Which Greek island for a family holiday?

There was an article in the Telegraph the other day which might be useful to read regarding Greek islands

www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/family-holidays/the-best-family-friendly-islands-in-greece/

It does depend where you are staying. I was just outside Funchal, great hotel, but built into the cliff and the wind howled on the balcony sometimes. I did a trip to the south coast that seemed to be much more sheltered and warmer. We had real storms and rain on a couple of days, they were quite spectacular. There was a beach on the South coast -think it might have been man-made. It will have changed so much annodomini not the least because of the tunnels that now enable transport all over the island. The tour guide told me EU money paid for the tunnels and they opened up some places where boats used to be the best way of getting to Funchal.

Anyone been to Paxos I've heard by someone who has gone there for a number of years it's really beautiful and not yet touched by tourism. He goes in June and it's really hot then.

It may have changed in the 30 years since I went with my children to Madeira. Although it's a lovely island, great for walking and gardens, it is not good for beaches. The only one we found was of black volcanic sand and not much fun for kids. The climate is a bit unpredictable but the temperatures fairly even over the course of the year. We were there over Easter and the weather was disappointing.

What about Madeira after Christmas then trisher?
We're going to Jersey with some friends end Sept/Oct and have seen a local company doing a 3 day trip to Edinburgh Nov or Dec

Loved Madeira-great place for a winter holiday. I was there in November, rained a couple of days and some bits are windy, but warm enough to sunbathe and swim sometimes. Centre of Funchal is fascinating and the gardens are amazing.

Newquay We stayed in Funchal in Madeira. Lovely bays, stunning views, lovely flowers etc and our hotel overlooked the Atlantic. However, I was surprised at how built up Funchal is, a bit of a concrete jungle until you get to the pretty seafront places. Anyway, back to the Greek Islands.....

Not really (see oldgoat above). The larger ones such as Crete are reasonable but the smaller ones close down completely because ferries are unreliable/cancelled. I was once in Zakynthos in the last week in October as I left the hotel was packing up, moving all the potted plants etc. My flight had some of the holiday reps on it (apparently they are booked on the last flights to any UK airport just to get them home). The weather isn't awful, just a bit unpredictable although the Greeks think it is cold!

So are the Greek islands a good place to go in Winter please?

Thanks Katyk-we've visited Santorini too but, funnily enough, wouldn't want to spend too long there, lovely though it is. Looking forward to visiting Corfu some time.
We have used Monarch often and have always been pleased, certainly with their flights.
Am a terrible sailor so any island that needs a ferry is out for me old goat
A neighbour, who can see DH is a very good gardener, has said to us that he ORDERS us to go to Madeira!

The Greek Islands are beautiful but if you plan to travel to one by ferry be prepared for delays and cancellations due to high winds. We missed the first two days of a trip to Naxos because it was too windy for the ferry to set sail, but eventually left Piraeus when the wind dropped to force 8! I was really green by the time we arrived and never been so glad to be back on land.

I'm a bit late with this but we'vebeen to a few Greek Islands, my favourites are Corfu and Santorini. If it is of any help Newquay we've just come back from a Monarch holiday in Madeira - Monarch were very efficient.

Well that's it-done and booked.DD1 found a lovely place in Peurto Pollensa, just the sort of thing we like and then Monarch came on stream with cheap(er) flights so we paid a deposit this afternoon for 11 days end Aug/Sept NEXT YEAR!
Very exciting. And still have holiday in France THIS Aigust to look forward to.
We are so grateful that we are well enough to go AND that they want us to go with them too.
The 18 year old said this afternoon she loves us all going together-long may it last?
Thank you all for your suggestions of Greek islands.

We went to Kos some years ago, staying on the quieter North East coast, and we enjoyed it; cycled up and down the coast, walked in the mountains and found some lovely little untouristy villages. It was extremely hot, even in late September though. It wasn't overdeveloped at that time, but there was a lot of building going on at the time, so it's probably changed now. I got the impression then that everything shuts down in October when they all went off and picked their olives!

I have never been to a Greek island but would love to go - is it a good place to go in February or some part of the winter?

Well you can but try! Puerto Pollensa is lovely, I just hate Majorca airport as we once had to run through to catch a flight as it was so disorganised at check-in and it seemed like we ran for miles to get to our gate. I needed another holiday after that! (I'm not very fit) (which all my other posts seem to confirm - ie: dolly mixtures and eating anything after surgery lol).

While we've all been looking at Greek islands DD1 has been looking too and come up with. . . .peurta pollensa Mallorca!
Honestly you tries your best! Lol! ?

Menorca is one of my favourite islands too Newquay.

I've only been to Kefalonia and Thassos. Kefalonia is lovely and Thassos is nice too (although we went in late April/early May when the evenings were slightly chilly and some of the amenities were closed).

My son really likes Rhodes, and I've heard good things about Skiathos too.

Paros, beaches, tavernas, not too expensive.

so many to chose from! zante, corfu my favorite is naxos, very very peaceful, or if you have loads of cash Skiathos. All will be roasting in summer holidays tho.oh Kos too.Yes i am Mad on Greek islands lol

Can't find an emoticon with a green face Crafty cat!
Thank you all for your recommendations.
Good old (!) GN

Sitting on gorgeous small beach in Pefkos Rhodes as I write this. Been to a lot of islands & loved them all although Zakinthos too English for us. Lots of small children in resort & sea safe here.
Corfu is lovely but then they all are. Cephalonia probably the most beautiful. We fell in love with Samoa & nearly bought a place there before redundancy put paid to that dream. I have to say we have had the best Greek food here in Rhodes but also very good in Corfu. Children will have a wonderful time but do take note of temperatures in High summer. 37 today & getting hotter. May.June & Sept better & we had very warm weather in Oct too. If course it depends on school holidays too if they are of school age.
Oh well time for a quick swim I think.

I would recommend Corfu, it is greener than the other Greek islands, with some lovely beaches. The village we stay in is gorgeous, with a really long mostly sandy beach...not going to tell you where, though, as i don't want to encourage you to bring children to such a peaceful place and spoil my peace!!

Another vote for Alykanas/Alykes on Zakynthos. Some good info here;

www.shortieweb.com

If you want pure beach Zante is good. If you would like some sightseeing and history Rhodes- probably down near Pefkos- you can still visit Rhodes Town for shopping etc. Crete but go for the less crowded places. Lefkada area is very unspoilt but difficult to get to. If you really want a different experience try Symi. You fly to Rhodes and ferry to Symi. But it isn't a party island, beautiful beaches some only accessible by water taxi,some with just one taverna and empty beach. Symi town is very hilly, lots of steps but the views are fabulous.