I come from the land down under.

by **Brian Tate** » 14 Feb 2008, 23:22

G'day All,

Yes, I know, not another b...... Aussie! Guilty! My wife, Marilyn (58),and I(62 but who's counting) are seriously contemplating our first visit to Symi either this September,or the following May; these seem to be the better months so far as temperatures and crowds are concerned. We backpacked through Europe together in 1979 (became engaged in Amsterdam)including a month in Greece. On a budget that time it was pensiones and camping grounds. However this time we will be enjoying a bit more comfort.

Marilyn and I have decided, with retirment villages looming, that we need to start doing those things we have always wanted to do so we have started to draw up a 'bucket list' (apologies to Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman) and naturally Symi is right up there.

So, you can expect a few questions from us as we start to foramilse arrangements.

Regards from Terra Australia,

Brian

by **Allan** » 14 Feb 2008, 23:30

Hi Brian and welcome to the chat page.

Do join in the chat and ask any questions you like we'll be happy to help.

by **Joanie** » 14 Feb 2008, 23:30

Welcome Brian and Marilyn,well you'll get all your questions answered here.You'll love Symi try for this September a few of the members from here are going then.We have a few members from Australia who come on regular so you should feel quite at home.Where in Australia are you Brian?

by **Kyriako** » 14 Feb 2008, 23:31

Welcome Brian, you can be assured that all your questions relating to Symi will be answered here. I've only been to the island once, but you're amongst people who've been here 20+ times. The Symi Visitor Office will also anwswer any questions you have about travel arrangements and accomodation. You may even bump into a few of us out there, so have fun!

by **Anthony** » 14 Feb 2008, 23:33

Welcome to the site - and you've obviously got good taste if Symi is top of your 'must visit' list!
:D 8-) 8-) :D

It seems that you're aware that there are several Aussies among our regular contributors. You'll no doubt be hearing from them soon! :geek: :geek:

by **symivisitor** » 14 Feb 2008, 23:59

Hi Brian,

Ask away mate!

by **Dave** » 15 Feb 2008, 00:05

I suppose it depends what you want to see and do.
I love Symi as does my wife, Gail.
But, it does depend on you as people - and what you want to see/do. For us, Symi is a total delight. I feel sure that you will get good information and help here.
And, because of the proximity of Symi to Rodos(Rhodes) you will have a great gateway to the rest of the Dodecanese, the Cycladic Islands ........ well, what you want is there.
The only bit of advice - and this is appropriate for anywhere - is that YOU must visit and decide. Recommended accommodation, tavernas, bars etc., etc.. are a matter of personal taste. What is one man's meat is another man's poison !
On Symi - as other places ( but unlike some resorts in Greece that cater for the 18 to Idiot) - it is all great .... never come across a taverna/estoratio/bar that I wouldn't re-visit .........not one !
Giallos can be a touch busy when the day boats from Rhodes are in port, and can be a little "Precious" at certain times of the year, but otherwise, right on the money!
Chorio, Pedi, Nimborio - just fine ( timing, my boy, timing).
Just go, accept that it is what it is - and above all, relax and let the island take away the troubles of the world. And - if you are not "moved" by the sight of Giallos as the boat turns into the harbour as dusk falls - you have no soul !!!!!!!
A tip - as the boat approaches Symi, go up on the highest viewpoint of your boat. As your possible disillusionment at the slightly barren island makes you wonder what you've done, the delight of seeing the harbour kicks sense into you ! Please .... relax and enoy it all.
It's a personal thing ...... there are better parts of Greece ( but not many and hard to find) and there are worse ( easier to find !)
But Symi - especially at dusk looking at the harbour from say, the Haritomeni restaurant roof terrace, priceless!

Enjoy it all ! :geek:

by **Kon** » 15 Feb 2008, 00:26

Hi Brian and Marilyn welcome to the SV page ,i too am from Australia in Melbourne its good to have a few more Aussies aboard ,enjoy guys. :geek:

by **Ozzie Geoff** » 15 Feb 2008, 02:19

G'day folks. I'm from Perth, where are you from? :?:

Planning your holiday is the best part...go on and enjoy it.
I'd recommend late sept over may...you are likely to meet some very odd, but fun people in late sept.

by **Brian Tate** » 15 Feb 2008, 02:34

Thank you all. As I suspected from reading past posts on the forum, you all seem very friendly and welcoming. We live in 'beautiful Ballina by the sea', a coastal resort town on the far north coast of New South Wales in Australia, about 20 minutes drive from popular Byron Bay.

