during late hours, so it didn’t disturb our sleep. The room rate of €97 per night did not seem justified, and in comparison, a 3-star hotel called Ionian Plaza Hotel in the city center offered a rate of €114 per night, including breakfast. Parking was not an issue on the island, but if we were to visit again, we would definitely opt for a hotel in the city center.
- The Sunset Beach Apartments in Kefalonia offer a comfortable stay but may not meet the expectations of all travelers.
- Consider staying in the city center of ARGOSTOLi for better access to amenities and attractions.
6. Exploring Kefalonia and Dining Experience
Kefalonia had relatively better roads compared to other regions we visited. The beaches were beautiful, and the city center resembled popular tourist destinations in Turkey. However, the prices for meals were quite high. Based on the recommendation of the ferry ticket sellers, we decided to try a village known for its seafood. The dining experience exceeded our expectations, and we had the opportunity to try iskorpit fish for the first time, which was delicious.
- Kefalonia offers stunning beaches and picturesque views.
- Travelers should be prepared for higher prices when dining out in tourist areas.
7. Journey to Zakynthos and Accommodation Experience
On July 9, we boarded a ferry from Kefalonia to Zakynthos. The ferry ride from Pessada port to Agios Nikolaos Katastari port took approximately one hour, and we paid around €65 for the journey.
During our stay in Zakynthos, we booked Casa Zante by Karras Hotels. This newly built hotel was in a good condition,The next day, we toured the city, then we went to Dedeağaç and had our last meal there. The seafood we had in Dedeağaç was incredibly delicious and the prices were the cheapest compared to all of Greece. After waiting for about 2 hours on the Greek side, we returned to our country. Overall, it was a great trip. Would I go to this destination again? Not sure, and if I do, would I go by car? Definitely not. It’s fine not to go to Lefkada, as you can see that everyone has the same opinion when you go there. Kefalonia is a place worth visiting, but once is enough. Zakynthos is beautiful too, but I wouldn’t go there again as there are too many British tourists, it has become like Marmaris. Hotel accommodation app: https://www.booking.com/ Journey planning app: https://www.viamichelin.com/ Ferry Company: https://www.rome2rio.com/
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