Our next decision regarding our proposed Symi trip is what part of Symi to stay in - up the top in the old town, down the bottom at the port-side, or halfway up(which of course sounds the most sensible); all seem to have their advantages. We like walking, although we are not mad hikers and we just LOVE dining, drinking (within reason) and socialising, all of which appear to be very popular in Simi. Also, we would like to hear recommendations on which are the better places to stay, given that we probably only need a studio, or one bedroom apartment.

Suggestions most welcome.

Brian

by **Ozzie Geoff** » 15 Feb 2008, 02:42

What a great neck of the woods you live in, Brian. :geek:

As for your Symi holiday, its a toss of a coin..up or down. Its a personal choice and probably stems from your first visit...up or down. Get the drift?
You just want basic accomodation, so long as the bed is comfortable, its clean and you have your own bath/toilet. Lets face it you really only just sleep there and prepare for the evening.
The crew at Symi Visitor can help with accomodation. travelling either may or sept is in your favour as they are not peak times so accomodation would not be a big problem.
Keep in touch... 8-)

by **Kon** » 15 Feb 2008, 04:56

My own personal favourite place on the island to stay is Yialos harbour ,we stayed in a place called the Nireus which is located on the front of the harbour next to the clock tower ,we had an ocean view room with a balcony and you can watch the luxuary boats come in to dock ,in the evenings after a nice stroll along the harbour you can relax with a drink infront of the Nireus dining area situated on the harbour .You can leave your window shutters open during the night to get a cool breeze of the water.

The island is abuzz with life most of the year so finding something to do would not be a problem.Wendy ,Nikos and Adriana are great hosts at the SV office so they will be more than happy to point you to the right direction.

Now as you know we have rules for visitors on the island ,you must post up pictures from your trip

by **hilarias** » 15 Feb 2008, 06:24

Welcome Brian. I to hail from Australia, Sydney. What a beautiful part of Australia that you live. We often have our annual holidays in Evans Head so know the area very well.
My thoughts reiterated by all above.

by **Richard** » 15 Feb 2008, 12:11

Welcome, Brian. Very glad you found your way here and we will all try and help although each of us has wildly differing views and preferences. Not sure about "halfway up". I see that you like walking but, with 381 steps (counted twice) from the Harbour to the Rainbow, it can be a pain popping out for a quick beer in either direction and even worse returning. See assorted, unfortunate stories elsewhere on this site.

by **Kojak** » 15 Feb 2008, 17:24

Welcome Brian!

As Richard said - don't stay halfway up unless you like climbing steps! Chorio has more atmosphere and there are plenty of places to eat and drink. Yialos can be a bit busy during the day but you only have to walk round the corner to get away from the day boats. At night it's much quieter and you'll be spoiled for choice for bars and tavernas. September is a good time to visit as the summer heat is off. The only drawback is that you might bump into some of us!

by **maziemoo** » 15 Feb 2008, 18:48

:) :) ..well hello Brian and Marilyn and a big big welcome.. :) :) . I see my friends here have made lots of useful suggestions and comments to you already.

Aside from the excellent accommodation that can be organised through Symi Visitor :) , I book mine through Kalodoukas Holidays who have varied types of accommodation including a few studios available. If you google them, you can view all properties and Frances :mrgreen: and George :mrgreen: are very helpful and accommodating :) .

I like to stay in Yialos because I enjoy sitting on my balcony and watching the comings and goings in the harbour :mrgreen: which as already pointed out can be quite hectic with day trippers. I prefer Chorio for eating out because it has a sense of local community and there's usually an opportunity to enjoy some of the local musical talent :D :D .

But as Dave says, it is a matter of personal preference, however I think it's unlikely you'll be disappointed if you choose to visit so do give it some serious thought.

I'm one of the early May and late Septemeber crowd. I discovered Symi :mrgreen: in May 2006 when I first travelled with friends, since then I've come back on my own and this next trip will be my 5th with another planned for later in the year.

by **Richard** » 15 Feb 2008, 20:57

I didn't know that there was musical talent in Chorio, Maz. Where can I see them?

by **maziemoo** » 15 Feb 2008, 22:01

At Lefteris next to Rainbow bar.....the talent

comes in the guise of a very handsome Greek who not only can sing and play guitar but is extremely easy on the eye :mrgreen:

!

by **Ange** » 15 Feb 2008, 22:55

Hi
Welcome to the site! Sure you'll love Symi, we have only stayed in Yiallos area though we go up the Kali Strata most evenings, so it wouldn't make any difference to us, all Symi is beautiful!

by **Dave** » 15 Feb 2008, 23:58

Sums it all up really - we can't all be wrong, surely ?

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